Carolina Beach – October 2026
Kevin, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that anglers had a lot of success over the flounder keeper season, with big flatfish (to 10 lbs.) in the mix. Both live bait and soft plastics produced strikes in a wide variety of spots, with structure (such as docks) being key.
Inshore efforts are producing decent red drum action, with a few speckled trout also starting to show up.
Some sheepshead are holding on hard structures in the ICW and Cape Fear River.
Nearshore anglers are finding a good mix of spanish mackerel and bluefish off the beach.
Once out in the 5-7 mile range, expect to see some king mackerel around.
Anglers running offshore are mostly targeting the bottom fish bite.
Surf fishing efforts are producing that late summertime mix of mostly whiting, croakers, and bluefish.
Christian, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been catching decent numbers of red drum on both live baits and soft plastics. Most of the reds are ranging from 19-22”, with some scattered 25-30” fish mixed in. Shell bottom areas up against grass edges have been the best spots to target.
Flounder bit well and could be found along shallow grass edges during higher tide periods and then creek mouths during lower tides. Finger mullet rigged on a jig head worked best.
A few small black drum are starting to show up in the creeks and around structure in the river. Fresh or frozen shrimp works well, as does live shrimp (if you can get them). Black drum action can also come from mud crabs and fiddler crabs.
Tommy, of Mungo Fishing Charters, reports that live finger mullet and menhaden rigged up on Carolina rigs have been the best bet for landing the scattered red drum that are around. On the calmer days, success can come from throwing topwater plugs in the morning, and then switching over to soft plastics on jig heads throughout the day.
Speckled trout are starting to mix in the action, especially while topwater fishing in the mornings. After those first couple hours, DOA shrimp on jig heads will keep the trout cooperating.
Mason, of Grand Slam Fishing Charters, reports that flounder season was productive for many anglers in the area. This season, the rising tide was better, as it brought in slightly cooler and cleaner water, and fishing structures such as docks was great whether in the ICW or river.
Anglers targeting red drum are finding the action to be hit or miss depending on the day. The weather is transitioning to cooler temperatures, but the target areas are similar to summer patterns—look around oyster banks and grass lines with current.
Drew, of Strike Inshore Charters, reports that anglers are targeting red drum around structure such as oyster beds or deep holes with good water flow. Bait being present is really the key to success, and live mullet has been best.
A bunch of flounder were around for the short keeper season.
More speckled trout should show up as water temperatures cool off.
Tony, of Reel Teal Charters, reports that more black drum are showing up around structure in the Cape Fear River. Live shrimp has been the best bait for targeting them.
Flounder season produced plenty of keepers, and there will still be many around well into fall.
The red drum action is getting better, especially when fishing around hard structures such as docks or oysters. Live or chunk bait is the way to go, whether that’s mullet or menhaden.
Michelle Brick, of Apex, NC, caught this 18″ flounder using a bucktail with a Gulp bait in the Carolina Beach area.
Barry, of Family Ties Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite near the beach is going strong. The best bet for putting fish in the boat is pulling #00 Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers, but be rigged to sight-cast when you can find fish breaking the surface as they feed on bait pods.
The nearshore king mackerel bite is starting to heat up, with the best numbers out in the 10-15 mile range. The beach bite will be getting better each day now that bait is becoming more prevalent as it pushes out of the inlets.
Bottom fishing anglers are catching a mixed bag of large black sea bass, grouper, and a bunch of snapper.
Offshore, the mahi bite is starting to fade out, but that’ll be replaced with wahoo and tuna.
Rod, of OnMyWay Guide Service, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is starting to pick up. A lot of smaller summertime fish are around, but a 18-20” class of fish are mixing in.
King mackerel are out in the 8-25 mile range, and scattered mahi are mixed in that same range.
Bottom fishing anglers are catching limits of scamps, reds, and graysbys grouper in the 30+ mile range.
Jumbo black sea bass fishing has been excellent, and mixed in are triggerfish and tons of vermilion snapper.
Out in the Gulf Stream, a few wahoo are showing up, and some sailfish are around.
Jeremiah, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers on the end were glad to finally see a push of king mackerel caught.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish action has been steady for those sight-casting plugs.
The most consistent bottom fish action has been quality sea mullet.
