Morehead/Atlantic Beach – August 2025
Rick, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that surf anglers are picking away at smaller bottom fish and a bunch of flounder. Bluefish and spanish mackerel are popping up within casting range from the sand, especially closer to the inlet.
Inshore anglers are finding good red drum fishing, with some speckled trout mixed in, and flounder are all over the inshore areas.
Sheepshead are being pulled off structure such as rocks and oyster beds.
From the inlet and out along the beach, spanish mackerel and bluefish have made a good showing.
Smaller king mackerel are close in, and they’re hitting the same trolling setups for spanish.
Anglers getting offshore are hooking wahoo, king mackerel, and some sailfish.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish are plentiful around the inlet on the incoming tides. Like clockwork, the high water cycle brings fish, and the bait and birds will show where to cast.
Nearshore anglers fishing structure in the 80’+ areas are targeting barracuda and amberjack.
Schools of spanish and bluefish are just off the beach.
The summer king mackerel should be moving in to the beachfront and over the nearshore reefs.
Inshore anglers have finally been able to find red drum, with most action being found up against shell banks with artificials. A bunch of shrimp showed up, and these shrimp likely got the redfish bite fired up. Using live shrimp as your bait works great, but expect to be feeding the smaller trash species as well.
There is always the chance to see speckled trout mixed in the action, especially when fishing with live shrimp.
Sheepshead can be hooked, but the reality is that hotter water and fishing pressure will require anglers to search in different areas, such as overlooked docks and oyster rocks.
Jeff Gaskill, of Morehead City, caught this mahi at the Rise offshore of Morehead City using a pink and green sea witch.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that spanish mackerel have finally turned on in the area. The spanish have been anywhere from the inlets out to the Cape. Good-sized fish (in the 3-5 lb. range) have been in the mix. Trolling Clarkspoons and live bait, or casting Hogy Epoxy jigs, have all produced bites. The best colors have been at least some green or pink, and the tide moving is another key part to the bite.
When pulling Clarkspoons, a few smaller king mackerel are being caught alongside all the spanish. The live bait crowd will also catch kings, with a better chance of a larger fish.
Inshore anglers are bouncing around in search of red drum that are scattered in the area. Moving around is key to finding the small pockets that are holding fish.
A bunch of flounder have been caught when targeting reds.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that bottom fishing has been producing vermilion snapper in the 85-125’ range. Mixed in this bottom action are triggerfish, porgies, and larger black sea bass.
Anglers have been enjoying a cobia bite on nearshore structure in the 60-125’ range. On almost every trip to this depth, a few have popped up throughout the day.
Amberjack are all over the bigger relief wrecks.
Mahi are scattered across the nearshore areas, with anglers mostly seeing them pop up in the 85’+ areas while bottom fishing.
Closer to the beach, the action is spanish mackerel, bluefish, and sharks. Trolling spoons behind planers has been the most reliable way to target the spanish and blues during these hot summer months.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that bottom fishing in the 80-120’ range and using Hi-Lo rigs tipped with squid or fresh cut baits is all it takes to put a variety of meat fish in the boat, including vermilion snapper, triggerfish, grunts, porgies, black sea bass, and grouper.
Anglers should consider keeping out a free-lined live bait or even a dead cigar minnow or ballyhoo for the chance opportunity that a mahi or big king mackerel swims by.
In the early mornings, the area has seen a sight-casting bite on spanish mackerel and bluefish around the inlet and Cape Lookout shoals. Birds can be really helpful, as they help locate the surface-feeding schools.
To avoid the heat, go out at night and target inshore structures such as bridges and docks with artificial shrimp for catches of red drum, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports that some spanish mackerel (to 4 lbs.) finally showed up in good numbers around Beaufort Inlet. A key to this bite has been to focus efforts around the incoming tide.
A bunch of smaller king mackerel are mixed in, with the kings being found from Atlantic Beach over to Cape Lookout.
Anglers fishing inshore are picking away at red drum and the occasional speckled trout while fishing live baits in deeper creeks (10-15’) off the waterways.
Offshore, some summertime wahoo (to 40 lbs.) are being caught in the 30+ mile range, and artificials have been out fishing ballyhoo.
Smaller mahi (5-6 lbs.) are occasionally mixed in the trolling action.
Live bottom and rocks in 105’+ have been giving up a bunch of large vermilion snapper (to 4+ lbs.).
Getting out deeper (180’+) has provided some large triggerfish.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports a decent push of dolphin have popped up all over the place, but the most consistent bite has been over nearshore structure and ledges in the 20-25 mile range. If pushing out deeper, watch for current edges and weed lines out along the break (600’+).
The wahoo bite has been a little hit or miss, with fish in as shallow as 200’.
Some blackfin tuna and scattered sailfish are around when finding a pocket of slightly cooler water out deep.
Bottom fishing has been reliable, with catches of vermilion snapper and triggerfish in the 100-200’ range.
