Morehead/Atlantic Beach – August 2026
Dave, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that nearshore anglers have been on a good spanish mackerel bite, with most of the bigger spanish showing up around Cape Lookout.
Further out, bottom fishing anglers have been catching a mixed bag of vermilion snapper, triggerfish, black sea bass, cobia, and a variety of groupers.
King mackerel fishing has been a little spotty, with most catches coming from the 20-mile range.
Offshore trolling action has slowed down, but anglers are still finding scattered dolphin and a few wahoo.
Inshore anglers are starting to find a better red drum action now that the bait situation has improved.
Flounder are all over the place, with some big fish being caught around the Port area.
Sheepshead fishing is another great option in these hotter months, with live fiddler crabs being the top bait option.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that some red drum are around, though they are scattered. These fish are moving around a lot this time of year, so really work through spots and target those areas you see signs of life (such as nervous bait or egrets stalking the bank).
King mackerel (to 18 lbs.) have been out in the 60’+ range.
Anglers are starting to see more false albacore out around Cape Lookout.
Some keeper-sized spanish mackerel (to 25”+) are showing up for anglers both trolling or casting off the beach.
A nice bonus has been schools of jack crevalle around the Cape, and they’ve been mostly moving in with the incoming tide.
Bluefish are everywhere, with the incoming tide bringing a good bite into the inlet area.
Anglers headed off the beach are doing well catching black sea bass and grouper starting in the 80’ range.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that the nearshore action is mainly focused on targeting bluefish and spanish mackerel, especially the jumbo spanish that are around. For the bigger fish, fishing live bait such as small shad or mullet will get the strikes you want. Scouting the surface for birds or surface-feeding frenzies allows for casting small metal jigs or spec rigs.
The Coleman Family, and Chad Lilley, Pher Turbyfill, and Jimmie Boyd, of Greensboro, landed this mahi 40 miles offshore of Beaufort trolling a ballyhoo on a Sea Witch.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that the inshore bite for red drum and speckled trout has been a bit tough. There is one key: if you are an early riser, there has been a decent topwater bite at sunrise. After that first early hour or so, the fishing action becomes much more scattered with tactics switching over to fishing live or cut baits around structure and along grass lines. Anglers fishing artificials can also find some action with a wide variety of lures, from spoons to soft plastics on jig heads or under popping corks.
Anglers fishing nearshore and around the inlet have been seeing some great numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish. Overall, the early mornings and late afternoons and/or either side of high tide seem to be the best times.
Decent numbers of king mackerel and jumbo spanish mackerel are starting to show up. Both species are mostly being caught on live bait.
Further out, bottom fishing remains steady on ARs and deeper live bottoms, with a good mix of gag grouper, triggerfish, vermilion snapper, grunts, and amberjacks out to 120’.
Once out at the break, anglers also have the possibilities of blueline tilefish, yellow eye snapper, jumbo gag grouper, and more.
There has also been a steady wahoo bite with a sprinkle of dolphin around if you can successfully fish through all the grass.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that grouper fishing has been spectacular when using a mix of live bait, bucktails, and various other jigs in the 65-95’ range.
Plenty of dolphin (to 30”) have pushed inside from the Gulf Stream, with the areas from 80-100’ being the most productive (but catches as shallow as 55’).
Structure in this range is holding king mackerel and a bunch of barracuda. For either of these species, focus efforts on the structure that’s holding bait.
Inside the inlet, the main tactic has been using live or cut bait to target red drum.
Flounder are both inside and outside the inlet. Inshore, the numbers might be less, but some big fish (to 10 lbs.) have been caught around the Port. Off the beach, the nearshore ARs have both good numbers and quality fish.
Up in the river, the bull red drum are starting to show up in better numbers.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that offshore trolling efforts are producing any mix of blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi, and sailfish. With the mahi especially, keep an eye out for grass patties or floating debris in the chance of finding those schools of bailer fish.
Gag grouper fishing has been excellent through the keeper season. With the season wrapped up, efforts will focus on targeting the grouper species you can still keep, as well as vermilion snapper and triggerfish. For this action, focus on covering structure in the 100-120’ range.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that anglers getting out on the break are finding that the wahoo and blackfin tuna are biting well, especially around the last new moon.
Most of the wahoo action is coming on wire pin rigs with Sea Witches or Ilanders, and the blackfin tuna are more honed in on birds and green machines.
Decent numbers of sailfish are around.
Anglers can’t discount running across some dolphin, thought the bite is really hit or miss this time of year.
Bottom fishing action remains excellent, with triggerfish and vermilion snapper biting well. As the water has been steadily heating up offshore, it seems both species have pushed out a little deeper.
Bri, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers throwing plugs off the end are hooking a few spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Those bottom fishing in closer to the surf zone are catching flounder, speckled trout, black drum, and some pompano.
