Morehead/Atlantic Beach – December 2025
Rick, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that for inshore anglers targeting trout, live shrimp remains the top option, while hard twitch baits and soft plastics such as Slicks or Trout Tricks are producing well for artificial anglers. A wide range of colors will draw strikes, though pink and purple patterns have been especially popular.
Larger sea mullet are being caught by bottom fishermen in the Turning Basin.
In the surf, anglers are finding sea mullet, speckled trout, and some black drum.
Nearshore trips to Cape Lookout, particularly around the jetty and shoals, have produced red drum, speckled trout, sheepshead, gray trout, and black drum.
The king mackerel action has shifted farther offshore, with most catches now coming 20+ miles out.
Gulf Stream runs continue to deliver quality wahoo.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that the Cape Lookout rock jetty has been producing well, with anglers finding big gray trout (up to 22”), black drum, and speckled trout.
Inside, speckled trout are scattered from the bridges and Haystacks area to the backs of creeks. As water temperatures continue to cool, anglers should shift efforts upriver, targeting oysters and pinch points on falling tides. Artificials are favored this time of year, with soft plastic jerk shads on lightly weighted jig heads serving as excellent scout baits for both trout and red drum.
Red drum are hitting topwater plugs, gold spoons, and jerk shads. On higher tides, they can be found up on the flats, while low tides push them down over mud. The reds will stay aggressive until the first true freeze, at which point they begin schooling in larger groups and moving toward wintering areas.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout have been the main target. Smaller “spikes” are showing up throughout the marsh, while larger fish are being found in Adams Creek, creeks off the Neuse River, and around the Cape Lookout rock jetty.
The gray trout action has been steady in deeper structured areas, such as the Port, the jetty, and nearshore structure.
Sheepshead and black drum are holding around the jetties, with dead or live shrimp producing best.
Bluefish are still hanging around both just inside and off the beach.
Calm weather days offer excellent sight‑casting opportunities in shallow bays for red drum, with slow‑sinking soft plastics working best. Red drum schools can also be found cruising the surf zone.
Jeanna Ronko, of Havelock, pulled in this 43 lb. wahoo offshore of Morehead City using a ballyhoo. She was fishing with Capt. Jason Temple of Ali-Kat Sportfishing.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that speckled trout, red drum, black drum, gray trout, and sheepshead are all providing consistent catches. These species should continue to be the focus through December and January.
Creeks, docks, and oyster bars have been the best areas for targeting trout. In deeper areas with faster currents, live shrimp under slip corks or on Carolina rigs are preferred. For shallower banks and structure, soft plastics are the better option, allowing anglers to cover water efficiently.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that speckled trout continue to push farther back into the creeks and marshes, and they are settling into deeper holes with nearby flats where they can warm on nicer weather days.
Anglers are finding red drum and black drum around deeper inshore structure, with cut bait and shrimp producing well.
Offshore is providing keeper black sea bass in close (less than 15 miles out), as cooler water pushes them shallow.
Schools of red drum, including some larger bull drum, are being found around the shoals near Cape Lookout.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports a strong late push of sea mullet throughout the Turning Basin, with Sam’s Gitter Rigs tipped with shrimp or Fishbites bait strips producing steady action.
Speckled trout, red drum, and black drum have been biting well in larger mainland creeks during the falling tide.
Carolina‑rigged fresh dead shrimp are the go‑to for catching quality black drum (up to 10 lbs.), along with sheepshead, gray trout, and speckled trout, at the local rock jetties at Beaufort, Radio Island, and Cape Lookout.
Large black sea bass are moving in over structure in good numbers in the 15-20 mile range. Running 20-25 miles offshore adds vermilion snapper and triggerfish to the mix.
Most of the wahoo trolling action has pushed farther offshore.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that bottom fishing trips are producing strong catches of vermilion snapper and triggerfish in 80-120’ depths.
Blackfin tuna action has been very good for anglers running out to the Gulf Stream, while king mackerel are still biting well just inside of that zone.
Jason, of Ali‑Kat Sportfishing, reports that trips into the creeks are producing plenty of speckled trout, with many double‑digit fish days. About half of the trout have been in the slot, with larger fish up to 25” mixed in.
Off the beach, black sea bass provide a reliable winter option. Jumbo fish are moving closer in and striking a variety of jigs and cut baits.
Bluefin tuna are another exciting target as winter progresses. These giants will be migrating down from the north and staging around bait anywhere from just off the beach to 10 miles out.
Thomas Newman, from Virginia, drug in this blackfin tuna 15 miles offshore of Atlantic Beach on a strip bait. He was fishing with Capt. Cody Garner of Reel Time Charters.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that wahoo and blackfin tuna (and even a few sailfish) are being caught along the break in the 200-300’ depths. Blackfin tuna should remain a strong target throughout winter, while wahoo are expected to bite well through December.
Bottom fishing in the 100’ range has been productive, with vermilion snapper and triggerfish making up most of the catch.
Keeper black sea bass are beginning to move nearshore, with quality fish showing in the 60’+ depths.
King mackerel are still around, with most action coming in the 15-20+ mile range.
Bluefin tuna have already been spotted in the 10-15 mile range.
Bri, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are catching bluefish, with early mornings providing the best action. Smaller black drum are around and feeding primarily on shrimp. Bottom‑fishing efforts are also producing a mix of sea mullet, spots, and speckled trout.
