Morehead/Atlantic Beach – March 2025
Frank, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that anglers looking to get on the water have been able to find some black drum and sheepshead both inshore and out on the shallower nearshore reefs. Fiddler crabs won’t be around until temperatures warm up, but grabbing some frozen clams or sand fleas has been able to get the job done.
Black sea bass fishing has been good when you can get into the 20‑mile range. Cut squid wings are the top bait option right now.
Offshore, more action with wahoo and scattered blackfin tuna will come as we move into March.
Also in March, bluefish will start to arrive around the inlet, with some occasional sea mullet in the surf.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that moving into March, anglers look forward to red drum activity levels picking up. Scouting the surf zone and the shallower muddy bays are two of the top spots to be looking early in the season.
Bluefish should start showing up around the shoals.
It’s also advised to keep an eye out around the shoals for schools of citation‑class red drum that are moving back into the nearshore areas.
At this same time, the inlets will likely be flooded with pufferfish, sea mullet, and gray trout.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that with clear, cold conditions, being stealthy is one of the biggest keys right now. Red drum and the occasional speckled trout are skittish and slow, with cut bait or lightly weighted (1/16 oz.) shrimp artificials being the main bait choices.
A good option is to run out to the Cape Lookout jetty and target sheepshead and black drum around the rocks. Fiddler crabs and cut shrimp will work well for both species.
As water temperatures rise, we should see the annual influx of gray trout and bluefish, with the first fish moving in usually being a little smaller.
The nearshore ARs will start to see the arrival of gray trout, flounder, and (still) plenty of black sea bass.
Alison Temple, of Harlowe, landed this 26″, 6.2 lb. speckled trout in the Morehead City area using a Paul Brown Fat Boy. She was fishing with Capt. Jason Temple of Ali-Kat Sportfishing.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that March is usually a great time to run offshore and target wahoo, blackfin tuna, the occasional yellowfin tuna, and some late‑season shots at bluefin tuna.
Offshore waters in March also have some really good bottom fishing.
Action closer to the beach (inside 20‑22 fathoms) can vary a lot this time of year depending on water temperatures. When that inner limit of the Gulf Stream is closer to the beach, it’s possible to find some king mackerel, wahoo, blackfin tuna, amberjack, and false albacore while trolling along the temperature change.
Inside, the fishing can be much less predictable early in the year, especially with the closure of speckled trout. Red drum will bring most of the action from the backwater areas, with spoons, cut bait, and soft plastics all enticing some bites.
Anglers can also catch some sheepshead and black drum around docks and rock jetties with fresh shrimp or crabs.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that the black sea bass bite is the best option for putting some meat in the boat.
If you can run further offshore, some wahoo and blackfin tuna are scattered around.
Anytime in March, local anglers should start seeing the first gray trout and sea mullet moving into the Turning Basin.
Inshore fishing should also start to show better signs of life, with red drum, black drum, and some speckled trout in the ICW.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports that bottom fishing trips are one of the best options in March. Getting out to the deeper (120’+) areas will produce the better‑quality vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and big black sea bass.
Nearshore, anglers should be keeping their eyes out at the end of March for some (hopefully) early false albacore and Atlantic bonito working toward the area.
Locations from the inlet back into the Turning Basin should see an influx of sea mullet and smaller gray trout in March, with cut shrimp being best for both.
Anglers will also be looking for red drum fishing to pick up by targeting deeper structure in the ICW with cut shrimp.
Evan and Lee Shick, of Midway, reeled in this bluefish from the surf at Cape Lookout on cut mullet.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that there is a consistent bite on wahoo and blackfin tuna out in the Gulf Stream, with the best action coming from ballyhoo under blue/white Ilanders. If blackfin tuna are around, utilize some 80 lb. fluorocarbon leaders and consider running a cedar plug or green machine as well.
Closer in, black sea bass fishing has been the most reliable this winter. These fish thrive in the cold water and are being caught with cut bait, though artificials such as bucktails or metal jigs typically bring in the biggest fish. Look for structure where you find 55‑degree water, which for now has been out in the 60‑80’ range.
Jason, of Ali‑Kat Sportfishing, reports that the best bottom fishing in March is finding quality black sea bass in the 60‑80’ range, and getting out into 120’+ will open up the opportunity to add vermilion snapper and grunts to the box.
Triggerfish are also around, but the best fish are out even deeper.
Some wahoo and blackfin tuna are to be had out in the Gulf Stream.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that anglers getting offshore are finding some good black sea bass fishing in as close as 10 miles off the beach.
Based on some catches up in Hatteras, it won’t be long before local anglers see some king mackerel caught in the 15‑25 mile range.
When getting out to the break, wahoo and blackfin tuna make up the majority of the trolling bite, with the occasional sailfish a possibility in the coming weeks.
By the end of March, anglers should also start keeping an eye out for some early‑season Atlantic bonito to possibly show up.
