Morehead/Atlantic Beach – November 2023
Hank, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that inshore anglers have found speckled trout starting to push in, and a bunch of sheepshead and black drum are being caught around the local bridges, docks, and rocks. Nearshore anglers are finding the spanish mackerel pretty hit or miss. False albacore are off the beaches, and they’re hitting casting jigs. Bluefish have also been plentiful and should be sticking around as long as the bait does.
King mackerel fishing is decent, with the bite scattered from the beach out to 10 miles. Some of the biggest fish are coming from the east side of Lookout. Offshore action is beginning to pick back up with these water temperature changes. Some large wahoo have been weighed in, and the numbers will only get better when weather patterns lighten up and anglers have more opportunity to get out. Mixed in the offshore trolling action are sailfish and blackfin tuna.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that speckled trout action is just barely starting up. These weather changes have anglers thinking about trout, but the water temperatures are still a bit high to really see the strong bite. Keep an eye out for consistent water temperatures in the mid-60s to start finding fish in better numbers.
With plenty of bait still around, the red drum fishing has been really good. Anglers are targeting these fish back up in creeks where the shrimp are hanging out. Deeper areas around the inlet and Port are seeing some sea mullet and spot. Anglers are still seeing spanish mackerel, but most of that action is thinning out. Bluefish, on the other hand, have been plentiful and good-sized.
Schools of false albacore are scattered around, but most times these fish don’t want to stay on the surface long and are quickly spooked by boats moving towards them. The best tactic has been to get ahead of the schools and drift into them. Some nice king mackerel are still around, mostly on the east side. This time of year also provides the opportunity to catch the random wahoo that will push up onto these shallower ledges.
Tiffany Cox, El Sandoval, and Monte Sandoval, of Aberdeen, NC, caught a 25” flounder (released), a 24” speckled trout, and a 22” drum while fishing around the Morehead City port wall using live finger mullet. They were fishing with Capt. Lee Winkleman of Top Gun Fishing.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that the nearshore bite has included a good mix of bluefish, false albacore, and spanish mackerel. Anglers are having success targeting the surface-feeding frenzies around bait balls off the beach with Hogy metal jigs and Albie Snax.
Inshore anglers are looking for speckled trout to start moving into their fall haunts. Some of the many successful rigs are popping corks with live shrimp, MirrOlures, and Gulp shrimp on a jig head or under a cork.
A mix of red and black drum will be hanging around deeper structured areas, and they will be feeding on crabs, mullet, or shrimp.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that inshore anglers are finding good numbers of black drum and sheepshead staging up around hard structure in the ICW, creeks, or rivers.
These same areas are holding some speckled trout and scattered red drum, though they seem to be showing up in fewer numbers than we typically see this time of year. All the inshore species will find live shrimp to be their favorite bait, with imitation shrimp also having success.
Some good-sized bluefish and gray trout have started to show up inshore (and right on schedule). Target these fish near bridges and in deeper holes around the inlet.
Nearshore runs are finding false albacore, bluefish, and some of the final remaining schools of spanish mackerel.
Live bottom areas further off the beach are holding king mackerel and amberjack. Both species are mostly hitting live baits.
The offshore bottom fishing has been very good for grouper, triggerfish, black sea bass, and vermilion snapper.
Some nice wahoo and blackfin tuna are out at the break.
Allie Nichols, of Sanford, hooked this over-slot red drum near Core Sound using a Slayer SSB under a Four Horsemen cork. She was fishing with Capt. Joe Tunstall of Carolina Traditions Guide Co.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that the speckled trout finally have started showing up, and the numbers have been great for anglers targeting their typical fall haunts. Live shrimp can be a great bait choice for now, but as water temperatures cool, soft plastics will start producing just as well.
Anglers fishing live shrimp will open up the opportunity to catch black drum, sheepshead, and red drum.
Nearshore trips are seeing some schools of false albacore.
The king mackerel action has been a bit spotty. Decent numbers are being caught, but numbers have been a little below average compared to some past years.
Bottom fishing is strong in the 90-120’ range. Grouper might be closed, but there are still plenty of vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and some large black sea bass.
Offshore anglers see the cooler weather and know it’s time for wahoo fishing, and offshore runs will also produce scattered sailfish and blackfin tuna.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that when the opportunity has arisen, bottom fishing action has been really strong. Gag grouper have closed for the year, but triggerfish, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and a variety of other bottom dwellers can keep anglers busy and fill a cooler.
The wahoo bite has shown a decent increase in volume of bites with these temperature changes.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that when the opportunity to get offshore arises, the wahoo bite has been spectacular.
As conditions continue to settle, expect to see a bunch of wahoo, alongside scattered blackfin tuna and the occasional sailfish.
Bri, of Oceanana Pier, reports that a few spanish mackerel are being caught by anglers sight-casting plugs.
While spanish mackerel action will be slowing down, the bluefish are plentiful in the area and aren’t as affected by the late fall temperatures.
Bottom fishing efforts are producing sea mullet, some spot, and nice-sized pompano (to 2 lbs.).
