North Myrtle/Little River – November 2026
Greg, of Dave’s Outpost, reports that speckled trout action is starting to pick up inside. The water temperatures are still a little warm, but when conditions finally settle as we move into November, the trout should be fired up.
Most of the big red drum are gone now that the bait has moved on out. Some fish are still being caught a little north, but the bite is about finished.
Off the beach, bluefish and spanish mackerel have been quiet. The bluefish might stick around, but spanish mackerel have mostly likely moved on.
Chris, of Fine Catch Fishing Charters, reports that some kings are in the 50-65’ range and can be targeted while pulling live menhaden over ledges or live bottoms. Anglers may stumble across some small amberjacks and barracuda while king fishing.
The nearshore bottom fishing in this range has produced gag grouper and American red snapper.
The Three Mile Reef is still holding a bunch of flounder. While the numbers of flounder are coming down, the quality has been great.
Keep an eye out for any spanish mackerel when running around nearshore.
Some bull drum (35-45”) are being caught around bait pods up and down the beach.
Inshore, black drum (14-18”) are around the bigger structures such as rocks or docks. Some lower-slot red drum are around the same areas.
Smaller striped bass are showing up under docks by the lighthouse.
The speckled trout action is firing up moving into November. Live shrimp will be the top bait option for these early season trout.
Curtis, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that red drum in November will be schooling up tighter in the backwaters.
Anglers are enjoying black drum action (18” range) when using shrimp up against docks, along deeper banks, and near structure.
Speckled trout are getting active, and live shrimp is the best option for the specks.
Nearshore reefs are holding flounder as these fish leave the inside waters and move out that way. A Carolina-rigged mullet will be best for the flounder.
Some gray trout are on the reefs, and they are being caught by jigging Stingsilvers or similar jigs.
Jim Bickerstaff, of Southport, NC, with a unicorn filefish reported as a pending NC state record. He caught the fish on squid in 120-150′ of water off Southport while fishing with Capt. Wally Trayah of Oak Island Fishing Charters.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that flounder are still around in large numbers, and they will strike anything from large live baits to soft plastics such as Gulp or Z-Man. Target the flounder in deeper holes in the backs of creeks.
The larger red drum will soon be heading back out into the ocean, but their smaller siblings will stay inside and start to school up in large numbers way back in the creeks. When finding the smaller reds, they will be hungry and strike at just about any bait thrown in front of them.
Black drum will get more active in the cooler weather. For the black drum, focus efforts on docks and deeper holes by using fresh shrimp on the bottom.
Speckled trout will be the main attraction during November. Live shrimp under a popping cork is very effective, but the fish will bite soft plastics almost as well. Look in the larger creeks and ICW for shell banks and the presence of bait or birds.
Bevan, of Chilly Water Fishing, reports that black sea bass are slowly moving into shallower water. The most consistent bite has been in the 80′ areas. As usual, cut bait options (such as squid) or jigs will entice strikes.
A little further out (100-120’), triggerfish and vermilion snapper are in the mix.
When trolling on the ledge, the main targets have been wahoo and blackfin tuna. Until the waters cool off significantly and the barracuda thin out, the better tactic has been high-speed trolling.
Aubrey Hunter, of Conway, with a gag grouper caught (and released) in 95′ of water offshore of Little River on a live menhaden. He was fishing with Capt. Bevan Hunter of Chilly Water Fishing.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that the cooler water is great for bottom fishing, and it pushes some species in shallower.
Anglers on the offshore bottom trips should find tons of vermilion snapper, rudderfish, black sea bass, and likely some small amberjacks.
For offshore trolling, look for wahoo to pick up in the Gulf Stream and king mackerel to be steady in closer to the beach.
The nearshore bottom fishing action has picked up in the 5-8 mile range, with tons of black sea bass and grunts around.
Josh, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that the cooling water temperatures are bringing some of the bottom species in a little shallower.
Vermilion snapper fishing has been great. Anglers have been catching a good number of scamp grouper in the 35+ mile range, with banded rudderfish thick anywhere from 40 miles on out.
Big gag grouper are all over the place.
King mackerel action is picking up with the cooling temperatures. Anglers can find kings nearshore when fishing over structure such as rocks or ledges.
This time of year, some blackfin tuna may be mixed in with the kings.
Ed, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing spot and a bunch of flounder.
Some red drum are around, as they love the water stirred up.
Anglers are catching bluefish on bait, and at times some sight-casting opportunities for bluefish and spanish mackerel have appeared.
