Southport/Oak Island – August 2026
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that spanish mackerel are both off the beach and being caught from the piers.
Bottom fishing in the surf has been producing that summer mix of whiting, croakers, sharks, and the occasional pompano. The same is true for the piers.
Inshore anglers are catching a bunch of flounder when putting live bait in the water.
Red drum fishing has been a little hit or miss for anglers that are mostly targeting the ICW.
Some sheepshead are being caught with live fiddler crabs.
Josh, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that surf anglers are seeing that typical summertime mixed bag of whiting, pompano, bluefish, and small sharks.
Just off the beach, the spanish mackerel fishing action has been steady, with trolling spoons being the easiest way to locate schools and put fish in the boat.
Offshore trolling can be a little sporadic in these hot water conditions, but some blackfin tuna have been scattered offshore of the Tower.
Inshore, red drum are the main target species, with anglers finding fish using both natural (cut or live) and artificial baits.
Sheepshead are staged up around hard structures and are willing to hit a live fiddler crab.
Thad, Heather, and Grady Caldwell, of Oak Island, with a 34.8 lb. cobia caught on a live pogie offshore of Oak Island.
Ian, of Fin-Fisher Charters, reports that the arrival of those good sized (3-4”) finger mullet has really made a difference for targeting red drum. The redfish are scattered about in small groups, with docks and grass lines being the most productive areas.
Some speckled trout are around when fishing live shrimp under corks near the inlets and out into the ocean.
Other good target species in these summer months are sheepshead and black drum. Both can be found staged up under docks, and live fiddler crabs or shrimp can attract bites from either.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that summertime means a lot of bait fishing for red drum, and the drum action has continued to pick up now that finger mullet are around in good numbers and good sizes. The red drum are scattered in smaller groups in a variety of areas, so anglers will do best working down grass banks holding bait.
Plenty of flounder are around, and they love a live finger mullet fished on the bottom.
Anglers on the water early in the morning are getting some red drum action when throwing topwater plugs such as Rapala Skitter Walks. While red drum are the main target, some speckled trout (anywhere from 11-26”) are also mixed in.
Steve, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that good-sized finger mullet are everywhere, and this has helped fire up the red drum bite. Anglers are also able to get on some redfishaction with artificials, mainly if on the water in the early mornings or late in the afternoon. Topwater plugs make a great search lure, with popping corks rigged with a Vudu shrimp also having success.
A few more speckled trout are being found, with just about anything fished for reds having success with the trout.
Anglers are also producing bites by dropping live fiddler crabs around structure, such as docks or bridge pilings, for sheepshead and black drum.
Justin Nowak, of Southport, reeled in this speckled trout from the Holden Beach surf on a topwater.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that for those headed offshore, bottom fishing is the top option, with anglers mostly catching grouper and triggerfish.
A better class of spanish mackerel are starting to show up in the 3-4 mile range, and the classic Clarkspoon and planer combo has been producing strikes.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that a good class of big spanish mackerel (to 6+ lbs.) have shown up off the beach. The best tactic is fishing live bait (and dead bait) setups over structure in the 3-7 mile range.
King mackerel are on the deeper side of this range, though the majority of quality kings are out in the 25-30 mile range.
Mahi are pushed inside of the break and are showing up in the 25-30 mile range. Sailfish could pop up in these same nearshore areas.
The bottom fishing action continues to be excellent, with plenty of grouper in the 65-90’ depths. With the keeper season closed, anglers should continue to find some rock hind and graysby grouper.
Big black sea bass are on the deeper end of this range.
Getting out into 100-120’ opens up the opportunity to load up on vermilion snapper.
Steele, of Catherine Anne Sportfishing, reports that grouper fishing has been very reliable in the 80-120’ range.
Offshore trolling efforts have been producing some billfish, both sailfish and blue marlin, in the 80+ fathoms area.
Closer to the beach, spanish mackerel fishing is picking up in the 30-40’ range. The classic Clarkspoon and #1 planer is the best bet for generating numbers of fish.
Lisa, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are catching a bunch of whiting and some croakers.
Hopefully, spanish mackerel will move back in, as that bite hasn’t been strong since early July.
Steve, of Oak Island Pier, reports that pier anglers are mostly catching whiting and croakers.
Spanish mackerel were around up to the middle of July, so hopefully they show back up soon.
Anglers fishing live bait rigs only had one king mackerel in July.
