Southport/Oak Island – June 2026
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are having a bunch of success catching whiting, with croakers and the occasional pompano starting to show up.
Pier anglers targeting the bottom are seeing all of the same surf species, in addition to bluefish, spanish mackerel, and some king mackerel.
Off the beach, trolling has been producing good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Inshore anglers are catching black drum and red drum, and flounder are moving back inside and showing up in early strong numbers.
The sheepshead action continues to pick up as more fish push inside.
Josh, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that some keeper-sized sheepshead are around both inside and off the beach. The quality fish are working their way back inshore from the offshore wrecks and are best targeted with fiddler crabs.
Red and black drum are mostly scattered around docks or oysters back in the creeks.
Off the beach, spanish and bluefish are all over the shallower areas from the shoreline out to the nearshore wrecks. Trolling is the best way to immediately start hooking up, with many anglers also rigging up their favorite metal jigs and sight-casting to schools that are feeding on the surface.
A couple of king mackerel moved onto the beachfronts, as signaled by catches on the piers, with the majority of the nearshore trolling bite out a bit deeper.
Surf anglers have mostly been catching whiting, with a few pompano starting to mix in. Sand fleas work well when they can be found, though beach nourishment has made them harder to locate. Grabbing bait shrimp is a good idea to have as backup to save time on the beach.
Johnson Lee, of Mount Pleasant, caught this red drum near Oak Island on cut bait. He was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Ian, of Fin Fisher Charters, reports that sheepshead numbers inshore have been picking up, with some better-sized fish moving in from their offshore wintering areas.
These higher water temperatures finally have the red and black drum more cooperative in their feeding habits. For both species, anglers should spend most of their time targeting hard structures with any mix of Carolina-rigged natural baits (such as crabs, menhaden, and cut mullet).
If headed off the beach, spanish mackerel have moved into area waters in strong numbers. Anglers can most easily put fish in the boat by trolling, but be sure to have some metal jigs tied on and keep an eye out for surface action.
Steve, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that targeting red drum requires being ready to move around, as these fish are really spread out. Bottom-rigged cut or live baits are producing the best action.
Flounder are starting to move inshore, and they will be a common bycatch if fishing any bait on the bottom.
Black drum action is getting better, with docks and oyster structure being the best spots to fish when soaking shrimp.
Bait has been showing up in much better numbers, with menhaden pushing through the inlet and mullet appearing in the creeks.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been catching a lot of spanish mackerel out along the beaches. It may be simple, but the Clarkspoon and planer combo works great and puts fish in the boat.
King mackerel continue to keep moving in and are getting fired up with the better numbers of bait around. For the kings, live menhaden has been the go-to option.
Grouper season opening up has been a nice addition, with anglers able to find keeper gags in the 80’ area.
Offshore is starting to come alive with the migration of mahi showing up. The mahi respond best to pulling small ballyhoo.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that nearshore trollers are seeing strong numbers of spanish mackerel. As a bonus, it seems like the bigger spanish have already moved in.
Along with the spanish has been king mackerel, with catches scattered from right on the beach on out.
Bottom fishing is a great option this time of year, especially with a keeper grouper season open. Start by targeting the deeper (100’) bottom structures and ledges for a mix of gags, scamps, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and amberjacks.
Offshore, a few cobia are also starting to pop up when bottom fishing in the 20-mile range.
Tom Janke, of Supply, reeled up this scamp grouper on a cigar minnow in 110’ of water offshore of Shallotte Inlet.
Steele, of Catherine Anne Sportfishing, reports that nearshore trips have been locked in on spanish mackerel and bluefish, with the classic Clarkspoon and planer combo being the most reliable way to get fish in the boat. Anglers can also keep some metal jigs ready for sight-casting when running across surface-feeding action.
King mackerel are working their way in. As the kings make their way closer, they are stretched out over a pretty broad area (from 5-20 miles).
Grouper season has been on fire since opening up. The most reliable bite of keeper gags are coming from the 10-30 mile range.
Trips to the Gulf Stream are producing some great catches of blackfin tuna, mahi, and a few wahoo.
James, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that a handful of king mackerel have already been landed, with several in the 30 lb. range (and up to 43 lbs.)
Sight casting efforts with Gotch plugs are producing a lot of bluefish, with spanish mackerel numbers steadily picking up.
Action on the bottom is mostly made up of croakers and a few whiting.
Ben, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers have been catching a lot of bluefish with casting jigs.
Spanish mackerel numbers continue to pick up.
The pier has landed a few kings, with the largest fish so far topping out at 31.6 lbs.
Bottom fishing efforts are producing whiting, croakers, and some spot.
