Swansboro/Emerald Island – November 2026
Morgan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that even with all the winds, bluefish and spanish mackerel have remained active in the surf and even better from local piers.
A few pompano are holding in the surf as well for anglers fishing smaller bottom setups. These same setups will also produce a mix of sea mullet, spots, and croakers.
A few smaller speckled trout are showing up in the surf with the water temperatures cooling down. Anglers looking to target the trout will do well throwing Zoom soft plastics or MirrOlures.
Back in the sound, the bite is mostly scattered puppy drum and smaller speckled trout. In November, the trout in particular should really start to pick up and become the main focus.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that speckled trout have started moving into the creeks and rivers as temperatures cool off, though overall numbers are still a little low this early in the season. Anglers are having the best success with artificial baits, but the trout can’t turn down a live shrimp under a float.
Some red drum are scattered about in the sound, but most of the reds are out in the surf zone after following the bait out. The better red drum action has come from targeting the residential drum that stay up in the rivers and creeks. Look for areas where bait is plentiful.
Off the beach, gray trout, bluefish, black sea bass, and some spanish mackerel should be holding around the nearshore reefs before they head offshore. For all of this action, the top two tactics are jigging bucktails and casting metal jigs.
Josef Himes, of Emerald Isle, NC, with a 32″ black drum reeled in from the Emerald Isle surf. He hooked the fish using a whole shrimp.
Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that the cooler temperatures are firing off the speckled trout bite. Anglers have already been catching a bunch of smaller trout around the inlets, and moving into November, the area will enjoy the best trout bite of the year as the water temperatures get into the 60s. Live shrimp is still the best option, if you can find the right sized bait, but live mullet will also work well.
Red drum (mostly mid-slot to over-slot) are scattered up against grass lines in the marsh as they move their way out into the surf zone.
Black drum fishing has been a strong option. A deep hole with nearby structure is the best type of area to target, and cast out a half or whole dead shrimp.
Jacob, of Southern Tides Fishing Charters, reports that live shrimp (if available) will be the best bait option in November for anything swimming in inshore waters. The list of possible targets includes speckled trout, red drum, and black drum. Rig the shrimp under a slip cork, and set the depth as close as possible to the bottom. Use current to your advantage, and drift the cork down banks and channels near inlets and in creeks.
For targeting black drum and sheepshead specifically, there will also be good action around the larger hard structures, such as bridges or docks. At these areas, though, expect better success with bottom sweeper jigs rigged with shrimp or crabs.
David Rudd, of Aberdeen, NC, caught this 50 lb. wahoo near the Swansboro Hole using an Iland lure rigged with a medium ballyhoo. He was fishing with Capt. Cody Garner of Reel Time Charters.
Scott, of King Mackerel College, reports that king mackerel fishing was getting really good before the blow, and anglers expect the king bite to pick right back up when conditions finally settle. Typically, the area sees good king action right through November, and with water temperatures where they are, the expectation is that it will be true this year, too.
The better target areas will be in the 30-70’ range, and this time of year is a full-on live bait bite, as long as the bait sticks around.
Nearshore anglers should keep an eye out for schools of false albacore showing up. This fishery provides some fun sight-casting action when surface-feeding frenzies pop up.
Offshore, the wahoo action will be picking up in November.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that the king mackerel bite on the beach this fall has been as good as it can get, with some bigger kings in the mix.
Anglers have also been getting a shot at a sailfish on just about every other trip, with the occasional blackfin tuna around. For all nearshore trolling, anglers are mostly using live menhaden (with a bluefish in the spread, too), especially when targeting a larger class of fish.
Offshore, the wahoo fishing has been really good, with big blackfins mixed in. For this bite, it’s mostly pulling ballyhoo under a variety of skirts, with a crystal/blue color pattern always a solid choice.
If targeting blackfins specifically, drop the wire and use 80 lb. fluorocarbon and run the ballyhoo naked. It can also help to drop back some chuggers or squid to bring attention to the spread.
Moving into November, the king mackerel bite should stick around, but the fish will start following the warmer water as it pushes more offshore with each passing cold front. As the live bait becomes harder to find, break out the dead baits, such as cigar minnows, ballyhoo, or ribbonfish, and the slower trolling speeds will still work best.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that good numbers of speckled trout are in the surf. These aren’t the big trout, but it’s good to see any trout moving in after last year’s tough winter.
Bottom fishing has been producing good-sized but scattered pompano (to 2+ lbs.), spot, and sea mullet.
Both black drum and red drum have been showing up in better numbers.
Some false albacore are breezing by the pier for those looking to sight cast plugs.
