Swansboro/Emerald Isle – July 2025
Jerry, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf catches are coming from the bottom and consist of croakers, a few pompano, some sea mullet, and the occasional bonus black drum.
If out on the beach early, there is some opportunity to cast at spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Inshore anglers are catching red drum and flounder with live bait, cut bait, and artificials.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports consistent red drum action, with fish scattered all through the marshes and river. Spinnerbaits, gold spoons, and scented soft plastics are enticing bites all day, with topwater plugs being a great option if out early or late. Cut or live menhaden or mullet are baits that should put a fish in the boat.
Anglers targeting docks and bridges with live fiddler crabs are finding sheepshead.
These same hard structures also hold black drum. The black drum prefer live shrimp.
Off the beach and over nearshore reefs are loaded with spanish mackerel. Sight-casting diamond jigs to these surface-feeding schools works well, with slow-trolling live menhaden being a great option when targeting the biggest fish.
Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that red drum fishing remains strong as the reds are scattered all over the area. They are hitting roaming schools of live bait. Cut bait (such as mullet and menhaden) on Carolina rigs has been effective as it allows these reds to hunt by scent.
The marshes, with rains likely being a factor, are producing much better than the river.
Black drum can be caught around deeper docks (with 3-4’+ on low tide). The shrimp will invite bait stealers, but perseverance can put fish in the boat.
Any deep water, especially areas with bait, will likely be holding bluefish.
Josh Lippy, of Swansboro, caught this 20″ sheepshead off a dock in Swansboro. The fish hit a live fiddler crab on a Carolina rig.
Jacob, of Southern Tides Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are just about everywhere. The main locations include back in the shallow bays, under docks, and around most oyster rocks. Carolina-rigs with smaller live menhaden or cut menhaden has been best. With summer patterns, fish an area for 10-15 minutes before moving on—keep on the move until finding a group of fish.
Black drum are around oyster rocks and docks. Live shrimp under corks or on Carolina-rigs has been the top bait. Fiddler crabs are also successful and hold up better to bait stealers.
Sheepshead can also be caught with this same tactic around bridges and docks. Fiddler crabs are usually the better option to better feel the bite.
Speckled trout are being caught with live shrimp in deeper channels and on the deeper flats closer to the inlet.
Flounder are everywhere and are hitting menhaden fished on the bottom.
Schools of bluefish (to 20”+) are in deeper channels and the inlet.
Spanish mackerel are schooled up along the beachfronts for anglers that want to head out of the inlet.
Runs out to the ARs and slow-trolling live menhaden can land king mackerel.
Dan Beal, of Richmond, VA, caught this sailfish on ballyhoo offshore of Morehead City. He was fishing with Capt. Jason Temple of Ali-Kat Sportfishing.
Scott, of King Mackerel College, reports that the recent Big Rock Tournament saw impressive billfish action in the area. Most of the catches came from lures rigged with smaller “dink” ballyhoo.
Anglers making the Gulf Stream run are catching mahi and wahoo, with most of the mahi out in the 300-420’ range. The mahi are tuned to smaller lures in blue/white or green/yellow color patterns, where the wahoo prefer darker colors, such as black/red or black/purple.
King mackerel are biting live bait closer to the beach.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are hitting Clarkspoons out along the beachfronts.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that king mackerel are on the move (here one day and gone the next) and the bite can be hit or miss. Live bait is the best option and also opens up the opportunity to hook amberjacks and cobia when fishing over artificial reefs, wrecks, and major ledges.
Anglers will also find large barracuda and sharks around these bigger structures.
Mahi are moving inshore and are scattering around, with catches coming anywhere from 12-20 miles on out.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts are mostly producing summertime numbers of croakers.
