Swansboro/Emerald Isle – May 2025
Amit, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf fishing is picking up. Catches include black drum, sea mullet, pufferfish, gray trout, and bluefish. Shrimp on double-drop rigs has been best for all of the bottom fishing species, but some bluefish have been caught with casting jigs.
Inshore anglers are focused on sheepshead, black drum, and gray trout that are around some of the deeper structured areas.
Red drum and speckled trout are scattered in the catches, though most remain in winter patterns and have yet to move into the waterways.
Nearshore angling is active with Atlantic bonito and bluefish off the beaches. The nearshore structure is also holding healthy numbers of gray trout.
Spanish mackerel should begin showing up soon based on reports just to the south.
Anglers further out can catch keeper black sea bass over deeper structure (in 60-80’).
Gag grouper season opens at the start of May, and that same depth will produce keeper-sized gags.
Cobia begin to show up sometime in May, and they should also appear for offshore anglers that are bottom fishing.
Gulf Stream runs are producing blackfin tuna and wahoo, and once in May, the first mahi of the year should show up.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that red drum are deeper in the marshes and are feeding on crabs and mullet. Matching the hatch with natural bait is best, but when sticking to artificials, a 4” Gulp shrimp or paddle tail will entice some strikes.
Black drum and sheepshead are moving over deeper structure around creek or river mouths. Shrimp is the best bait option to target both.
Substantial bluefish are showing up on flats in the shallower creeks as they move in to spawn. They are biting larger (6”+) soft plastics.
Nearshore anglers are finding plenty of Atlantic bonito and some spanish mackerel stacking up just off the beaches. The typical tactics, both trolling and casting, are putting fish in the boat.
John Van Coutren, of Swansboro, with a 25″ red drum caught in the ICW around Swansboro using cut mullet on a Carolina rig. He was fishing with Capt. Matt Littleton of Friendly City Fishing Charters.
Jacob, of Southern Tides Fishing Charters, reports that large gray trout are available in deeper holes (15’+) near the inlets. Both metal jigs and cut shrimp are getting the job done.
When jigging metals, a number of bluefish are being caught in these same areas.
Some sea mullet are around, and they’re mostly being caught with pieces of shrimp.
Deeper docks and bridges are holding sheepshead and black drum. Shrimp has worked well, but with more trash fish showing up, switching over to sand fleas or fiddler crabs should be more productive.
Anglers looking to target speckled trout can find action in the river and creek mouths, with this scattered bite improving in areas closer to the ocean. Most of the trout are smaller (to 18”) fish.
Red drum have been slow to move out of their winter patterns. Mostly, they are still holding in bays and creeks closer to the ocean, but the reds have started showing up around docks in the waterway.
Off the beach is all about Atlantic bonito. Anglers are having a lot of fun jigging or casting metals to them.
Scott, of King Mackerel College, reports that Atlantic bonito are very active. Most anglers have been trolling 4-5” inch Yo-Zuri deep diver plugs and are awaiting the opportunity to fish live bait for some of the larger bonito.
Loads of bluefish have been sighted while trolling for bonito.
When jigging over shallower nearshore structures, anglers are landing puppy drum.
Those that have made the run offshore are finding Atlantic bonito, false albacore, and some king mackerel in the 20-mile range.
The king mackerel bite should kick off in May. These early kings are typically in the 10-20 mile range where water temperatures are around 68 degrees. Often, these first spring fish are in the 12-18 lb. range.
Chuck Belley caught this red drum near Bear Creek using a jighead with a scented soft plastic. He was fishing with Capt. John Parks of Early Riser Fishing Charters & Guide Service.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that Atlantic bonito have shown up in full force. Anglers have had success catching them in the 30-35’ range over rocks and other hard structure.
Some quality spanish mackerel are starting to be mixed in as well. When spotted on top, both species have been hitting 1/2 oz. diamond jigs. If trolling and scouting out schools, Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow deep divers work great. Anything with pink or chartreuse has been hot, with the color blue being a close second. Lighter tackle with 20-25 lb. test fluorocarbon leader helps in getting more bites.
Smaller king mackerel should show up anytime, with the first cobia moving in around bait balls at the same time. Being off the beach anytime in May means keeping a heavier setup with a bucktail jig and worm on hand, or a few live baits.
When the weather does not cooperate, red drum fishing with topwater plugs back in the marshes has been productive. Anglers can stay on the bite by switching to weedless, scented soft plastics as the day wears on.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishing action continues to improve with water temperatures working their way up. Anglers have been catching sea mullet (1-1.5+ lbs.), blow toads, black drum, and the occasional pompano.
Some bluefish have started to work their way in, and that fishery should really pick up as we move into May.
