Swansboro/Emerald Isle – September 2026
Morgan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that nearshore anglers have found some big red drum while fishing around the wrecks and reefs off the beach. Trolling over these areas is producing scattered king mackerel.
Anglers can find plenty of flounder around when fishing live baits or jigging bucktails and soft plastics near the same nearshore structure.
Lots of bluefish and some smaller spanish mackerel are moving around from the beach on out to the nearshore ARs. Both species can be targeted most reliably by pulling Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers. Surface-feeding frenzies have been present, though, so make sure to have some metal jigs tied on to cast into the action.
Surf fishing is still seeing its summer pattern, where bottom fishing efforts are producing a mixed bag of sea mullet, croakers, some spots, and the occasional pompano or red drum.
Inshore anglers have been landing plenty of red drum, and this bite only continues to get better as temperatures cool and all the bait in the area gets even more active.
Some good-sized flounder are all over the inshore waters, and hopefully anglers can stay on that bite in the two-week keeper season.
Sheepshead can be hooked by those fishing crabs close to the bigger hard structures.
Plenty of bluefish can be found in the deeper water spots from the inlet all the way to the ICW.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that inshore anglers are catching red drum, speckled trout, and flounder by working open‑water bays with current, river mouths, and the ICW. Live mullet has been the top bait for the red drum in these areas.
Big live shrimp are producing black drum and sheepshead around structure.
Plenty of bluefish are just inside the inlets and back in the ICW channels.
Nearshore anglers are finding spanish mackerel, both by trolling and casting, but king mackerel remain further offshore.
Will Daniel, of Kannapolis, landed this 33” red drum in the Swansboro area on a cut pogie.
Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that red drum have been the main inshore target species. Moving around has been the key for finding pockets of these mostly 20-23” fish.
Shrimp have been showing up much better in the creeks, and putting a live shrimp on a hook has really opened up a variety of species. Anglers may have to work through some trash fish, but a Carolina-rigged shrimp can produce any mix of red drum, black drum, sheepshead, flounder, or trout on structure. Bridges are productive but busy, so try to find a good dock away from the crowds.
Live mullet has been another great option, and they’re mostly producing red drum (live or cut) and flounder (live).
Jacob, of Southern Tides Fishing Charters, reports that red drum remain the primary target inshore. Live mullet on a Carolina-rig is a top tactic for targeting marsh grass lines where the red drum are often hanging out. Cut bait can also have success, especially if the fish are being finicky.
Fishing live mullet on Carolina rigs will also produce some of the flounder that are plentiful in the area.
Anglers are starting to target speckled trout a little more (and with improving success). For the trout, a live shrimp under a bobber is the number one strategy.
Sheepshead and black drum can be found when targeting bridges, docks, and oyster rocks with fiddler crabs.
Scott, of King Mackerel College, reports that the king mackerel bite is still really scattered off the nearshore wrecks. The east side of Cape Lookout remains the primary target area of many of the king mackerel tournament anglers.
Offshore trolling efforts are picking up a little, with catches of wahoo and billfish releases.
Mahi are still spread throughout the offshore depths, and they have mostly been found under grass mats or any type of floating debris.
Wesley Cogdell, of Stem, NC, with a 21” flounder caught (and released) on a spinner bait in the Morehead City area.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that most of the king mackerel action is out deep (80-100’+ range), with the fish inshore and shallower being more of a random occurrence.
Some scattered mahi are still nearshore, with the range including anywhere from 10 miles on out to the break.
Closer to the beach, spanish mackerel are around in good numbers, with better quality fish now starting to show up.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish are around for anglers sight-casting Gotcha plugs.
As a bonus, little groups of small mahi were seen breezing by the pier, and though ultra-rare, the high water temperatures (86 degrees) and clean water conditions likely led to them to moving in.
Bottom fishing has included mixed bags of croakers, spot, and pompano.
