Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina Fishing Report - Daily
Podcast Episode Title: North Carolina's Fall Fishing Frenzy: Red Drum, Speckled Trout, and Mackerel Bonanza
As of October 7, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina is heating up, especially with the cooler mornings and stabilizing weather patterns.
### Weather and Tides
Today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 75°F and a low of 65°F. The winds will be moderate, blowing at about 10 mph from the northeast. Tides will be moderate, with the high tide at around 9:30 AM and the low tide at 3:30 PM. Sunrise is at 7:10 AM, and sunset will be at 6:45 PM.
### Fish Activity
The fall season is bringing a variety of fish into the area. Red drum, particularly the larger "old" reds, are starting to show up in greater numbers around hard bottoms and near the inlets. These fish can be targeted using fresh cut or live menhaden or mullet on Carolina rigs.
Speckled trout are becoming more active, especially in the backs of creeks and around deeper ledges with nearby structure like oysters or rocks. Live shrimp are the go-to bait for these trout.
Spanish mackerel and false albacore are also making a strong appearance nearshore, often around inlets, beaches, and nearshore artificial reefs. Casting small spoons like Big Nic Spanish Candies or using high-speed spinning reels can be very effective.
King mackerel are starting to move closer to the beach, with fish in the 15-20 lb range being caught from the beach out to about 8-9 miles. Natural and live baits, as well as spoons, are working well for these kings.
### Best Lures and Bait
For red drum, use Carolina rigs with live or fresh cut menhaden or mullet, and consider topwater plugs like MirrOlure Top Dog Jr’s or Top Pup’s in the early mornings or late afternoons.
For speckled trout, live shrimp under corks or on deeper ledges are highly effective. Artificial lures like Gulp Shrimp on Fusion Jigheads can also produce good results.
For Spanish mackerel and false albacore, small spoons and high-speed spinning reels are recommended. Look for surface-feeding frenzies and cast to these areas.
### Hot Spots
- Oak Island and Southport: These areas are seeing a surge in red drum and speckled trout activity. Anglers are having success around oyster beds, grass banks, and nearshore structure.
- Morehead and Atlantic Beach: The nearshore waters here are alive with Spanish mackerel, false albacore, and king mackerel. The shoals off Cape Lookout and areas around Bogue Inlet are particularly hot.
Overall, October is shaping up to be an excellent month for fishing in North Carolina, with a wide range of species available and favorable weather conditions.
- Broadcast on:
- 07 Oct 2024
- Audio Format:
- other