Morehead/Atlantic Beach – August 2024
Hank, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that anglers fishing from the surf and local piers have been catching bluefish and a few spanish mackerel. Finding cleaner water conditions has really made a difference on how successful the bite has been.
Scattered red drum are feeding on cut baits cast from the sand.
Inshore anglers have been catching red drum and a bunch of flounder back in the marshes.
Sheepshead fishing remains strong, with most fish caught around the bigger structures and deeper docks.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are scattered all along the beachfronts.
King mackerel remain mostly in the 10-15 mile range.
Offshore runs have been producing sailfish, a few wahoo, blue marlin, and some white marlin.
Mahi are occasionally being caught, though the reality is it has been a rough year for them.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that speckled trout are staged up on the grass flats, with the higher tides being the better times. As the tide drops out, look for oyster rocks near the grass flats to hold fish. Finding good bait in whatever area you target has been key.
Red drum are in the same areas, and most of the reds are hitting live or cut baits.
Nearshore anglers are having success off the beach with spanish mackerel. The spanish can also be located just inside the inlet on incoming tides. Fish the edges of sandbars both inside the inlet and behind Shackleford Banks.
A lot of bluefish are eating right alongside the spanish mackerel.
Anglers soaking bait around the inlet are catching a bunch of sharks.
Dane Roberts, of Atlantic, NC, caught this speckled trout near Morehead City using a Vudu shrimp.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel fishing has been good both off the beach and just inside the inlet.
Plenty of good-sized bluefish are feeding alongside the spanish. Both species are being caught by either casting metal jigs to feeding schools or trolling spoons.
The red drum action has been hit-or-miss. Target grass banks in the backs of marshes, as well as oyster rocks and other structures as well.
The occasional speckled trout is mixed in. Most of the trout are staged up around docks.
Gray trout have been a good option when bottom fishing the Port area during times with lightly moving tides.
The bigger bridge pilings are holding sheepshead and black drum.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that a few king mackerel are in the normal summertime areas and are being caught while live bait fishing or trolling dead rigged baits.
With the closure of gag grouper, anglers have been spending far more time than usual targeting smaller bottom fish, including vermilion snapper, black sea bass, triggerfish, and other nearshore reef species.
Amberjacks are being caught on jigs, topwater plugs, and (when all else fails) live bait, and always keep an eye out for mahi when fishing over offshore bottom structures.
Nearshore trips are catching mostly spanish mackerel, bluefish, and sharks. Some nearshore king mackerel are mixed in around the inlets and ARs.
Inshore, the redfish bite has been fair both back in the marsh and along the ICW. This action is joined with a sprinkle of speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead. Natural baits typically out produce anything else in the summer.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that anglers continue to find good red drum fishing, with some speckled trout also in the mix. Low light hours in the early morning and evening are best.
Anglers continue to find spanish mackerel both in the inlet and along the beachfronts.
The king mackerel action has remained best out in the 80’+ plus area.
The nearshore mahi bite continues to be tough this summer.
On the bottom, the 100’ areas are holding vermilion snapper, triggerfish, black sea bass, and plenty of amberjacks.
Greg Brissette, of Raleigh, found this bull mahi fishing out of Morehead City trolling a skirted ballyhoo. He was fishing with Capt. Stephen Draughon of Bill Collector Charters.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that there have been sporadic action from mahi and blackfin tuna out on the break.
The bite for triggerfish and vermilion snapper has slowed down a little with the hot water temperatures, but they are still chewing and are a great way to put meat in the cooler.
Jason, of Ali-Kat Sportfishing, reports that spanish mackerel fishing is good out along the beaches or inside the inlet.
Inshore/nearshore anglers are still catching a few scattered (small) cobia.
On the beachfronts, some false albacore have just shown up.
A bunch of smaller king mackerel (to 10+ lbs.) are in the 15-18 mile range.
For bottom fishing, the best bite has been out around the Shelf, where anglers are finding good-sized triggerfish.
Bottom areas in the 90-110’ range are holding black sea bass and vermilion snapper. These same shallower bottoms are also loaded with amberjacks and barracudas.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that dolphin fishing has slowed down a bit, with the most productive action coming from targeting grass lines.
Blackfin tuna action has slowed a little as well. Anglers are marking fish out on the Shelf, but getting fish to bite has been a grind.
Wahoo are starting to pick back up, with a handful of fish being caught.
The sailfish bite has been stellar.
Bottom fishing action is centered around the triggerfish and vermilion snapper. Getting out into the 100’+ bottom areas is key to putting meat in the cooler.
