Cast a Line on the Crystal Coast
Cast a line off a pier or in the surf
Fishing is a popular pastime for the coastal locals. From the White Oak River, creeks and inlets to the surf there is opportunity and fun to be had. No matter what time of the year it is there is always a fish to be caught so bring your fishing rods because you just might land a big one!
The most popular time of the year for fishing is during the fall months. The water temperature is starting to cool down and the days are pleasant. You can fish in the surf, off a pier, or on a charter. Just get your fishing license and pick up some tackle and bait from the tackle shop, seafood market or grocery.
Going out to sea
For the Crystal Coast, charter fishing is not only a leisure sport. With the bevy of tournaments held here, our sparkling waters are a playground to many sport fishers around the world. Underwater beauties such as Giant Blue Fin Tuna, King Mackerel, Marlin, Sailfish and Wahoo are popular trophies. Smaller fish that are caught in deeper waters include Red Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish and Sea Bass. There are many charter services in the eastern end of the county that will offer half day, full day and speciality fishing charters. Speciality charters can include Sportsfishing, Shark Fishing and even Mahi-Mahi. Spending the day miles out into the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by water, just waiting for that “big one” to take a bite... vacation doesn’t get any better than that! Many charters include your meals for the day and can accommodate several people, so you can make memories with your whole family. Try a charter fishing expedition while you’re here for an exciting and unique experience.
September, October and November
Surf fishermen can expect to catch Red Drum, Flounder, Pompano, Sea Mullet and Bluefish. Live bait is best for catching Red Drum and Flounder. Shrimp and sand fleas are fantastic for Pompano and Mullet. Larger fish such as Spanish and King Mackerel can be caught from the pier during September and as we move through October Bluefish, Black Drum and the famous Spots are present and plentiful. November brings Speckled Trout and Puppy Drum to the surf and pier. Bottom fishing offers a variety of fish throughout the fall season including Puppy Drum, Black Drum, Bluefish, Puffer, Pompano and Sea Mullet. Shrimp bait for bottom fishing is the ever popular bait.
December, January and February
Fishing begins to slow down as the water becomes cooler. But when the winter is mild and the days are sunny, fish can still be caught. Fishing off the surf can bring in Sea Mullet and Puffer fish using shrimp bait. Red Drum can be found near the beachfront and inlets with Gulp bait or lures. Speckled Trout are mainly found in creeks and Jason says he has found they love Gulp Jerk Shads and Zoom Flakes.
March through August
Sea Mullet and Puffer fish start moving back in during the spring once the temperature starts warming up. During the early part of Spring, Skates are caught by using double hooked shrimp in the surf. Summer is a great time of the year for fishing and as the heat progresses there is always something different to be caught. During the early part of summer, surf and pier fishers can expect to land smaller Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and maybe a Flounder or two. Marie and Jason have the best luck with Red Drums in the marsh during the early summer and in the White Oak River near oyster bars using live bait. Mid-Summer offers Sea Mullet and small Flounder as well as possibly catching Tarpon with live bait from the pier.
Moving through late-Summer and into early Fall we see the Spanish Mackerel, more Bluefish, larger Flounder and Speckled Trout moving in. Using Gotcha Plugs and diamond jigs for small Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish is Jason’s recommendation, although Bluefish will bite at Shrimp bait as well! Summer is a great time of the year for bottom fishing. There is a nice variety throughout the season that includes Sea Mullet, Croakers, Pompano, Black Sea Bass, Gray Trout and Gag Grouper.
Fishing is wonderful way of passing the time and enjoying the outdoors. Fish are plentiful in our beautiful Emerald Isle area and no matter what time of the year there is always someone fishing. As you are planning your vacation, be sure to add your rods to the list of items to pack along with your fishing license. If you don’t already have one, that’s okay. The local tackle shop provides fishing licenses for a very small fee.
Public Boat Launches
- Emerald Isle Intracoastal Waterway 6800 Emerald Drive
- Morehead City Intracoastal Waterway (behind Crystal Coast Visitors Center) 3407 Arendell Street
- Cedar Point (Swansboro) Intracoastal Waterway 144 Cedar Point Boulevard
- Beaufort (Taylor’s Creek) 2370 Lennoxville Road
Where to get a NC Fishing License
Everyone 17 years of age and older are required to have their own individual North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License (NC-CRFL). Anyone, regardless of age are required to abide by the states’ recreational size and possession limits. Some licensed piers such as the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier and Oceanana Pier require you to purchase a pass to use their facilities and because of this their pass may cover your NC-CRFL.
The Reel Outdoors
7802 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle
K&V Grocery
307 Mangrove Drive, Emerald Isle
Chasin’ Tails Outdoors
613 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach
Freeman’s Discount Bait & Tackle
108 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach
Also: Wal-Mart, KMart or Dick’s Sporting Goods in Morehead City!
