Bonito Blitz and Redfish Riches Off North Carolina's Coast

Artificial Lure here with your fresh fishing report for May 11, 2025, covering the Atlantic Ocean waters off North Carolina. The early May bite is simply on fire right now, both inshore and along the surf. Warmer temps and stable weather patterns mean more days on the water, and it feels like the true start of summer fishing. This week has seen great catches across several target species, with Atlantic bonito, Spanish mackerel, and redfish at the top of the list. Redfish are settling down nicely, making them prime targets for casting artificial lures in the creeks and backwaters[1][3][5]. Along the nearshore reefs, ledges, and inlet mouths, the bonito and Spanish mackerel action is as good as it gets in May. These fish are busting the surface in feeding frenzies, and anglers throwing spoons like the Big Nic Spanish Candy lures in 1/2-ounce to 1.5-ounce sizes are getting plenty of bites. High-speed spinning reels and low-profile baitcasters are the go-to setups, but fly anglers in the 7 to 9 weight range are also having a blast[1][5]. Mixed in with the mackerel and bonito are some false albacore and lots of bluefish; just be prepared, as sometimes there are more bluefish than you bargain for. There have also been reports of small king mackerel showing up, so double-check your fish for legal size before keeping any[1][5]. In the surf, action has picked up for black drum and striped bass, especially on sand fleas and other natural baits. The creeks and rivers are holding speckled trout, and while the keep limit is closed until July, catch-and-release fishing is strong, especially around points and creek mouths using topwater plugs and soft plastics[2][4]. For today, sunrise was at 6:05 am and sunset will be at 8:05 pm. Tides are running strong with an early morning high, creating some ideal current for inshore and surf action. The weather is set to be pleasant, with light winds and highs in the low 80s, which should help keep fish active all day. Best lures right now are metal spoons, flashy jigs, and topwater plugs early and late in the day. For bait, sand fleas, shrimp, and cut mullet are pulling in drum and stripers from the surf. Hot spots to try include the nearshore artificial reefs just off Wrightsville Beach and the inlets around Carolina Beach. Inshore, check out the creeks near the Pungo and Neuse rivers for specks and reds. That’s your report for today from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.