Bonitos, Spaniards, and Drum - May Madness on the NC Coast

This is Artificial Lure with your North Carolina Atlantic Ocean fishing report for May 25, 2025. We’re deep into May and the action along the coast is nothing short of electric. The weather has been cooperative, with temps in the mid-70s and light southeast breezes—not too hot, not too windy, and perfect for a day on the water. Today’s sunrise came at 6:11 AM and sunset will be around 8:02 PM, so you’ve got a good, long stretch of daylight. Tides are favorable: high tide hit at 10:42 AM with the next low at 4:26 PM, keeping that moving water which always helps the bite[5]. Nearshore and inshore, the stars of the show right now are Atlantic bonito and Spanish mackerel. Bonito are schooled up all over the area, especially on the artificial reefs like AR-315 and AR-320 off Morehead and Atlantic Beach. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers or deep divers is catching plenty, and if you want more excitement, casting 3/4 to 1 oz metal jigs or glass minnow-style lures right into the schools is the ticket. Spanish mackerel are coming on stronger every day; look for them busting bait on the surface near the inlets and beaches. The Big Nic Spanish Candy lure in 1/2 to 1.5 oz sizes remains a top choice, and high-speed spinning reels let you cover water and get those quick strikes[1][3][4]. Bluefish are mixed in with the bonito and Spaniards, often schooling just off the beaches. Jigging or casting spoons will put plenty in the box. Offshore, you’ll find blackfin tuna and the occasional wahoo for those running further out. In the surf and around the inlets, anglers are catching sea mullet and black drum on cut shrimp, with some keeper gray trout showing up as well. Red drum are throughout the marshes and starting to move upriver, with most caught on cut bait—though if you find clear water, try topwater plugs early or late for some explosive strikes[3][5]. The backwaters are a little muddy from recent winds, which can slow the redfish action, but the bite is still there if you’re patient and work those creeks and cuts. Hot spots right now include the AR-315 and AR-320 artificial reefs for bonito and mackerel, and the mouth of Masonboro Inlet near Wrightsville Beach for mixed bag action. Surf anglers should try Atlantic Beach or Fort Fisher, especially around the changing tide for drum and sea mullet. For bait, cut shrimp and sand fleas are producing in the surf, while live or cut menhaden and mullet are great for drum and bluefish. Artificial-wise, stick with Clarkspoons, glass minnow jigs, and Spanish Candy lures for the fast movers. That’s your report for today—tight lines, and may the big ones bend your rod! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.