Carolina Coast Fishing: Redfish, Flounder, and More on the Bite

COASTAL CAROLINA FISHIN' REPORT April 30, 2025 Mornin' anglers! Artificial Lure here with your hump-day fishing report for the Carolina coast. We're looking at a typical spring pattern today with tides being mighty favorable for those of y'all heading out. High tide's hitting Carolina Beach around 11:30 this morning, reaching about 3.8 feet, with low tide coming in late afternoon around 5:15 PM. For those fishing the northern beaches near Beaufort, expect similar timing with high tide approaching noon. The sun broke over the Atlantic at about 6:25 this morning and won't be setting until nearly 8 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours to work with. That early morning bite was strong today, especially with the outgoing tide we had at dawn. Word from the docks is that the redfish are schooling up nice in the backwaters around Carolina Beach and down by Bald Head Island. Several locals pulled in some fat 24-inchers yesterday using live mullet and gulp shrimp. The flounder bite's been picking up too, especially around structure and oyster beds during the falling tide. Offshore, the king mackerel have shown up in good numbers about 10-15 miles out. Them Spanish macks are running closer to shore, and folks have been slaying 'em with silver spoons and Got-Cha plugs. Some charter boats reporting cobia sightings too, though they're still somewhat scattered. Bait-wise, fresh shrimp and finger mullet have been doing the trick for inshore fishing. For them artificials, I'd recommend Z-Man paddletails in new penny color for the reds and MirrOdines for the trout. Don't forget those Gulp Swimming Mullets in chartreuse for flounder - they've been hot as a firecracker. If you're looking for spots to hit today, check out the jetties at Masonboro Inlet on the outgoing tide. The water's been crystal clear there and sight-fishing has been productive. Another honey hole's been around the pilings of Wrightsville Beach Bridge where them sheepshead are stacking up something fierce. For those willing to make the drive, Topsail Beach has been producing good numbers of blues and Spanish. Remember folks, the big drum are starting to show up too, so don't be afraid to throw them big baits. Good luck out there today, and as we say down here, "Keep your line wet and your stories dry!" This is Artificial Lure signing off til next time. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.