Fishing Forecast: Sunny Skies, Active Fish in Atlantic Off North Carolina

Today, November 16, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina is looking promising despite the recent stormy weather. Here’s what you need to know: ### Weather and Tides The morning started sunny and clear, with an air temperature of 74 degrees. However, winds are expected to pick up, coming in from the West-Northwest at about 9 miles per hour. High tides are at 2:24 AM and 3:24 PM, while low tides are at 8:52 AM and 9:24 PM. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a mix of fish activity, with several species being caught. Anglers reported catching bluefish, Spanish mackerel, triggerfish, small cobia, and sea mullet. In the morning, fish like bluefish, gray trout, Spanish mackerel, and sea mullet were common catches. As the day progressed, triggers, sea mullet, sand perch, and small croaker and flounder were also landed. ### Best Lures and Bait For catching the active species, topwater plugs like MirrOlure Top Dog Jr’s or Top Pup’s are effective in the early mornings, especially for red drum and speckled trout. Soft plastics, such as Gulp Shrimp on 1/8oz or 1/4oz Fusion Jigheads, work well as the day moves on. For Spanish mackerel and false albacore, small spoons like Big Nic Spanish candies on light spinning tackle are recommended. Live bait, including smaller mullets, mud minnows, and live shrimp, is also highly effective, especially for red drum and black drum. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots is around Jennette's Pier, where anglers have been catching a variety of fish including bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and sea mullet. Another good spot is the Cape Fear River, particularly the southern end, where speckled trout and red drum are active. The inlets and areas around oyster bars and shallow coves are also productive for red drum and black drum. ### Additional Tips When targeting red drum, use fresh cut or live menhaden or mullet on Carolina rigs with circle hooks. For sheepshead, mud crabs or big fiddler crabs around docks and hard structures in the Cape Fear River are effective. Keep an eye out for jumping Spanish mackerel and diving birds, as these indicate active fishing areas. Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water in North Carolina, with a variety of species active and plenty of opportunities to catch some impressive fish. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.