Fishing the NC Coast: Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Tides on December 26, 2024

If you're heading out to fish in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina today, December 26, 2024, here's what you need to know: ### Tides and Weather Today's tide times for Atlantic Beach are as follows: High tide at 3:47 AM with a height of 3.65 ft, low tide at 10:22 AM with a height of 0.59 ft, high tide again at 3:55 PM with a height of 2.6 ft, and low tide at 9:50 PM with a height of 0.26 ft. Sunrise is at 7:12 AM and sunset is at 5:02 PM. ### Fish Activity December is a great month for catching bigger speckled trout and redfish, especially with the colder weather fronts. These species are particularly active during this time. You can also expect to catch black drum and trout in the sounds and bays. ### Catch Reports Yesterday saw a good number of speckled trout and redfish being caught. Anglers reported successful catches in the sounds and bays, with some notable catches near the shorelines. ### Best Lures and Bait For saltwater fishing, some of the best lures to use include paddletails, gold spoons, shrimp lures, and jerkbaits (or flukes). These lures are versatile and can attract a variety of fish. If you're fishing from the beach or shoreline, a paddletail is a good choice. For fishing from bridges or piers, a shrimp lure is recommended. Match the size of the bait to what the fish are feeding on in your area[3]. ### Hot Spots Some of the best spots to try your luck include the sounds and bays around North Carolina. Specifically, areas like Lake Tilley and High Rock Lake for freshwater fishing, and Lakes Gaston, Norman, and Badin Lake for a mix of freshwater and brackish water species. For saltwater fishing, the shores around Atlantic Beach and the nearby piers are excellent spots. ### Additional Tips Pay attention to the tides and adjust your fishing strategy accordingly. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times to catch fish. Make sure to check your gear before you leave the dock, and be prepared for varying weather conditions. With the right lures and knowledge of the tides, you should have a productive and enjoyable fishing trip today. Good luck This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.