June 11 Atlantic NC Fishing Report - Mackerel, Cobia, Tarpon & More

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your June 11, 2025, Atlantic Ocean North Carolina fishing report. We’ve got a classic early summer setup working along our coast today. Sunrise was at 6:02 AM and you’re looking at sunset around 8:25 PM, so there’s a long window for bending rods. Tides at the beaches are favorable for that morning bite—first low tide hit at 2:18 AM, with the first high rolling in by 8:00 AM, and another low at 2:10 PM before the evening high at 8:28 PM. If you’re working the Atlantic Beach area, you’re synced up pretty close, with the first high at 8:04 AM and the second low at 1:49 PM, so plan your moves around those swings for best results, especially for inshore and nearshore fishing. Weather-wise, we’re in that typical June pattern. Local reports suggest variable clouds with a chance of showers midweek, but don’t let a little dampness keep you off the water—often, fish are more active just before or after a summer squall passes. Light winds are making for smooth runs out to the nearshore wrecks and jetties. The fish have been on the chew! Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still stacking up in big numbers all along the coast. These speedsters are a blast on light tackle—throw small metal spoons, Got-Cha plugs, or Clarkspoons for fast action, and don’t be shy about trolling in the nearshore channels. Several local captains reported strong topwater bluefish action as well as flounder hitting soft plastics and bucktails bounced along the bottom. Flounder are particularly thick just off the beach and around the nearshore artificial reefs. If you’re ready for a tug-of-war, the cobia bite continues out around Cape Lookout and at the inlets, particularly near bait balls and cruising around rays and turtles. Live menhaden is the bait of choice, but big swimbaits will get looks too. June also marks the start of our tarpon sightings for those looking for that silver king off the beach. Red drum are schooling up, especially on calm, sunny days. Hit edges with topwater lures like the MirrOlure Top Dog Jr early and late, or rig up some Berkley Gulp or Powerbait Bonga Shrimp on a jig for working deeper midday. Black drum remain steady around jetties, docks, and oyster structure—shrimp is the go-to bait, and keep your leader short. For hot spots, set your sights on the AR-315, AR-320, and AR-330 reefs near Morehead City, along with Cape Lookout for a mix of cobia, flounder, and gray trout. Closer to shore, the Wrightsville Beach jetties and marsh creeks have been excellent for reds, black drum, and the odd sheepshead. That’s the latest from the water today. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for your daily dose of Carolina fishing action. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.