"NC Fishing Report: Brace for Erin, But Backwaters Boiling with Reds, Trout, and Flounder"

This is Artificial Lure with your local Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina fishing report for Wednesday, August 20, 2025. First, let’s talk weather. Conditions are dicey today as Hurricane Erin is expected to pass offshore, bringing strong northeast winds at 30 to 40 knots, gusting up to 50, and seas running an intimidating 18 to 23 feet according to the National Weather Service. There’s a tropical storm warning in effect, making it flat-out dangerous for most boats, especially near the beach and outer bars. Crews are advised to stay in port until these conditions ease up, expected by the weekend. Afternoon thunderstorms remain likely through the week, so if you’re set on getting out, be ready to come back in early. Now, on to the tides: At Atlantic Beach, this morning’s high tide rolled in at 4:15 AM at 3.4 ft, dropping to a low at 10:23 AM. The afternoon brings another high just before 5 PM. Planning around these tides is crucial—if you can find a safe marina, aim for the hour span around first light or near dusk when the water movement peaks and the bite’s naturally hottest. Sunrise came at 6:29 AM, with sunset set for 7:50 PM. Despite the rough seas, late August means hot fishing if you stay safe in the backwaters or protected sounds. According to Carolina Sportsman, inshore fishing around the Carolina coast is firing for red drum (redfish) in the flats and estuaries at dawn and dusk. Speckled trout and flounder are active in brackish creek mouths and shaded channels during early and late hours, shifting deeper as the day heats up. Anglers using live finger mullet and menhaden, soft plastics on light jigheads, or even popping cork rigs have found steady action. Artificial shrimp baits and Gulp! soft baits have been standouts for the trout and drum. Offshore, on calmer stretches this week, king mackerel have been schooling just outside the breakers, chasing bait balls. Mahi-mahi and wahoo have been coming off weed lines and debris in bluewater about 30 to 50 miles out, but today’s sea state makes that a no-go. When it settles, troll with blue/white or pink skirted ballyhoo and keep some live menhaden ready for the smoker kings. For bottom fishing, grouper, snapper, and black sea bass are coming off reefs and wrecks—best bets are cut squid or live pinfish, if you can hang on in the chop. Recent catches in quieter days before Erin rolled in included limits of flounder (though remember, flounder season kicks in September 1), slot reds, and respectable trout from the soundside, and some doormat flounder up to 6 pounds reported from nearshore structure. The piers have had steady whiting and bluefish action on bloodworms and cut mullet when water conditions allow. A couple hot spots to watch for once the storm passes and things calm down: - **Shackleford Banks and the Beaufort Inlet flats:** at first light or dusk, drifting live mullet along the grass edges for reds and trout. - **Bogue Inlet Pier:** when the surf settles, expect pompano, spot, an This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.