North Carolina Coastal Fishing Report: Mackerel, Blues, and More

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your June 14th, 2025 fishing report for Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina. Let’s get right to it. First off, the tides at Sunset Beach Pier are running with highs at 4:03 and 5:28 feet, lows at 0.61 and 0.79 feet—so decent movement for the surf and nearshore bite. Sunrise broke over the water at 6:03 AM and sunset will be at 8:22 PM, giving us plenty of time to chase fish all day. The weather’s shaping up good today, mostly light winds and warm temps, just like what Captain Jot Owens over in Wrightsville praises for this time of year. Fish are definitely on the move. According to Captain Experiences and Fisherman’s Post, we’re seeing big schools of Spanish mackerel and bluefish along the beachfront and just outside the inlets. The action’s especially hot on calm mornings. Throw a 5/8oz or 3/4oz metal jig—Stingsilvers or similar—right through the bait balls and get ready for explosive strikes. For bluefish, a fast retrieve is key to keep them interested. Trolling spoons behind planers or trolling weights is another surefire way to get into the mackerel and blues, especially if you up your speed to 7 mph or so—helps keep the blues from stealing your rig. Surf anglers are also mixing in some sea mullet and puppy drum, and if you’re soaking cut bait, expect to find a few red drum in the lineup. Bass fishermen, take note: bottom fishing’s a little slow right now, but things are picking up. Inshore, live shrimp, fresh shad, or finger mullet under a popping cork or Carolina rig is working great for reds and trout on days when plastics just aren’t cutting it. If you’re after something a little bigger, keep your eyes peeled for cobia cruising near bait balls or even sea turtles—word is, there’s a couple of nice cobia being caught off the piers. And for those hitting the sound, speckled trout and flounder are starting to show up more regularly. Hot spots? Try right outside the inlets for Spanish mackerel and bluefish—look for birds working the water. Surfside, the area around the piers and jetty rocks is holding good numbers of drum and mullet. Inshore, hit the marsh edges and deeper holes with topwater lures for redfish, or slow-roll swimbaits for trout. Thanks for tuning in—tight lines and good luck out there! Don’t forget to subscribe for more daily updates. 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.