Springtime Fishing Bonanza on North Carolina's Atlantic Coast

Good morning from North Carolina’s Atlantic coast! It’s April 12, 2025, and the fishing action here is heating up as spring fully takes hold. Anglers are seeing mixed bags of action both inshore and offshore, with plenty of opportunities for passionate fishermen. Today's conditions include sunrise at 6:38 AM and sunset at 7:35 PM. The tide starts with a low at 3:25 AM, followed by a high tide at 8:55 AM, another low tide at 3:20 PM, and a final high tide at 9:14 PM. With tides playing a critical role in fish movement, plan your fishing around these times for optimal success. Weather-wise, it’s shaping up to be a pleasant day with mild temperatures and clear skies, perfect for anglers to hit the waters. The warming ocean temperatures are bringing various fish species into the coastal and nearshore areas. **Offshore Fishing:** Offshore anglers fishing out of Oregon Inlet are finding success chasing yellowfin and blackfin tuna, with many caught while trolling or jigging around deeper waters like the 500 line. Some anglers have also picked off a few amberjacks and bottom fish mixed into their catches. As water temperatures continue to warm, expect wahoo activity to pick up soon. Use ballyhoo or deep-diving plugs for these species. **Inshore and Surf Fishing:** In the Hatteras Island area, red drum fishing has been excellent, with both slot-sized and trophy-sized fish being caught from the surf. Some anglers are also hooking into black drum and sharks, making for exciting battles. Cut mullet and dead shrimp on Carolina rigs are working well in these areas. Blowfish, puppy drum, and even an occasional flounder have been caught around Ramps 49 and 55. **Hotspots:** For inshore fishing, backwaters near Avon are offering solid red drum action, while speckled trout can be caught using MirrOlures. Near Atlantic Beach, fiddler crabs are delivering great results for sheepshead around structures like the High Rise Bridge. For nearshore anglers, keep an eye out for Atlantic bonito near Wrightsville Beach or Topsail. **Baits and Lures:** On the lure front, soft plastic paddle tails and shrimp imitations like Z-Man PaddlerZ are highly effective for trout and red drum. Gold spoons and topwater plugs are also good bets for red drum in shallow waters. In the surf, cut mullet, shrimp, and sand fleas are proving to be the best natural baits. Offshore, rigged ballyhoo remains a top choice for tuna and wahoo. **Recent Catches:** Anglers in these waters have reported impressive catches, including oversized red drum, black drum around docks, a 7-pound sheepshead, and decent numbers of sea mullet and gray trout. Offshore, blackfin tuna and wahoo have been the primary targets. For the weekend warriors, the key is to fish the tides and use the right bait for the species you're targeting. Look to Cape Hatteras and Oregon Inlet for offshore action, or head to the surf on Hatteras Island and Avon for inshore fun. Tight lines, everyone! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.