Winter Tog and Sea Bass Bite Off North Carolina's Coast

Today, January 24, 2025, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina is looking promising, despite the chilly winter conditions. ### Tidal and Weather Report The tide times for Atlantic Beach are as follows: high tide at 3:00 AM with a height of 3.41 ft, low tide at 9:45 AM with a height of 0.61 ft, high tide at 3:09 PM with a height of 2.22 ft, and low tide at 9:03 PM with a height of 0.23 ft. Sunrise is at 7:09 AM and sunset is at 5:28 PM. The weather is expected to be cold with significant winds, which might limit the number of boats venturing out. ### Fish Activity While the bluefin tuna run that was phenomenal in the Mid-Atlantic region is starting to taper off, there are still some bluefin tuna hanging around, particularly off Virginia Beach. However, for North Carolina waters, the focus has shifted to other species. Tautog (tog) are active and can be targeted around bottom structures. Chasin’ Tides Charters and Morning Star have reported successful trips for tog in the Mid-Atlantic, and similar conditions are expected here. ### Catch Reports Yesterday, there were reports of anglers catching a decent number of tog, with some keepers up to 17.5 pounds. Black sea bass are also starting to show up, and with the special recreational season in Virginia set to begin in February, these waters might see increased activity soon. ### Best Lures and Bait For targeting tog and black sea bass, paddletail soft plastics, shrimp lures, and white bucktail jigs are highly effective. The paddletail soft plastic is versatile and can mimic injured baitfish or shrimp, making it a favorite among local anglers. For those looking to catch larger fish like bluefin tuna, if they are still in the area, using lures like the Nomad Design Tackle DTX Minnow 220, as seen in recent catches off Virginia Beach, could be beneficial. ### Hot Spots Two hot spots to consider are the artificial reefs off the coast of Atlantic Beach and the bottom structures around Cape Hatteras. These areas tend to attract a variety of fish, including tog and black sea bass, due to the abundant marine life and favorable bottom conditions. Bundling up against the cold and wind will be essential for any angler venturing out today. Despite the challenging weather, the potential for a good catch is there, especially for those targeting tog and black sea bass. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.