Coastal Carolina Fishing Report: Bluefish, Macks, and Sharks on the Move

Artificial Lure here, bringing you your North Carolina Atlantic coast fishing report for Friday, September 5, 2025.

Sunrise touched Oak Island and Beaufort just before 6:45 a.m., and anglers are looking at sunset a little after 7:30 p.m. That’s nearly 12 hours and 45 minutes of good fishing light, so strap in for action from first light to dusk. The air’s got a southeast wind this morning—mild, pushing a faint chop off the beaches near Wanchese, Atlantic Beach, and Oak Island. Temps hover in the high 70s to low 80s, with humidity making it feel muggy.

Tidal action is mild today with a tidal coefficient around 47 early, climbing to 62 by evening. That means weaker currents and less pronounced high/low changes in most spots—so plan on subtle water movement and use lighter tackle for better bite sensitivity. Oak Island hit high tide around 4:06 a.m. and will again at 4:56 p.m. Beaufort follows similar timing. That means best action should line up with early morning and late afternoon tide switch—so get your lines in the water about an hour before peak for the bite window.

Fish activity has been varied this week. According to National Fisherman, recent local net hauls reported small bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sand sharks, threadfin herring, and blacktip sharks all landed just offshore near Wanchese and Oregon Inlet. The bluefish and Spanish mackerel are running scattered schools, so look for diving birds and slicks—if you spot the birds working, that’s where the bait is, and predators won’t be far behind.

Daniel Griffee, a North Carolina charter skipper, recommends working topwater for bluefish with flashier lures. Super Spook Boyo, Heddon Spook models, and Flash Point jerkbaits are top picks this week. Surface action is hottest near rising tide, especially at sunup and sundown. Spanish mackerel are hitting metals like Got-Cha plugs and silver spoons worked fast; try a Front Runner rig for double hook-ups when the bite heats up.

There’s scattered reports of sand sharks and small blacktips in closer to beaches and jetties. These are taking cut mullet and squid, so a basic bottom rig with stout tackle gets it done if you’re after a fight. Threadfin herring are showing up in surf and backwaters, tempting for folks looking to snag live bait for mackerel and blues.

Don’t forget the summer flounder run is still trickling in—folks working the piers and nearshore structures with Carolina rigs tipped with finger mullet or gulp shrimp are pulling flatfish, just not in big numbers this week.

Hotspots to target this weekend:
- Oceanana Pier, Atlantic Beach: Early bites on blues and Spanish, plus flounder at the pilings. Good structure and water clarity.
- Oregon Inlet: Look for mixed schools just outside the breakers and sandbars, especially around first and last light.
- Oak Island Surf: Cut bait will bring in sharks and the odd bull red, while throwing spoons or jerkbaits just behind the breakers gives a shot at Spanish and blues.

For bait, finger mullet is top across the board, live when you can get it. Cut mullet pulls sharks and reds. Gulp shrimp or squid chunks work for bottom fish. For artificials, stick with Super Spooks, Got-Cha plugs, and Flash Point jerkbaits—bright colors on sunny days, lower profile on the overcast.

Surf conditions are moderate, so bring mid-weight rods and plan to cover water since fish are on the move and the bait is scattered. Watch for birds and breaking surface—where there’s bait, there’s game.

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