September is the month of change; summer starts to wind down and fall starts to show itself. I personally really like to fish in September, warm days, a little less humidity, less boat traffic and best of all; great fishing! Here are some of the “goto” fish I like to target during September. Also, during September, the mullet run starts to get going, this always helps the fishing! And last, but not least September 1st to the 14th 2026 is North Carolina Flounder Season!!
September is one of the better Flounder months for NC. Working with live bait or artificial lures are both good ways to catch flounder. Live bait is good for catching higher numbers of Flounder, but not always as many larger size flounder in my opinion. Mud minnows, and small finger mullet will be the best live baits for Flounder in September. Small menhaden work too but die very easily in the warm waters of September. I see bigger Flounder on artificial lures day in and day out!
Rigging the live bait on carolina rigs with Lazer Sharp Steelhead/Walleye Wide Gap Hook Hooks | Eagle Claw in #1 or 1/0 size hooks is a good choice of rigs for Flounder. If you prefer to use artificial baits, I do see bigger size flounders more often on lures. Scented soft plastics work well in clear or stained water. Berkley Gulp Jerkshad *See here https://alnk.to/3U1gTCB in five and six inch in colors new penny, pearl white, fire tiger, and chart pepper neon are all good too. Darker colors like root beer gold and fire tiger (bright but not bright?) in stained/dirty waters seem to work better to get more bites. Also try Berkley’s Powerbait Bonga Shad *See here https://alnk.to/5FaQHD7 in five inch, colors I prefer are HD Pinfish, Silver flash, Sight flash, Cold Beer and when the waters are dirty/stained I like Dark night. I like the Bonga Shrimp *See here https://alnk.to/d3Cc7VS series as well for flounder fishing. I rig all these soft plastic lures on Berkley Fusion Jig head *See here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg in1/4oz, 3/8oz and 1/2oz weights in colors red, gray, or white. Bucktails tipped with Gulp work well for ocean flounder fishing, I prefer Berkley Fusion Bucktails *See here https://alnk.to/cHMQmfL in 1oz, 1.5oz or 2oz. The new Berkley Gulp Dragon tail is great to use with a bucktail as the trailer. *See here https://alnk.to/ge6QBpx Leaders Berkley Pro Spec fluorocarbon*See here https://alnk.to/eDRuK2P in 40 (inshore) or 50 pound (ocean).
Look for the bigger flounder around deeper docks with good current, bait fish and lots of structure inshore. The inlets, offshore reef and ledges are all good places to find warm weather flounder. What do all these places have in common with deeper water, bait, current and structure. Do not forget to look for the clearest water possible and when fishing very stained/dirty water slow down your presentation of the bait. **Keep your eyes peeled for tagged Flounder. I have tagged lots the last few years, as well as other taggers. You might even get lucky and catch a Red tag worth $100!!
When the water starts to cool down just a little bit the Redfishing (Red Drum) will heat up. I look for the Reds to be in the creeks, along the ICW docks and oyster rocks. Anywhere bait is moving by! Carolina rigs with live bait or fresh cut bait is a good bet to catch a Redfish. If you want to go the artificial root, try Gulp Shrimp *See here https://alnk.to/58q5o7A three- or four-inch in colors sugar spice glow, molting, new penny fleck or any of the Chrome series rigged on a 1/8oz or 1/4oz Fusion Jigheads *See here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg should get’em to bite. Early mornings or late afternoons the top water bite should be good; cast MirrOlure Top Dog Jr’s or Top Pup’s for the best bite. Look for the top-water reds to be along marsh grass lines and shallow oyster rocks. You can also use rattling or popping corks in the same areas you use top-water plugs. Just rig them with eight to fourteen inches of forty-pound fluorocarbon, 1/0 hook L42 Eagle Claw and a live figure mullet or a 1/8oz Jig head & a Gulp Shrimp https://alnk.to/58q5o7A. Later in the mornings when the sun gets up and the topwater bite slows. The new Slobberknocker lure (bladed jig) has helped me catch more Redfish in one to three feet of water. *See here https://alnk.to/dpvDLgu
The bigger Reds are starting to show up in the ocean on hard bottoms and around the inlets during September. You never know when you might hook one of these hard fighting fish. When I fish for bigger Reds, I use fresh cut or live menhaden or mullet. Carolina rigs with Trokar Bait Saver Circle Hook Hooks | Eagle Claw and eighty-pound clear Berkley Big game mono leaders. Do not forget to keep your drag tight when using circle hook so the hook will do its job. One tip I can give you when fishing for Bull (Old) Reds, is do not use to light of tackle for these bigger Reds. If you fight them to long, there is a chance you can tire them out too much and kill them. Try a med/heavy rod and a reel with at least thirty-pound mono or braid, this will help you get the fish in quicker; with a better chance of a good release. Check to see if the Drum has a yellow tag in its back; there are a fair amount of tagged Big Reds out there.
Spanish mackerel and false albacore fishing can be great during September. The Spanish run the biggest (in size) all year during the fall. You can cast or troll for them and the fly fishing can be great as well. The Spanish/albacore will be around the inlets, up & down the beaches and near shore artificial reefs. Look for jumping Spanish and diving birds; that is where you need to fish. Casting small spoons like Big Nic Spanish candies on light spinning tackle will put some Spanish in the boat for you. Keep your eye peeled in local tackle shops for my new custom 1.5oz Big Nic Spanish Candy Capt. Jot custom color. One tip that has really helped my customers catch more of the Spanish, false albacore and bonito is using high speed spinning reels. I did not think it would make such a difference but it really has, speeding up the presentation gets more bites! I really like the Slammer IV High speed *See here https://alnk.to/4BFOrsT spinning reel for this application. If you would rather troll, give a Blue Water Candy Daisy Chain a try on top and a #1 planner down deep with a Clark spoon. If you would like to give fly fishing a try, use a six to eight weight set up with floating line with a small minnow pattern fly or epoxy minnow pattern: my favorite.
Shark fishing will be good until late September. I see lots of different kinds of Sharks in September; Black tip, black nose, Fine tooth, Hammerhead and Tiger. Best baits for the near shore sharks are fresh dead/live Bluefish, Mullet, and Menhaden. I use spinning and conventional reels for Shark fishing with 300+ yards of fifty- and sixty-five-pound Spider wire stealth braid. Rigging the baits; eight to ten feet of 80-pound mono (wind-on) leader; some of this leader will wind on to the reel. Connected to the 80-pound mono with a fifty-pound swivel, then two to three feet of #9 SS wire and a Trokar Non-Offset All Purpose Circle Hook Hooks | Eagle Claw (I push down the barb for easy release) If you prefer Fly fishing, I like Striped bass flies in Menhaden patterns with 4/0 and 5/0 hook sizes. We use ten to twelve plus weight set ups; have lots of extra flies with you!
Tackle run down: Slammer IV https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j & Authority https://alnk.to/fSgjdIK spinning reels 2500, 3000, 3500 sizes or PENN Low profile (bait-caster) * See here https://alnk.to/dAmWQIH 300 sizes for the Spanish mackerel/false albacore (High speed series) Redfish and Flounder. Sharks and Bull Drum (Big Drum) Slammer IV https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j & Authority https://alnk.to/fSgjdIK Spinning reels 5500 & 6500 reels with Rod Carnage III rods *See here https://alnk.to/7fpFxEt series, PENN Fathom II 20LW *see here https://alnk.to/gKQ67P2 casting reels with Rod Carnage III https://alnk.to/b7CyvzW. Fenwick HMG Inshore spinning *See here https://alnk.to/biuF0uB 7’ medium and med/heavy for the Redfish and Flounder. Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen pound for light tackle fishing and Berkley Pro Spec Chrome (orange) *see here https://alnk.to/cHN9X0o thirty pound for the Shark and Bull Drum. Tackle Storage I prefer Plano Guide Series and Z-series *see here https://alnk.to/9bu8in4 with the New Plano stowaway series boxes. *See here https://alnk.to/6TEb6Qk
Good September fishing to you and thanks for reading!
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139
Posted in Fishing Reports on August 31st, 2026
August fishing in southeast NC can be pretty good but a few things to keep in mind. Most August’s we must watch the water temps; they can get high during August. Remember fish get lethargic from high water temps just like cold water temps during the winter. Also, we sometimes get heavy rain/thunderstorms and/or tropical systems which can dirty up the waters quickly and these dirty waters can last a few hours to a few days. Keeping all of this in mind as we enter August.
One fish that is always on my hot weather and stained waters list is the Sheephead. The Sheephead is a good challenge to catch, and they fight hard, but they are also good to eat! All you need is some fiddler crabs or sand fleas for bait. A medium/heavy action spinning or casting rod with Spiderwire twenty- or thirty-pound braid for line will help you bring in that big Sheephead. I really like to use a 300-size Fathom Low profile reel *See here https://alnk.to/dAmWQIH. Tie on a short carolina rig with forty- or fifty-pound fluorocarbon leader and a small live bait J hook (sharp/strong)! Another rig I have been having success with is a NC treat jig rig for Sheephead fishing. Drop that fiddler crab down beside a piling on one of these rigs and when you feel that little bump; set the hook and hold on! PS: they are great eating in the two-to-eight-pound range in my opinion.
North Carolina is not really known highly for Tarpon fishing, but I do see them pushing just off the southeast inlets and the lower Cape Fear River from time to time. I’ve seen quite a few this season. If you want a good challenge, give Carolina Tarpon fishing a try this August. The best times are very early morning or late afternoon and into the night. I fish for Tarpon on the bottom or free lining, using live and fresh dead baits like, spots, mullet, and menhaden. I rig these baits on fish finder rigs, with one to three feet of 80-to-100-pound fluorocarbon leaders. Circle hooks are the best bet for good hook ups and landings for Tarpon in hook sizes 7/0 to 9/0 depending what hook series you like. I prefer TK5 *See here Trokar Bait Saver Circle Hook Hooks | Eagle Claw 8/0 or 9/0 circle hooks, super sharp and super strong! It is not easy to catch a NC Tarpon, but I promise if you do and even just jump one off its still really cool to see!
I also enjoy shark fishing later in the summer (late July to early September). Sharks on light tackle are always a good pull and boy the kids love to catch’em! Sharks do not really seem to care if the water is dirty either. I drift live and fresh dead bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mullet, or menhaden in twenty to forty feet of water offshore. I rig these baits with a 7/0 to 9/0 TroKar circle hook TK5 with one foot of ninety pound plus wire and six to eight feet of eighty-pound mono leader. You can free line the bait and /or put a small egg sinker on to keep the bait close to the bottom. You will know when you get a bite! Most sharks are in the ten-to-one-hundred-pound range.
Bull Redfish or old drum (big Red Drum) will start showing up around inlets and hard/live bottoms just off the beach to about ten miles out in early August. Live or fresh dead bait is the key to catching these brutes. Most fish will be twenty-eight to over forty inches in length, very fun sizes to catch! It is not hard to rig for the Bull reds; short carolina rigs with a 7/0 to 9/0 TroKar TK5BS circle hook will do the trick (less chance of a throat hook). Live or fresh cut Menhaden or mullet as bait. Remember if you are fishing for larger Drum, please use heavier tackle. The larger Drum will fight so hard when the water is hot, and it is easy to kill them using to light of tackle (fighting them to long). *Please take the time to revive Red drum especially bigger fish during warmer water months; it may take upwards of fifteen minutes to do so.
Flounder can be a tougher species to catch in dirty water, but keep in mind they still must eat too! Working live or artificial lures slower so the flounder have time to see and react to the target (bait). Live bait is good for catching numbers of Flounder, but not always as many larger size flounder with live bait. Mud minnows and small finger mullet will be the best live baits for Flounder in August. Small menhaden work too but die very easy in the warm waters of August. Rigging the live bait on carolina rigs with Eagle Claw L42 sizes 1 or 1/0 hooks is a good choice of rigs for Flounder.
If you prefer to use artificial baits which I do prefer. I see bigger size flounders more often on artificial lures. Scented and unscented grubs work well in clear or stained waters. Berkley Gulp Jerkshad in five and six inch and colors of new penny, pearl white, fire tiger and chart pepper neon are all good too. Darker colors like new penny and fire tiger (bright but not bright?) in heavy stained/dirty waters work better to get more bites. Do not be afraid of using scented lures when the water is hot and/or stained/dirty, scent can make a difference. The Gulp Jerkshad *See here https://alnk.to/gp14yrk give you scent and great colors, especially in stained/dirty waters. I really like the purple chrome, red chrome, and Key lime chrome six-inch Jerkshad *See here https://alnk.to/3U1gTCB for Flounder and Redfish! Also try Berkley’s New Powerbait Bonga Shad *See here https://alnk.to/5FaQHD7 in five inch, colors I prefer are HD Pinfish, Silver flash, Sight flash, Cold Beer and when the waters are dirty/stained I like Dark night. I like the Bonga Shrimp *See here https://alnk.to/d3Cc7VS series as well for flounder fishing. I rig all these soft plastic lures on Berkley Fusion Jig head *See here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg in 1/4oz, 3/8oz and 1/2oz weights in colors red, gray, or white. Leader material Berkley Pro Spec Fluorocarbon *See here https://alnk.to/eDRuK2P in 30- or 40-pound test.
Look for the bigger flounder around deeper water docks with good current, bait fish and lots of structure inshore. The inlets, offshore reef and ledges are all good places to find hot weather flounder. What do all these places have in common, deeper water, current and structure. Do not forget look for the clearest water possible and when fishing very stained/dirty water slow down your presentation of the bait. At the time of posting this report: NC 2026 Flounder season is September 1st to 14th. PS: I have just a few dates available for flounder fishing trips. BOOK NOW!!
Tackle run down: PENN Slammer IV *See here https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j & Authority *See here https://alnk.to/fSgjdIK spinning reels 2500, 3000, 3500 sizes or Fathom Low Profile bait-caster https://alnk.to/dAmWQIH 300 sizes for the Sheephead, Redfish and Flounder. Tarpon/Sharks/Bull Drum Slammer IV spinning https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j & Authority spinning https://alnk.to/fSgjdIK 5500 & 6500 reels with Carnage III spinning Rod https://alnk.to/7fpFxEt series, PENN Fathom 20LW *See here https://alnk.to/gKQ67P2 casting reels with Carnage III Boat Rod https://alnk.to/b7CyvzW Fenwick HMG Inshore rods *See here https://alnk.to/biuF0uB spinning 7’ medium and med/heavy for the Sheephead and Flounder. Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen pound and Berkley Pro Spec Chrome Mono *See here https://alnk.to/cHN9X0o thirty pound for the Tarpon/sharks/Bull Drum. Tackle Storage I prefer the Plano Guide Series https://alnk.to/cwTYwWT and the Z-series https://alnk.to/d3Eftpw tackle bags with EDGE series boxes *See here https://alnk.to/aWEPmIu or check out the new Plano stowaway series boxes. *See here https://alnk.to/6TEb6Qk
Have a good August, stay cool and dry, thanks for reading! Good fishing to You!
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
Posted in Fishing Reports on August 3rd, 2026
June, one of the better fishing months in Southeast NC; lighter winds (hopefully), warm days and so many kinds of fish to target. Precipitation anybody’s guess, some June’s super dry; some Junes are monsoon! Here are some of the fish I like to target during June around Southeast NC.
Redfish are in their summer trend by June and the trick to summer Reds is to find the fish that have not been pressured too much. For this I like to use search type lures. Top water lures in the shallow waters earlier mornings and afternoons will produce Redfish. I prefer MirrOlure Top dog Jr or Top Pup’s with a great ‘walk the dog action with sound,’ fishing these along marsh grass edges with oyster rocks. Slow rolling swimbaits like a Berkley Powerbait CullShad in 5” size. *See here: https://alnk.to/44Vxvaq rigged on Eagle Claw L11118G-6/0 swimbait hooks. Also using a SlobberKnocker (chatter bait) *see here https://alnk.to/dpvDLgu in two to five feet of water has produced some nice Reds. Working grubs like Berkley Gulp or Powerbait Bonga Shrimp *See here https://alnk.to/d3Cc7VS later in the day will also produce Reds for you, fishing deeper holes and docks (fishing deeper with the sun high). Keep in mind just because you find the Redfish, does not always mean they will bite. Hey someone could have pressured those same fish the day before or just before you got there. Covering area will help you find the active and less pressured fish.
Everybody loves to catch a Flounder; they are really getting their act together by June. Keep in mind you can fish for Flounder, but the season is closed in NC; you must release all flounder. *NC Flounder season is September 1st to the 14th 2026. You can find Flounder just about anywhere when June rolls in. In southeast NC, I look for bigger Flounder around deeper channel drop-offs and structure; in waters of five to fifth-teen feet plus deep. The local inlets and cuts; south Topsail, Rich’s, Mason’s, Masonboro, Carolina Beach and snow’s cut are always a good place to find some bigger size Flounders. Last but certainly not least, are the artificial reefs, ledges, and hard/live bottoms from one to ten miles off the beach, these areas always hold very nice Flounder in June.
Once you have found some Flounder you need to know how to catch’em. If you want to go the artificial root, try bigger baits; this will greatly help you catch bigger size Flounder. I prefer Berkley Gulp five- and six-inch Jerkshad in colors pearl white, chart pepper neon and Fire tiger. *See here https://alnk.to/gKQ67Wp Also, I am really liking all the new Crome series Gulp baits. Rigging the jerkshad on 1/4oz to 3/8oz for inshore and on 3/4oz to 1oz Fusion jig heads https://alnk.to/gzWrmtO or Berkley Fusion bucktails *See here https://alnk.to/cHMQmfL in 1oz, 1.5oz or 2oz for ocean fishing. I really like the new Gulp Dragon Tail as a trailer on a Bucktail. *See here: https://alnk.to/ge6QBpx Another great Flounder lure is the Berkley Gulp four-inch shrimp pattern; this bait is great for cast up and down inshore drop-offs in creek channels. *See here: https://alnk.to/58q5o7A I rig these baits on Fusion jig heads in sizes 1/4oz to 3/8oz for inshore; in colors red, gray, and white *See here: https://alnk.to/gzWrmtO Leaders; inshore thirty- or forty-pound, ocean fishing forty- or fifty-pound Berkley Pro Spec fluorocarbon leader. *See Leaders here https://alnk.to/5jkYCU5 Keep your eyes peeled, there are quite a few tagged flounder out there. Some even have $100 Red tags!! 😉
If you would like to go with live bait for the Flounders, try mud minnows, small mullets, or small menhaden as live bait. Rig these live baits on Carolina rigs with an Eagle Claw L42 #1 or 1/0 hooks, eight to fourteen inches of thirty-to-forty-pound fluorocarbon as leader. I prefer egg sinkers as my weight, the secret to how much weight you use is ‘as much as you need to stay on the bottom but as least as you can get away with.’ You need to be on the bottom for Flounder but going lighter will always get you more bites!
One fish that is always on my hot weather list is the Sheephead. The Sheephead are a good challenge to catch and they fight hard, but they are also good to eat! All you need is some fiddler crabs or sand fleas for bait. A medium/heavy action spinning or casting rod with Spiderwire twenty- or thirty-pound braid for line will help you bring in that big Sheephead in. Tie on a short carolina or knocker rig with forty- or fifty-pound fluorocarbon leader and a small live bait J hook (sharp/strong). Also, I have had good luck rigging up a carolina Treat jig with a fiddler crab. Drop that fiddler crab down beside a piling on the carolina rig and when you feel that little bump; set the hook and hold on! PS: they are great eating in the two-to-six-pound range!
The Spanish mackerel fishing can be pretty good in June, the bigger fish start to show this month. These fish are a lot of fun to see busting the surface of the water and even more fun to see on the end of your line! Casting small spoons like (Big Nic Spanish Candy lures) or using fly gear in weights seven to nine can make for a great challenge on light tackle. High speed spinning reels really help my clients get more bites. *See here: https://alnk.to/4XzGUs0 Look for Spanish to be hanging around near shore artificial reefs, ledges, and inlets. Trolling Clark spoons or small deep driver lures can be the key to success some days for the Spanish mackerel and even small king mackerel. When using the Clark spoons, I would recommend the pink flash or regular silver spoons in sizes #00, #0 and #1; the pink flash series has really helped me put more fish in the boat. You might come over a few false albacore and bluefish mixed in with the Spanish from time to time.
Last but never least; Cobia fishing is in full swing by early June and should be good until late June. So far this year it has been hit or miss for me, kind of like last year. I look for Cobia around inlets, shoals, and bait schools; near shore/offshore reefs and ledges are also a good place to look too. With the water being clear most of the time in June it should easier see those brown logs swimming in the water. I like to throw big jigs, swim baits and live baits to the Cobia. Color really does not seem to matter, but (go bright); Berkley Fusion Bucktails https://alnk.to/cHMQmfL in 1.5oz to 2oz, but I always add a Berkley Gulp 5-inch grub *see here https://alnk.to/h6JZVIF When I am not sight casting for them, we are fishing around inlets, shoals, and near shore artificial reefs. I float fish, bottom fish, and kite fish in these areas with live menhaden, spots, and mullet as bait. You can chum if you like, but the sharks and Rays will come in numbers!
Tackle run down: PENN Battle IV https://alnk.to/aLMHDdf Slammer IV https://alnk.to/cm1wsrU or Authority https://alnk.to/dpw4ln1 series spinning reels 2500, 3000 & 3500 sizes for the Redfish, Spanish, sheephead and Flounder. Cobia: PENN Slammer IV or Authority 5500 & 6500 spinning reels or PENN 15LW, 20LW, 25NLD Fathom casting reels. https://alnk.to/cb6LtHq Rods PENN Battalion II or the Fenwick HMG Inshore series; 7’ medium and med/heavy for the Redfish, sheephead and Flounder *See here: https://alnk.to/biuF0uB Cobia Rods: PENN Rampage https://alnk.to/4BFWHOm or Carnage III Jigging https://alnk.to/5ujYd7y series 50 to 100 class casting and spinning. Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen, twenty (ocean flounder) pound braid and Berkley Pro Spec Chrome mono in twenty and thirty pound for the Cobia; it is great line! Leader material Berkley Pro Spec Fluorocarbon 30 to 40 pound for inshore and 80-pound Cobia fishing. Tackle storage Plano Z-series https://alnk.to/9bu8in4 or Guide series tackle bags https://alnk.to/cwTYwWT with Plano EDGE stowaway boxes. https://alnk.to/aWEPmIu
PS: NC Flounder season is September 1st to the 14th. Booking Trips NOW!!
Stay cool and enjoy your summer fishing! Thanks for reading!
Capt. Jot Owens
910-233-4239
Posted in Fishing Reports on June 3rd, 2026
Southeast NC fishing in May, when the fishing really gets cranked up! Many different species of fish start to show up and it is when I feel like summer fishing is really getting started. Spring has been pretty good fishing so far, now if we can just get the weather to cooperate a little more!
As the weather stabilizes and the temps go up in May I see more days where I can get out in the ocean. I love to look for those high speed, good eating and so much fun to catch Atlantic bonito in earlier/mid-May and Spanish mackerel all month long. These fish are a lot of fun to see busting the surface of the water and even more fun to see on the end of your line! Casting spoons (Big Nic Spanish Candy lures) in sizes 1/2oz up to the 1.5oz (Capt. Jot edition), using high-speed spinning reels has really got my clients more bites! *See here https://linktr.ee/capt_jot_owens I have really become a fan myself of casting a high-speed low-profile bait-caster reels when casting to Bonito and Spanish. I use a PENN Fathom high-speed 300 reel. *See here https://alnk.to/gVMHXSX You can also use fly gear in weights seven to nine, this can make for a great challenge on fly tackle. Look for these fish to be hanging around near shore artificial reefs, ledges, and inlets. You might come over a few false albacore and bluefish mixed in with the bonito and Spanish from time to time; sometimes too many bluefish are mixed in! *We have already seen a good number of small King mackerel mixed in this year. Check your fish carefully for undersize Kings!!
Redfish and May go hand and hand, this month is a favorite for casting artificial lures to Reds. Redfish really start to settle down in their summer spots by early/mid-May. I prefer inshore water temps of 70 degrees or higher for the shallow water bite to start. Casting Berkley Gulp Turbo shrimp in three-inch size on light jig heads is my go-to lures for May redfish. *See here: https://alnk.to/fSi93CW My go to colors are pearl white, pink belly, flamingo chrome and molting. Another Redfish lure I like is the Berkley Powerbait CullShad in 5” in colors Cold beer, silver flash and Dark night (stained waters) fishing shallow waters of one to five foot. *See here: https://alnk.to/44Vxvaq I rig the CullShad on Eagle Claw 1/8oz & 1/4oz swimbait hooks. Catching redfish on top water lures is so much fun; casting plugs like MirrOlure’s top pup or top dog jr. You can also cast popping or rattling corks in these shallow areas with a Berkley Gulp four-inch turbo shrimp on a 1/8oz jig head which will catch the Redfish in shallow waters. If you would rather go the bait route; try some fresh cut or live Mullet or Menhaden on a light Carolina rig. Using Eagle Claw L42 1/0 hooks to make up a Carolina rig. Try fishing fresh cut bait around docks on the ICW or along creek mouths when the tide is moving, in five to ten feet of water.
By mid-May the cobia start to show up around southeast NC; one of my favorites! I forecast that the cobia will be here early this season. I look for cobia around inlets, shoals, and bait schools; near shore/offshore reefs and ledges are all good places to look. When the water is clear it will be easier to see those brown logs in the water. I throw big jigs like (Berkley Fusion 19 bucktails) *See here: https://alnk.to/cHMQmfL or live bait to the Cobia. Color really does not seem to matter but go bright; I always put a Gulp six-inch grub on the bucktail for Cobia. *See here: https://alnk.to/6TBItPv If I am casting live bait to Cobia, I use a TroKar TK5 AP 8/0 or 9/0 bait saver series circle hook with at least three feet of sixty-pound Pro Spec fluorocarbon leader. *See here: https://alnk.to/aLJ9PR2 When I am not sight casting for Cobia we are fishing around inlets, shoals and near shore artificial reefs. I float fish, bottom fish, and kite fish in these areas with live menhaden, pinfish, or mullet as bait. Sometimes a great bonus fish when fishing for Cobia that would be a nice bull Redfish or later in the season a Tarpon (And yes, the Tarpon will be early again this season!) You can chum for Cobia if you like, but the sharks and rays will come, and they will come in numbers!
Another fish that really starts to show up around the inshore creeks, inlets and near shore reefs of Southeast North Carolina is the good’ole Bluefish. During later April through May, you can catch some bigger Bluefish too; like ten pounds plus big! These blues will hit Berkley Gulp six-inch jerkshad *See here: https://alnk.to/gKQ67Wp and Berkley CullShad *See here: https://alnk.to/44Vxvaq lures in bright colors, I rig both of these lures on TroKar 1/4oz swim bait hooks TK170. Hard baits like big poppers and MirrOlure Top Dog’s work well too for the big Blues. Do not forget the steal leaders for these fish or they will get a free lure from you every time! Try light single strand wire in sizes #2, #3 or #4 will keep your lure on the end of your line and not in a bluefish’s pocket! I catch Blues in the one-to-fifteen-pound range during April, (some years there are more than others and sometimes only a few of the bigger ones show up.
Tackle run down: Reels PENN Slammer IV https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j & Battle IV https://alnk.to/dAnHgs1 series Spinning reels 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000 sizes. High spinning reels *see here https://linktr.ee/capt_jot_owens & Authority spinning reels in the High-Speed series 2500 or Fathom 300 high-speed low-profile bait-casters https://alnk.to/gVMHXSX for Bonito & Spanish mackerel casting. Rods: Fenwick HMG Inshore series rods https://alnk.to/biuF0uB 7’ Medium class 8-to-17-pound test rods for Redfish, Inshore flounder, Bonito etc. Ocean Flounder 7’ Med/Hvy class 12-to-25-pound test. Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen pound braid. Cobia Reels PENN Fathom II 20LW *See here: https://alnk.to/gKQ67P2 casting, Slammer IV or SpinFisher VI spinning 5500 or 6500 spinning reels, with a PENN Rampage or Carnage III Jigging rods 50-to-100-pound class. Tackle Bags/storage I prefer the Plano Guide series (3700) size *See here: https://alnk.to/cwTYwWT and Z-series (3600 or 3700) size tackle bags *See here: https://alnk.to/d3Eftpw with NEW, much lighter in weight and waterproof StowAway’s!! https://alnk.to/2QA3HPH
Thanks for reading, Happy Summer, Get outside and good fishing to you!
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
Posted in Fishing Reports on April 30th, 2026
North Carolina springs can be anything but predictable, sometimes that is about the same for spring fishing around these parts. So far, we’ve had a pretty good winter temperature wise (especially later winter); I think we are about two (+/-) weeks ahead on spring temps and fishing. Fishing wise here is what I look to target during April around Southeast NC area waters.
The Atlantic Bonito (good eating) and False Albacore (I do not recommend eating but fun to catch) are going to showing up now just offshore of Wrightsville, Carolina, and Topsail beaches in the one-to-ten-mile range. Trolling Clark spoons on planners or small deep driver lures can be the key to success some days for the Bonito and False Albacore. When using the Clark spoons, I would recommend the pink flash spoon in sizes #0 and #1; the pink flash series has really helped me put more fish in the boat. A bird rig on top with a Clark spoon about five to six feet behind it or a small daisy chain (squids) from Bluewater candy in colors blue, silver or pink have worked very well for me on top too.
I prefer casting over trolling myself. I love to look for those high speed, good eating and so much fun to catch Atlantic bonito and later in the month the Spanish mackerel. These fish are a lot of fun to see busting the surface of the water and even more fun to see on the end of your line! Casting spoons like Big Nic Spanish Candy lures in sizes 1/2oz up to the 1.5oz (Capt. Jot edition) sizes in colors pink, blue, green or Capt. Jot Custom color (blue/pink). I use a thirty-pound fluorocarbon leader at two to three foot long when casting these lures (no swivel). Using high-speed spinning reels has really helped my customers get more bites. *See here: https://alnk.to/4BFOrsT I have really become a fan of casting a high-speed low-profile bait-caster reel when casting to Bonito and Spanish. I use a PENN Fathom high-speed 300 reel. *See here: https://alnk.to/gVMHXSX You can also use fly gear in weights eight to nine, this can make for a great challenge on fly tackle. Look for these fish to be hanging around near shore artificial reefs, ledges, and inlets. And the Spanish Mackerel will mix in any day now!
Another fish that really starts to show up around the inshore creeks and inlets of Southeast North Carolina is the good’ole Bluefish and during April you can catch some bigger Bluefish too; like ten pounds plus big! These blues will hit Berkley Gulp six-inch jerkshad *See here: https://alnk.to/gKQ67Wp and Berkley CullShad *See here: https://alnk.to/44Vxvaq lures in bright colors, I rig both of these lures on TroKar 1/4oz swim bait hooks *see here: TroKar TK170 Hard baits like big poppers and MirrOlure Top Dog’s work well too for the big Blues. Don’t forget the steal leaders for these fish or they will get a free lure form you every time! Try light single strand wire in sizes #2, #3 or #4 will keep your lure on the end of your line and not in a bluefish’s pocket! I catch Blues in the one-to-fifteen-pound range during April, (some years there are more than others and sometimes only a few show up).
There is one fish that a lot of anglers overlook in April and that is the Black Drum. What I love about these fish is you can catch them in good numbers this time of year and there great to eat! On top of all that they are also easy to catch; use a light Carolina rig with an Eagle claw L42 #1 size hook. I make my own rigs with thirty-pound fluorocarbon leader material. I prefer as fresh as I can get shrimp for black drum fishing. Fish these rigs around docks, oyster rocks and inlets for Black Drum; you might even get a Redfish mixed in as well. If you catch one, it’s a good idea to stay a little longer; these fish are typically in groups.
Cape Fear River Striped Bass can bite very well into April, but the fish move around a lot more during April, you’ll find them at one spot one day and the next day they have moved on. In April the Stripers will start to move into shallower waters, I look for the Stripers in three to ten feet of water in the early spring. This is when you need to also shallow up your presentation, go lighter with you tackle. I prefer Berkley Powerbait CullShad in salt & freshwater colors; *Saltwater colors: https://alnk.to/44Vxvaq Freshwater colors: https://alnk.to/9T9W6Dc Rigging the grass pig lures on TroKar TK170 swim bait hooks should put a Striper on the end of your line. Look for Cape Fear River Stripers around mud-flat edges, bulk-heads and shallow reed-grass edges on sunny warmer days. *Remember Cape Fear River Striped Bass are Catch & Release fishing only.
Also, in the Cape Fear River I really enjoy heading to Lock & Dam #1 or #2 on the Cape Fear River during April to catch large American shad on light tackle and Fly tackle. Casting shad darts in bright colors and shad flies is the way to catch these shad. I use a double shad dart rig; this makes it easier to cast the light darts and sometimes you get two shad at the same time! The shad run in the one to a few over four pounds; super fun on fly and light tackle setups “poor man’s Tarpon”!
Tackle run down: PENN Slammer IV (high speed Bonito) *See here: https://alnk.to/4BFOrsT & Battle IV Spinning reels (1000 & 2000 shad fishing), 2500 & 3000 sizes for Stripers, Black drum & Redfish *See here: https://alnk.to/dAnHgs1 Rods: Fenwick HMG Inshore 7’ medium action *See here: https://alnk.to/90AwwR1 Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in (six-pound shad fishing) ten- and fifteen-pound other species. Berkley Pro Spec fluorocarbon leader material for all my leaders. *see here: https://alnk.to/eONCcq8 Tackle Storage I prefer Plano Guide Series *see here https://alnk.to/gKQItqB and Z-series https://alnk.to/9bu8in4 with EDGE https://alnk.to/eZH8FjA boxes inside.
*Check out the new Plano GoNow waterproof storage Boxes. *See here: https://alnk.to/a47kjKe
Thanks for reading and good spring fishing to you!
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139
Posted in Fishing Reports on April 6th, 2026
