{"id":24660,"date":"2021-03-20T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-20T11:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=24660"},"modified":"2026-02-10T16:58:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:58:22","slug":"north-carolina-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"North Carolina Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>When we say that North Carolina is home to one of the top fisheries on the eastern seaboard, we&#8217;re not kidding. You may come here to admire the Blue Ridge or climb the Smoky Mountains, but it&#8217;s the fishing in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/state\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">North Carolina<\/a>&nbsp;that will blow your mind.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133901\/North-Carolina-Main.jpg\" alt=\"A sunrise view of the Bodie Island Lighthouse in the Outer Banks, NC, with marsh vegetation and waters visible to the left and a wooden walkway to the right.\" class=\"wp-image-49369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133901\/North-Carolina-Main.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133901\/North-Carolina-Main-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133901\/North-Carolina-Main-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133901\/North-Carolina-Main-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Both the diversity and the quantity of fish draw anglers of all levels to the Tar Heel State. With easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, a coastal fishery that keeps on giving, and impressive freshwater action, what&#8217;s not to like?&nbsp;On this page, we&#8217;ll cover it all.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><strong>What are you interested in?<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#top-targets-in-north-carolina\" style=\"border-radius:100px;background-color:#2185c5\">Top Targets in North Carolina<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#north-carolina-fishing-seasons\" style=\"border-radius:100px;background-color:#2185c5\">North Carolina Fishing Seasons<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#top-north-carolina-fishing-spots\" style=\"border-radius:100px;background-color:#2185c5\">Top North Carolina Fishing Spots<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#types-of-fishing-in-north-carolina\" style=\"border-radius:100px;background-color:#2185c5\">Types of Fishing in North Carolina<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#fishing-trips-in-north-carolina\" style=\"border-radius:100px;background-color:#2185c5\">North Carolina Fishing Trips<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#north-carolina-fishing-regulations\" style=\"border-radius:100px;background-color:#2185c5\">North Carolina Fishing Regulations<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><h2 id=\"top-targets-in-north-carolina\">Top Targets in North Carolina<\/h2><p>There&#8217;s no overstating how remarkable fishing is in North Carolina. There&#8217;s something about casting your line here that&#8217;s addictive. Maybe it&#8217;s the everyday possibilities of record catches, the diversity, or the sheer abundance of fish. Or maybe it&#8217;s all three. So let&#8217;s dive into some of the species you&#8217;ll reel in out here.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-create-block-wp-image-link-list-block\"><div class=\"custom-row\"><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/redfish\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/01\/14134927\/galveston-pier-fishing-redfish-1024x768-1.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Redfish<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spanish-mackerel\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/14135730\/spanish-mac-Chesapeake-Coastal-Charters.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Spanish Mackerel<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/king-mackerel-kingfish\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140226\/King-Mackerel-South-Carolina.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">King Mackerel<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-create-block-wp-image-link-list-block\"><div class=\"custom-row\"><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/dolphin-mahi-mahi\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/09\/14134839\/Mahi-Mahi-10.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Mahi Mahi<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-blue\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/09\/14144937\/500-lb-Blue-Marlin.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Blue Marlin<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/tuna-bluefin\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14134323\/Outer-Banks-Bluefin-Tuna-Fishing.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Bluefin Tuna<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><h3 id=\"best-freshwater-targets-in-north-carolina\">Best Freshwater Targets in North Carolina<\/h3><p>North Carolina&#8217;s freshwater fisheries are almost on par with its saltwater ones, and that speaks volumes. There are over 3,000 miles of freshwater shoreline to explore, which is why people from all over come here to get their fill of fun.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Hybrid-Striped-Bass-North-Carolina.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling man in a hat, standing on a boat and holding a sizeable Hybrid Striped Bass he caught fishing on Lake Norman in North Carolina, with the waters and the shore visible in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-49366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Hybrid-Striped-Bass-North-Carolina.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Hybrid-Striped-Bass-North-Carolina-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Hybrid-Striped-Bass-North-Carolina-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Hybrid-Striped-Bass-North-Carolina-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo courtesy of Set&#8217;n Hooks Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Striped Bass<\/strong>: Although they&#8217;re not strictly a freshwater species, Striped Bass are a favorite target on many North Carolina lakes. They&#8217;re stocky fish that are extremely fun to wrestle. Also, they make for excellent eating. In the Tar Heel State, Striper hotspots include lakes such as <strong>Hickory<\/strong>, <strong>Norman<\/strong>, and <strong>Badin<\/strong>, but you&#8217;ll also find them in the coastal rivers and sounds. Many lakes also feature Hybrid Striped Bass, which, while smaller, offer terrific battles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Black Bass<\/strong>: Besides Stripers, North Carolina&#8217;s freshwaters are also abundant with Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass. These three fish are immensely popular among anglers. They&#8217;re smart, crafty adversaries that change their patterns with each season. They also fight well, especially Smallies and Spotties. <strong>Fontana<\/strong>, <strong>Chatuge<\/strong>, and <strong>High<\/strong> <strong>Rock<\/strong> are just some of North Carolina&#8217;s lakes that offer exceptional Bass fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Catfish<\/strong>: Catfish are almost ubiquitous in North Carolina&#8217;s rivers and lakes. There are different types of them swimming about, with Flathead, Blue, and Channel Catfish being the most common catches. You&#8217;ll find these fish in the same waters we named in the previous two sections, but rivers such as <strong>Neuse<\/strong>, <strong>Cape<\/strong> <strong>Fear<\/strong>, and <strong>Roanoke<\/strong> also feature great catfishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crappie<\/strong>: Famous for their delicious taste, Crappie are the favored Panfish for many anglers. And like the other fish we&#8217;ve named so far, they&#8217;re a frequent target in the Tar Heel State. Visit lakes such as <strong>Wylie<\/strong>, <strong>Jordan<\/strong>, or the aforementioned <strong>High<\/strong> <strong>Rock<\/strong>, and you&#8217;ll get the opportunity to put some Crappie in the cooler.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-trout-fishing\/\">Trout<\/a><\/strong>: Compared to its marshy coastal region, Western North Carolina is all mountains. And with mountains come cold waters that Trout love to race through. Rainbow, <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-state-fish\/\">Brook<\/a>, and Brown Trout can all be caught in the rivers and streams flowing through the &#8220;Land of the Sky.&#8221; So if you&#8217;re a <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fly-fishing-in-north-carolina\/\">fly angler<\/a> itching for Trout, start your adventure from places such as <strong>Boone<\/strong>, <strong>Asheville<\/strong>, or <strong>Cherokee<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><h3 id=\"best-inshore-targets-in-north-carolina\">Best Inshore Targets in North Carolina<\/h3><p>Saltwater fishing is nothing short of incredible in NC, and the records prove it. The coastal waters are teeming with all the inshore A-listers on your bucket list. Let&#8217;s see what some of these must-catch species are.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Redfish-North-Carolina.jpg\" alt=\"Two men in sunglasses posing for a photo with the shorter man to the right holding a big Redfish he caught inshore fishing in North Carolina, with waters and vegetation visible in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-49367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Redfish-North-Carolina.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Redfish-North-Carolina-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Redfish-North-Carolina-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/04\/14133902\/Redfish-North-Carolina-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo courtesy of Port City Inshore Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/redfish\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Redfish<\/a><\/strong>: Redfish embody everything you&#8217;d want in a fish &ndash; beauty, power, and divine taste. Their spotted tails and the tenacious way they fight have long charmed anglers all over the East Coast, North Carolina included. In these waters, Redfish are a staple catch, available <strong>throughout the year<\/strong>. If you visit during <strong>fall<\/strong>, you&#8217;ll get a special treat, as that&#8217;s when big &#8220;Bull&#8221; Reds show up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spotted-seatrout\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Spotted Seatrout<\/a><\/strong>: Spotted Seatrout are another common catch in North Carolina&#8217;s inshore waters. They&#8217;re similar to Redfish in the sense that they&#8217;ll both bite on a variety of baits and lures, making it possible to reel in both on the same outing. Trout can be caught from March through November, though the best season in NC takes place in the <strong>fall<\/strong>. Anglers also call them Speckled Trout or Specks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/black-drum\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Black Drum<\/a><\/strong>: As members of the drum family, Black Drum bear some resemblance to Redfish as they&#8217;re both tasty, inshore species. Adult Black Drum, however, ultimately end up outgrowing most Reds. And once hooked, they&#8217;ll use that weight to try and shake off your hook. Another difference is that they&#8217;re rarely caught on lures, so make sure to bring menhaden, mullet, or crabs. When&#8217;s the best time to catch Black Drum in North Carolina? <strong>Winter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/bluefish\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Bluefish<\/a><\/strong>: While these fish are found from Maine to Florida, it&#8217;s North Carolina that boasts the record for the largest Bluefish caught. The world-beater fish was caught off Hatteras, weighing just over 31 pounds. While the record is certainly hard to trump, even small Bluefish are extremely fun to fight. They&#8217;re renowned for their hard strikes and fighting spirit, making them a beloved target inshore. In NC, it&#8217;s possible to catch them <strong>year-round<\/strong>, but the best fishing is in <strong>late spring and summer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spanish-mackerel\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Spanish Mackerel<\/a><\/strong>: Rather than sticking strictly to inshore waters, Spanish Mackerel follow bait fish. This means you&#8217;ll sometimes catch them from land, while other times they&#8217;ll be lurking a few miles offshore. Trolling is typically the most effective technique when targeting these fish from a boat. It&#8217;s very beginner-friendly, meaning even children can try their hand at catching Spaniards. They&#8217;re present across North Carolina&#8217;s shores <strong>from spring to fall<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Naturally, there are more inshore fish to catch than just the few we named. There are <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-flounder-fishing\/\">Flounder<\/a><\/strong> all along the NC coast, though recreational regulations around them are somewhat stringent at the moment. Some other targets include <strong>Sheepshead<\/strong>, <strong>Whiting<\/strong>, <strong>Weakfish<\/strong>, and more.<\/p><h3 id=\"best-offshore-targets-in-north-carolina\">Best Offshore Targets in North Carolina<\/h3><p>While all types of fishing in North Carolina are impressive, it was offshore and&nbsp;deep sea fishing&nbsp;action that made the state into the angling epicenter it is today. It&#8217;s easy to understand why, when all the greats are out there for the taking. Here&#8217;s what you can look forward to.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14133859\/Bluefin-Tuna-North-Carolina-1.jpg\" alt=\"A bird's eye view of the back deck of a charter fishing boat, with 3 men standing on it, looking up towards the camera, and a fourth man lying on the deck next to a giant Bluefin Tuna they caught.\" class=\"wp-image-49426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14133859\/Bluefin-Tuna-North-Carolina-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14133859\/Bluefin-Tuna-North-Carolina-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14133859\/Bluefin-Tuna-North-Carolina-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14133859\/Bluefin-Tuna-North-Carolina-1-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo courtesy of Speechless Sportfishing.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/amberjack\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Amberjack<\/a><\/strong>: There are few fish that fight as stubbornly as Amberjack. The way they pull is almost unreal, going full tilt from the moment they realize they&#8217;ve been hooked. In North Carolina, you&#8217;ll find them hanging out around offshore reefs and vertical structures. Drift fishing, trolling, and chumming are all good ways to entice the AJ bite.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/king-mackerel-kingfish\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">King Mackerel<\/a><\/strong>: Armed with aggression, speed, and a mouthful of sharp teeth, King Mackerel are perfect hunters. Chasing prey, they&#8217;re often known to leap out of the water in a stunning show of acrobatics. The strike they deliver when hooked is no less impressive, and it&#8217;s followed by a thrilling battle that&#8217;s sure to get your adrenaline pumping. You can catch King Mackerel almost year-round in North Carolina, but their <strong>fall run<\/strong> brings the hottest action.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/dolphin-mahi-mahi\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Mahi Mahi<\/a><\/strong>: With their vivid mix of colors, Mahi Mahi are certainly among the best-looking fish out there. But there&#8217;s more to them than their appearance, as they&#8217;re also fantastic table fare. To add to that Mahi are great fighters, although they tend to tire quickly. Put these traits together and it&#8217;s easy to see why there&#8217;s an angling craze when these fish start showing up in <strong>spring<\/strong>. The fishing stays strong <strong>throughout summer<\/strong> in North Carolina, giving you plenty of chances to feast on some Mahi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-blue\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">Blue Marlin<\/a><\/strong>: Compared to the fish we named so far, Marlin are a whole different ball game. They&#8217;re bigger, faster, and stronger than most of what&#8217;s out there, presenting one of the ultimate big game challenges. To find Blue Marlin, you&#8217;ll have to venture to the Gulf Stream. Do so during <strong>summer<\/strong>, and you might just get the honor of fighting these magnificent fish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/tuna-bluefin\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\"><strong>Bluefin<\/strong> <strong>Tuna<\/strong><\/a>: If there&#8217;s a fish out there on par with Marlin, it&#8217;s Bluefin Tuna. With immense power, intelligence, and bewildering stamina, these beasts can battle for hours on end. Bluefin fishing is so wild it even got its own show. And if you&#8217;re familiar with Wicked Tuna, you&#8217;ll know one of its settings is in North Carolina&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/giant-bluefin-tuna-fishing-outer-banks\/\">Outer Banks<\/a>. Come <strong>wintertime<\/strong>, numerous boats exit through the <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/oregon-inlet-fishing\/\">Oregon Inlet<\/a> in search of these hulking fish. Hop aboard one, and you&#8217;ll be in for an adventure like no other.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>In addition to the five fish we named so far, there are probably about a dozen others you&#8217;ll encounter offshore fishing in North Carolina. On the reefs, there&#8217;ll be <strong>Grouper<\/strong>, <strong>Triggerfish<\/strong>, <strong>Cobia<\/strong>, and <strong>Black<\/strong> <strong>Seabass<\/strong> to fish for. There are also pelagics such as <strong>Wahoo<\/strong>, <strong>Blackfin <\/strong>and<strong> Yellowfin<\/strong> <strong>Tuna<\/strong>, <strong>Sailfish<\/strong>, and <strong>Little<\/strong> <strong>Tunny<\/strong> you&#8217;ll get to target. Finally, the depths of the ocean hide prizes such as <strong>Swordfish<\/strong> and deep-dwelling <strong>Tilefish<\/strong>. <\/p><div class='reviews-fetcher-container' data-destination-id='340' data-destination-title='North Carolina' data-category-title='' data-category='' data-category-id='' data-trigger='reviews-fetcher' data-viewport-event='view_reviews_fetcher' data-action='In viewport' data-viewport-category='Reviews' data-label=''>\n                    <h3>What anglers said about fishing in North Carolina<\/h3>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"north-carolina-fishing-seasons\">North Carolina Fishing Seasons<\/h2><p>North Carolina is a <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-fishing-seasons\/\"><strong>year-round fishery<\/strong><\/a>. If you&#8217;re not picky about what you want to catch, there&#8217;ll always be something biting. <strong>Redfish<\/strong>, <strong>Bluefish<\/strong>, and <strong>Black<\/strong> <strong>Drum<\/strong>, for example, are there for the taking whenever you visit. Similarly, the nearshore reefs always hold <strong>Black<\/strong> <strong>Seabass<\/strong> and <strong>Grouper<\/strong>, among others.<\/p><p>In wintertime, most of the recreational fishing is concentrated inshore. However, for anglers willing to brave the seas, the period <strong>between December and March<\/strong> is the prime time to reel in <strong>Bluefin Tuna<\/strong>. Once spring arrives, more and more game fish join the fold. <strong>Yellowfin<\/strong> <strong>Tuna<\/strong>, <strong>Mahi<\/strong> <strong>Mahi<\/strong>, and <strong>Wahoo<\/strong> show up first, followed by <strong>Marlin<\/strong> and <strong>Sailfish<\/strong> <strong>in the summer<\/strong>. The fishery remains solid throughout <strong>fall<\/strong> until big <strong>Bluefins<\/strong> take center stage once again. Here&#8217;s a breakdown of what&#8217;s biting and when:<\/p><table class=\"table table-bordered table-hover\">\n   <thead>\n      <tr>\n         <th>Species<\/th>\n         <th>Jan<\/th>\n         <th>Feb<\/th>\n         <th>Mar<\/th>\n         <th>Apr<\/th>\n         <th>May<\/th>\n         <th>Jun<\/th>\n         <th>Jul<\/th>\n         <th>Aug<\/th>\n         <th>Sep<\/th>\n         <th>Oct<\/th>\n         <th>Nov<\/th>\n         <th>Dec<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n   <\/thead>\n   <tbody>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Amberjack<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Black Drum<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Bluefish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Cobia<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Flounder<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n\t  <tr>\n         <td><strong>Kingfish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Marlin<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n <tr>\n         <td><strong>Redfish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n <tr>\n         <td><strong>Sailfish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n <tr>\n         <td><strong>Speckled Trout<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n <tr>\n         <td><strong>Tarpon<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n <tr>\n         <td><strong>Tuna<\/strong><\/td>\n        <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n <tr>\n         <td><strong>Wahoo<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n   <\/tbody>\n<\/table><p>Freshwater fishing follows a different pattern. On the rivers and lakes, wintertime is often considered the low season, even though it&#8217;s still possible to catch fish. However, it&#8217;s preceded by <strong>incredible fall<\/strong> fishing and followed by a <strong>prolific spring<\/strong>. The <strong>summer<\/strong> is also a great time for freshwater fishing in North Carolina. The only caveat is that some fish retreat into deeper waters, necessitating a boat.<\/p><table class=\"table table-bordered table-hover\">\n   <thead>\n      <tr>\n         <th>Species<\/th>\n         <th>Jan<\/th>\n         <th>Feb<\/th>\n         <th>Mar<\/th>\n         <th>Apr<\/th>\n         <th>May<\/th>\n         <th>Jun<\/th>\n         <th>Jul<\/th>\n         <th>Aug<\/th>\n         <th>Sep<\/th>\n         <th>Oct<\/th>\n         <th>Nov<\/th>\n         <th>Dec<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n   <\/thead>\n   <tbody>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Catfish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n\n      <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n         <td><strong>Crappie<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Hybrid Bass<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Largemouth Bass<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n<tr>\n         <td><strong>Perch<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Trout<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table><h2 id=\"top-north-carolina-fishing-spots\">Top North Carolina Fishing Spots<\/h2><p>Thanks to the premier fishing that North Carolina has, there are uncountable hotspots for you to target the fish of your dreams. Here are a few destinations you shouldn&#8217;t miss. It&#8217;s safe to say, you&#8217;ll be spoiled for choice.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-create-block-wp-image-link-list-block\"><div class=\"custom-row\"><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/outer-banks-fishing-complete-guide\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/12\/14142246\/Outer-Banks-Coastline.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Outer Banks<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/hatteras-fishing-complete-guide\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151231\/Hatteras-National-Seashore-scaled.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Hatteras<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/nags-head-fishing-complete-guide\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/05\/14143421\/Nags-Head-NC.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Nags Head<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-create-block-wp-image-link-list-block\"><div class=\"custom-row\"><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wilmington-fishing\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/02\/14134713\/Cape-Fear-River-Wilmington.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Wilmington<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-emerald-isle-the-complete-guide\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/14135907\/Bogue-Inlet-Fishing-Pier.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Emerald Isle<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-carolina-beach\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/07\/14152415\/Carolina-Beach-Fishig-Pier.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Carolina Beach<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-create-block-wp-image-link-list-block\"><div class=\"custom-row\"><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/oak-island-fishing\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/01\/14134827\/beach-Oak-Island.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Oak Island<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-morehead-city-the-complete-guide\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/09\/14152427\/Morehead-City-NC.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Morehead City<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-corolla-nc\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/14135819\/shutterstock_1885930891.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Corolla<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-create-block-wp-image-link-list-block\"><div class=\"custom-row\"><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/pamlico-sound-fishing\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/05\/14143458\/Pamlico-Sound.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Pamlico Sound<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-lake-norman\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/09\/14140537\/Lake-Norman-View.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Lake Norman<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wrightsville-beach-fishing\/\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142203\/Wrightsville-Beach-Pier.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Wrightsville Beach<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wanchese-fishing\/\">Wanchese<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/manteo-fishing-the-complete-guide\/\">Manteo<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/calabash-fishing\/\">Calabash<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><h2 id=\"types-of-fishing-in-north-carolina\">Types of Fishing in North Carolina<\/h2><p>The ways of fishing in NC are as numerous as the fish itself. Whatever your ambitions are, there&#8217;s a guide somewhere that can turn them into reality. Here are some of the most commonly practiced types of fishing you can try out.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-create-block-wp-image-link-list-block\"><div class=\"custom-row\"><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/charters\/search\/us\/NC?search_location=u0026booking_date%3Du0026booking_days%3D1u0026orderby%3Drecommendedu0026offset%3D0u0026limit%3D15u0026fishingTypeFilter%5B%5D%3Dfishing_type_inshore&amp;utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/02\/14150729\/Charleston-Charter-Fishing-scaled.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Inshore Fishing<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/technique\/big-game-fishing\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14135517\/Tournament-fishing-North-Carolina.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Deep Sea Fishing<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"custom-col\"><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/charters\/search\/us\/NC?search_location&amp;fishingTypeFilter%5B0%5D=fishing_type_lake&amp;utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\" style=\"background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)), url(https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14143802\/Fly-fishing-North-Carolina.jpg)\"><span class=\"image-title\">Freshwater Fishing<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Inshore Fishing<\/strong>: Marshes, inlets, creeks, and sounds &ndash; these are the things inshore fish adore. And it&#8217;s this exact scenery you&#8217;ll find all along North Carolina&#8217;s Atlantic coast. From sight fishing for Redfish to surfcasting for ravenous Bluefish, this inshore fishery is a national treasure. There are fish biting whenever you visit, with enough variety for beginners to learn and pros to beat their personal bests. <strong>Wilmington<\/strong>,<strong> the OBX<\/strong>, <strong>Crystal<\/strong> <strong>Coast<\/strong>, and <strong>Emerald<\/strong> <strong>Coast<\/strong> are all great coastal fisheries, so you can&#8217;t go wrong no matter where you visit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/deep-sea-fishing-north-carolina\/\">Deep Sea Fishing<\/a><\/strong>: As impressive as inshore fishing is on this part of the East Coast, the deepwaters hold even bigger prizes. North Carolina has excellent access to the Gulf Stream, where giants such as Bluefin Tuna, Marlin, Sailfish, and Wahoo roam. On the way to these prolific fishing grounds, you&#8217;ll also have the opportunity to fish various reefs and wrecks for the likes of Amberjack, Black Seabass, Grouper, and more. For the shortest ride to the Gulf Stream, depart from <strong>Hatteras<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Freshwater Fishing<\/strong>: Lastly, North Carolina also boasts incredible freshwater fisheries. In its rivers and lakes, you&#8217;ll get to catch everything from Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Striped Bass to different kinds of Catfish and Trout. The waters are also rich with Bluegill and Crappie, which are always welcome additions to the pan. Lakes such as <strong>Fontana<\/strong>, <strong>Norman<\/strong>, <strong>High<\/strong> <strong>Rock<\/strong>, and <strong>Hickory<\/strong> are just a few choice picks for freshwater fishing in NC.<\/li>\n<\/ul><h2 id=\"fishing-trips-in-north-carolina\">Fishing Trips in North Carolina<\/h2><p>While you can do basic surf or pier fishing on your own, the guidance of a local captain is invaluable to land bragworthy catches. This especially goes for offshore fishers in search of their next trophy.<\/p><p>The good news is that there are&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/charters\/search\/us\/NC?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=24660\">hundreds of charters<\/a>&nbsp;and even more trips to choose from. Whether you&#8217;re a novice and want to learn the ropes, going out with your kids, or you&#8217;re a seasoned fisherman ready to battle a monster catch, North Carolina fishing charters will make it happen.&nbsp;<\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='340' data-destination-title='North Carolina' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field=''data-filter-value=''data-headline='Top Fishing Charters in North Carolina'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><p><\/p><h2 id=\"north-carolina-fishing-regulations\">North Carolina Fishing Regulations<\/h2><p>One of the first things to think about when planning a fishing adventure in North Carolina is the type of <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-fishing-license\/\">fishing license<\/a>&nbsp;you&#8217;ll need. If you booked a trip with a saltwater charter guide, you&#8217;re off the hook &ndash; the permit is included in the price. <strong>Solo fishermen aged 16 and older<\/strong> need to buy an appropriate license, depending on where they&#8217;re casting their line.<\/p><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/sn5n2a7qni.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><style>wistia-player[media-id='sn5n2a7qni']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/sn5n2a7qni\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }<\/style><wistia-player media-id=\"sn5n2a7qni\" aspect=\"1.7777777777777777\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_outer_wrapper\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items: center; margin-top:-56.25%;\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_inner_wrapper\" style=\" overflow: auto;\"><p class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" style=\"text-align: justify; font-size: 5px !important;\">So you want to go fishing in North Carolina, but you&#039;re not sure which fishing license you need to get or if you even need one at all. This video will help answer some common questions regarding North Carolina fishing licenses so that you can hit the water with no worries. But before we get started, make sure you hit the like and subscribe buttons below to stay up on all the latest fishing videos from across the country. So,\r\n\r\nwho needs a fishing in North Carolina?\r\n\r\nIn short, every angler over the age of sixteen must have a valid fishing license when casting in North Carolina waters. This also applies to people who are helping others fish. Even if you don&#039;t have a rod, you&#039;ll still need to purchase license if you&#039;re helping others with stuff like baiting hooks and setting the drag.\r\n\r\nThere are some exceptions that don&#039;t require a fishing license, though.\r\n\r\nFor example, you don&#039;t need a license to fish in private ponds or on privately owned land.\r\n\r\nYou also don&#039;t need to buy a license if you&#039;ll be fishing on a saltwater charter boat with a licensed captain. North Carolina residents on leave from the military can fish for up to thirty days without a license. If you&#039;re home on furlough, make sure to carry your military ID and papers confirming your status when you&#039;re fishing.\r\n\r\nOn top of all of that, you don&#039;t need a license to fish on the Fourth of July. This is considered a free fishing day for both residents and non residents.\r\n\r\nOkay, so you know you need a license, but which one do you need to get?\r\n\r\nThis depends on a few factors, mainly whether you&#039;re a North Carolina resident or not, how long you&#039;ll be fishing for, and whether you&#039;re fishing in saltwater or freshwater.\r\n\r\nThe first difference between resident and non resident licenses is price. The cost of resident licenses is lower than for non residents, which is common in most states. The price will also vary depending on how long the license is valid for. The next thing you&#039;ll want to pay attention to is where you plan to go fishing. There are two main types of licenses, inland and coastal. Inland licenses cover all of North Carolina&#039;s freshwater, while coastal licenses cover saltwater. These are available for anything from ten days to an entire lifetime.\r\n\r\nAreas where fresh and saltwater meet are called joint waters. These are usually covered by either license, but you should always check for the waters you&#039;re fishing in before you head out. North Carolina residents, however, get a few special options such as combined or unified inland and coastal licenses, which allow you to fish in freshwater, saltwater, and joint areas without any issues and saves you the hassle of carrying both.\r\n\r\nYou can check out our full blog article linked in the description box below to get the full price breakdown for each licensing category.\r\n\r\nAs of twenty twenty, Trout stamps are included as standard with an inland license, so you don&#039;t have to make an additional purchase you plan on targeting North Carolina Trout. If you plan on fishing for them in what&#039;s referred to as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, you can purchase the cheaper three day trout license instead. However, if you&#039;ll be fishing for Trout outside of these designated waters, you&#039;ll still need to have a valid inland license.\r\n\r\nIf you plan on fishing with any special gear, a coastal license will cover non conventional tackle however, keep in mind you aren&#039;t allowed to target Redfish with a spear gun.\r\n\r\nAs rules and regulations can change from year to year, it&#039;s important to stay up to date by heading over to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission&#039;s main website or just give them a call during regular working hours.\r\n\r\nThe state of North Carolina also offers free unified lifetime fishing licenses to the following groups: North Carolina residents who rely on fishing for food, North Carolina residents who are legally blind, and residents in North Carolina care homes.\r\n\r\nIn addition to this, Unified Lifetime Fishing licenses are also available at a discounted price for people with physical disabilities. These include residents who are permanently and totally disabled and resident veterans who are fifty percent or more disabled.\r\n\r\nSo, now you know what kind of license you need, but how do you get one? There are three easy ways to buy a North Carolina fishing either online, by phone, or in person.\r\n\r\nTo purchase online, just go to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission&#039;s main website or call them during weekdays between eight am and five pm.\r\n\r\nYou can also visit a registered vendor to buy your license right there on the spot. Many tackle shops and hardware stores throughout the entire state sell them, so do big chain retailers such as Walmart.\r\n\r\nIf you&#039;ve lost your fishing license, no need to worry. It happens to the best of us. All you need to do is print and fill out the replacement form on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission&#039;s website and send it to their licensing office in Raleigh, North Carolina.\r\n\r\nJust remember to include a check or proof of money order to cover the administrative fee, and you&#039;ll receive your new license in the mail.\r\n\r\nAnd that&#039;s it! Now you have all the steps to get a North Carolina fishing license so you can finally hit the water safely and responsibly.\r\n\r\nFor even more information on license types as well as full price breakdowns, be sure to check out our full blog article by clicking on the link in the description box or just drop us a line in the comments below. And when you&#039;re finally ready to start planning your trip, head over to fishingbooker dot com and book a North Carolina Fishing Charter today.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/wistia-player><p>There are two types of licenses &ndash; <strong>Inland<\/strong> for freshwater fishing, and <strong>Coastal<\/strong> for saltwater endeavors. For more information on these, check out the video below.<\/p><p>Before you get out there, it&#8217;s also worthwhile to get familiar with the fish regulations. This way, you&#8217;ll know what you can keep and how many of them, too. The seasons, bag, and size limits can change yearly, so it&#8217;s best to pay a quick visit to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.nc.gov\/about\/divisions\/marine-fisheries\/rules-proclamations-and-size-and-bag-limits\/recreational-size-and-bag-limits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North Carolina&#8217;s DEQ website<\/a> for the most up-to-date information.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"north-carolina-fishing-faqs\">North Carolina Fishing FAQs<\/h2>\n<div id=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6\" class=\"fbgb-faq-block aligncenter fbgb-faq-style-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-container\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"0\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-0\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Does North Carolina have good fishing?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-0\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Yes! North Carolina has world-class fishing, especially if you\u2019re interested in hunting for big game such as Bluefin Tuna. Of course, it\u2019s not all about offshore monsters. The inshore and nearshore fishing grounds, as well as rivers and lakes, are all bountiful.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"1\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-1\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">What kind of fishing is there in North Carolina?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-1\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>All kinds! The Tar Heel State offers something for everybody, whether you\u2019re a fly fisherman, an inshore enthusiast, or a deep sea thrill-seeker. With its beautiful lakes and secluded inshore waters, North Carolina is also a family-friendly destination where your children can get a proper intro to fishing.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"2\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-2\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">What time of year is best to fish in North Carolina?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-2\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Fishing in North Carolina between spring and fall offers the most variety. However, it all depends on what you\u2019re after. Big Tuna show up in winter, while Marlin and Sailfish are here during summer. Inshore favorites such as Redfish, Black Drum, and Trout bite pretty much year-round.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"3\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-3\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Do I need a fishing license in NC?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-3\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Yes, unless you\u2019re fishing on a saltwater charter boat. On fishing charters, the captain will cover you with their license, but solo anglers aged 16 and up will need to buy their permits. There are separate licenses for freshwater and saltwater fishing so make sure to get the appropriate one.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"4\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-4\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Where is the best fishing in North Carolina?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69e87b6bc6db6-item-4\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>For big game fishing, head to the Outer Banks as the region offers the shortest ride to the Gulf Stream. Inshore fishing is great all along the coast, with Wilmington, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Carolina Beach serving as just some of the hotspots.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    \n    <\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does North Carolina have good fishing?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes! North Carolina has world-class fishing, especially if you&#8217;re interested in hunting for big game such as Bluefin Tuna. Of course, it&#8217;s not all about offshore monsters. The inshore and nearshore fishing grounds, as well as rivers and lakes, are all bountiful.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What kind of fishing is there in North Carolina?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"All kinds! 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Both the diversity and the quantity of fish draw anglers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":49369,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1472],"tags":[381,1007,543,348,347,444,415,373],"class_list":["post-24660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-where-to-fish","tag-blue-marlin","tag-deep-sea-fishing","tag-flounder","tag-fly-fishing","tag-inshore-fishing","tag-north-carolina","tag-redfish","tag-tuna"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>North Carolina Fishing: The Complete Guide (Updated 2022)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-fishing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"North Carolina Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Itching to go fishing in North Carolina? 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