Emerald Isle is a textbook example of a thriving tourist hotspot. It’s situated on the northern end of the Golden Coast and its residential population never exceeded more than 4,000 people. However, come summer and peak tourism season, there’s likely to be more than ten times that number of people staying there. This interest extends to Emerald Isle fishing charters as well, since the location is very well suited for offshore fishing trips to the Gulf Stream.

The breathtaking vistas are best enjoyed on the numerous bike paths that cover most of the coastline. Once you’re done with your fishing trip, make sure to visit Emerald Isle Woods Park — you wouldn’t want to miss the dune trails and kayak trips.

Emerald Isle Fishing Spots

Bogue Sound

Bogue Sound separates Emerald Isle from the mainland, and it’s a popular inshore fishing location to boot. You’re bound to see plenty of people on kayaks fishing for Flounder and Speckled Trout, especially during fall and early winter. If you fish near the USMC Auxiliary Airport, you might be treated to a nice look at military jets going out to the Atlantic for drills.

Emerald Isle Pier

The Emerald Isle Pier is where all sorts of adventures take place, beloved by both anglers for its length and fishing opportunities as well as tourists for the breathtaking sights it offers. You’ll see plenty of anglers on boats nearby, not just on the pier itself. If you get to visit it only once we recommend doing so at sunset. You can thank us later! Fish caught here can vary depending on the time of day and season, with anything from simple Bluefish to Spanish Mackerel and Sharks being fair game. Make sure to dress in layers because it can get very windy at times.

The Point

As far as Emerald Isle surf fishing goes, The Point is the number 1 spot you need to visit. It’s located on the westernmost tip of the island, and has almost a mile of pristine surfing area to navigate. What most newcomers to The Point won’t notice is that behind it lies a 3-sided island hole that’s brimming with quality bait for you to use.  A good Flounder bite is almost guaranteed in autumn, and evening casts for Reds are the way to go if you want to relax after a long day.

Gulf Stream

Travelling 40 miles out to sea will bring you to the Gulf Stream, which is teaming with game fish. See if you can find a comfortable boat, because fishing the Gulf Stream is very rewarding but takes time. Getting on a good boat shouldn’t be too much of a problem since Emerald Isle is a popular launching point for offshore charters and plenty of captains specialize in providing the finest experience. Once you’re finally there, you can fish until you drop for some of the North Atlantic's favorite big game fish like Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Marlin, and more.

If you don’t have too much time on your hands you can visit the closer artificial wrecks like AR 285 or AR 330. Not more than 15 miles away, you can have a quick 5 or 6-hour trip and be back in time for lunch.

Fishing Techniques

When fishing on the surf there’s a couple of things to bear in mind, especially if you plan on fishing Bogue Inlet from The Point. Most importantly, be wary of very long casts because you can easily get a strong bite out of nowhere, and the prospective catch bolts off with 100 yards of line before you know it. If you’re proficient with C-rigs, you’ll make great use of them in these waters.

For those more interested in deep sea fishing from Emerald Isle, you’re sure to have fun on longer trips to the Gulf Stream. Trolling is likely to be your go-to for Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Blue and White Marlin, Tuna, and other big game fish. Make sure to check what the best time is to go fishing for your dream fish. You can’t expect to go after both Bluefin Tuna and Sailfish at the same time, so plan accordingly.

Need to Know

Going out with a professional charter service is generally the most hassle-free way to go fishing, and it means you will not need to buy any sort of fishing license. In all other cases you will need to acquire a valid North Carolina Fishing license, including when fishing from a pier or beach.

Make sure to keep your eye out for the latest regulations when it comes to species caught in the Atlantic that have opened and closed seasons, most notably Red Snapper and Spanish Mackerel. Some fishing seasons will close early once the annual catch limit is met.