July 2026 fishing report

Fishing along the Carolina Beach coast continues to produce plenty of action despite the summer heat. Sharks remain one of the most consistent bites, making for exciting trips with opportunities at quality fish throughout the day. One of the biggest highlights right now is the number of large barracuda showing up. These fish are incredibly aggressive around hooked fish, and it’s common to watch them follow a catch all the way to the boat—or even steal it before you can land it. Getting them to commit, however, takes the right presentation. Large barracuda have seen plenty of rigs over the years, so lighter, less visible wire leaders often produce more bites. That said, presenting a large live bait can trigger an instinctive reaction, and even cautious fish will often crush a properly presented offering. For anglers looking to bring home dinner, flounder, red drum, and black drum continue to provide good opportunities around the inlets, docks, marsh edges, and other inshore structure. Live bait remains the top producer, and the larger schools of mullet finally beginning to arrive should only improve the bite over the coming weeks. This year’s mullet run started a little later than normal, but the bait is finally showing up in good numbers. Nearshore anglers should also keep a live bait ready for king mackerel. Big kings are still cruising just off the beaches and can provide an unforgettable fight when conditions allow. If offshore conditions become too rough, don’t overlook the jetties and Intracoastal Waterway. Success inside has been highly dependent on the tides, with moving water producing the best action. Planning your trip around a favorable tide can make all the difference on days when the ocean isn’t cooperating. Offshore, the fishing remains excellent whenever the weather provides a window. American red snapper season is open, giving anglers another outstanding opportunity to fill the cooler. Grouper and snapper fishing continues to be very productive, while big amberjack are providing hard-fighting action over the wrecks and ledges. Blue water anglers are also finding solid numbers of mahi and wahoo, making offshore trips well worth the run when sea conditions allow. As always, weather determines everything this time of year, so keep an eye on the forecast and take advantage of the calm days when they come. Tight lines, and we’ll see you on the water!