The nearshore action is heating up. Atlantic bonito are trickling in, and in a week or two, they’ll be here in numbers. Right now, folks are picking them off one by one. Meanwhile, big gray trout are showing up, and even tautog have made an appearance. On top of that, we’ve got porgies, ringtails, and black sea bass in the mix. If you’re looking to catch this wave, April is your window, because once the run is on, boats will fill up fast.

Fishing along the Cape Fear coast is heating up as we move deeper into spring there’s plenty of action both nearshore and offshore. Nearshore, the black sea bass bite has been excellent. These fish are stacked up on the wrecks and reefs and providing constant action. If you’re looking for steady rod-bending fun, nearshore trips are producing plenty of bites right now. Offshore, we’re also seeing big American red snapper showing up thick on the deeper structures. While these fish must be released outside of the open season, it’s still an incredible fight and a great opportunity to catch some truly impressive fish while targeting other bottom species. Looking ahead, we’re also keeping a close eye on the arrival of Atlantic bonito. Historically, these fast-moving fish start showing up around late March into early April, and we expect them to move into our waters any week now, with the bite usually getting strong by the first week of April. With warming water temperatures and more migratory species on the way, the fishing is only going to keep improving. If you’re looking to get out on the water, now is a great time to book a trip and take advantage of the action.

Spring fishing is starting to fire up along Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Right now the nearshore wrecks are loaded with black sea bass. The bite has been extremely consistent, and limits are coming fairly quickly on most trips. If you’re looking for steady action and great table fare, the nearshore sea bass fishing is about as reliable as it gets at the moment. A lot of bait has moved onto the beaches, including silversides and other small baitfish, which is a great sign for what’s coming next. Atlantic Bonito have already started showing up 10–12 miles offshore, and as soon as water temperatures push consistently above 55°F, they should move much closer to the beach. When that happens the bite can be fast and exciting with fish feeding aggressively on the surface. Historically, the bonito run is short but intense, typically lasting only 2–3 weeks, with late March through early April being the prime window. Once the bonito push through, we’ll start seeing a strong run of Spanish mackerel along the beaches, followed by increasing king mackerel activity both nearshore and offshore. Offshore fishing has also been productive with large king mackerel already being caught, but this time of year the key is finding the right weather window. Spring conditions can still be a little volatile offshore, so trips further out depend on the forecast. If you want the most consistent fishing right now, the nearshore trips targeting black sea bass are producing every day. And with the bonito run expected any time, the next few weeks should offer some of the most exciting fishing of the spring season. Tight lines!