Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish & Jacks

Summer Fishing is Heating Up! The summer bite is in full swing, and there are fish to target no matter what type of trip you’re looking for. Gulf Stream: Bottom fishing has been outstanding, with coolers filling up with scamp grouper, silky snapper, blackfin snapper, and vermilion snapper. If you’re looking for a serious fight, the amberjack have been absolutely massive. On the troll, we’re seeing consistent action from mahi, with many fish showing up in the 35-50 mile range. The annual mullet migration is finally getting underway. Bait schools are getting thicker by the day and will continue to build throughout July and August, setting the stage for even better fishing in the weeks ahead. Nearshore: Shark fishing remains one of our most consistent trips, with plenty of action and opportunities at multiple species. Mixed in with the sharks, we’re catching black sea bass, ringtails, flounder, gray trout, and Spanish mackerel. The Spanish bite has slowed some as the warm water has spread across the coast, but they’re still around for anglers willing to put in the effort. One of the most exciting bites right now is the big barracuda stacked up on the nearshore reefs and wrecks. These fish are visual predators, and watching one explode on a live bait is something you’ll never forget. Large live baits are the key, and a natural presentation is important since many of these fish have already seen a few hooks this season. Whether you’re looking to battle sharks close to the beach, fill the cooler offshore, or make the run to the Gulf Stream for premium bottom fishing and mahi, there’s no shortage of action right now. I’d love the opportunity to get you and your crew on the water, make some lifelong memories, and put you on fish. Summer dates are filling quickly, so book your trip now and let’s go fishing!

Offshore at 20 miles, we’re seeing vermilion snapper, sea bass, and amberjack, with kingfish hitting best early. Bottom fishing stays strong all day. Grouper are in season until August 2—book now before gag grouper close. American red snapper season runs July 1 to August 31—our first long season in years. Further out, the Gulf Stream is producing wahoo and growing numbers of mahi. Mullet are in, providing top bait. Nearshore, bluefish are still around, sharks are strong all summer, and barracuda will stack up in July and August. Kingfish action stays hot. Book now to catch prime season species.

Spring fishing is firing on all cylinders right now here off the Carolina coast. Gulf Stream trips have been producing consistent wahoo as water temps creep into the high 70s, and mahi are officially starting to show up regularly with catches on our last two stream trips. Bottom fishing offshore has also been strong with plenty of grouper and snapper, and the bigger amberjacks are beginning to arrive — and they’ll only continue getting larger as we move toward peak summer fishing. The biggest challenge lately hasn’t been the fishing — it’s been the weather. Offshore opportunities have depended heavily on finding the right weather windows, so when the ocean lays down, it’s time to go. Closer to the beach, nearshore fishing continues to stay very productive. Shark numbers are increasing daily, black sea bass are still around in solid numbers, and gray trout, red drum, and Spanish mackerel are keeping rods bent. The Spanish bite has been best around sunrise, although fish are still being caught throughout the day. King mackerel are also beginning to show up bigger and bigger nearshore, with reports of 30- and even 40-pound fish being caught right off the beach. Pogies are everywhere right now, mullet will be arriving soon, and from now through late June and into early July, fishing is heating up across the board — nearshore, offshore, and all the way out in the Gulf Stream. If you’ve been thinking about getting out on the water, now’s the time. Let’s go put some fish in the box.