"Atlantic Ocean Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, and More on the Bite"

Today, October 17th, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina is looking promising. Here in Atlantic Beach, the sun rose at 7:19 AM and will set at 6:35 PM, giving us a full day to hit the waters.

The tidal conditions are quite active, with a tidal coefficient of 114, indicating very high tides. The first high tide was at 1:22 AM, and the next will be at 7:33 AM, reaching 6.7 feet. The low tide is at 2:01 PM, with a height of -0.4 feet, and the next high tide will be at 8:01 PM, reaching 5.9 feet.

The weather is mild, making it ideal for a day out on the water. With the water temperatures steadily rising, the fish are becoming more active. Yesterday, anglers were catching a good number of bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and flounder both nearshore and inshore. Red drum, particularly the bigger ones, are starting to show up in the ocean on hard bottoms and around the inlets.

For targeting red drum, using fresh cut or live menhaden or mullet on Carolina rigs with a medium to heavy rod and at least thirty-pound mono or braid is recommended. Artificial lures like Gulp Shrimp on Fusion Jigheads or top-water plugs like MirrOlure Top Dog Jr’s are also effective, especially along marsh grass lines and shallow oyster rocks.

Spanish mackerel and false albacore are also abundant, particularly around the inlets and nearshore artificial reefs. Casting small spoons like Big Nic Spanish candies on light spinning tackle or using high-speed spinning reels can yield good results. Keep an eye out for jumping Spanish and diving birds, as these are indicators of where the fish are.

Speckled trout are another target species this time of year, and they can be caught using hard baits like MirrOlures or live bait such as smaller mullets, mud minnows, and live shrimp. Floating these live baits with a cork and a small treble hook in shallow waters or using light Carolina rigs in deeper waters can be very effective.

Hot spots include the Beaufort Inlet, the Bogue Sound, and the Core Sound, where you can find a mix of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. The Newport, North, and Neuse Rivers are also great areas to explore, especially during early mornings or late afternoons when the top-water bite is good.

Overall, it's shaping up to be a great day for fishing in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina, with plenty of fish to go around and favorable conditions. Just remember to check the weather forecast and tidal conditions before you head out.