Casting Autumn's Bounty: Epic Fishing Forecast for North Carolina's Atlantic Waters

For October 12, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know:

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
Today, the sunrise is at 7:14 AM, and the sunset will be at 6:33 PM. Tides are moderate, with high tide at 9:15 AM and low tide at 3:15 PM. The weather forecast shows a gentle breeze with clear skies, making it an ideal day to be out on the water.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a lot of action in the nearshore waters. Bluefish are abundant, particularly around the shoals off Cape Lookout, with some large ones in the 8-14 pound range. King mackerel have started to move closer to the beach, and you can catch them right outside the inlet. Spanish mackerel and false albacore are also making appearances, often mixed in with schools of bluefish.

### Types of Fish Caught
Speckled trout are becoming a prime target, especially in the backs of creeks and areas off the Newport and North rivers. Live shrimp are the go-to bait for these trout, as well as for black drum staged around shell bottoms and structure. Red drum, particularly slot-sized ones, are being caught in Adams Creek and the lower Neuse River, using cut baits and live shrimp. Sheepshead and puppy drum are also active in these areas.

### Best Lures and Bait
For speckled trout, live shrimp on deeper ledges and drop-offs with nearby structure like oysters or rocks are highly effective. For red drum, topwater baits like Spooks or popping corks rigged with live bait or scented artificials work well. For bluefish and Spanish mackerel, sight-casting small jigs like Hogy Epoxy Minnows and Big Nic Spanish Candies to surface-feeding frenzies is productive. King mackerel are being caught using natural and live baits, as well as spoons.

### Hot Spots
If you're looking for a hot spot, head to the shoals off Cape Lookout for bluefish and king mackerel. Adams Creek into the Neuse River is a great place for red drum and sheepshead. The nearshore waters around Atlantic Beach, particularly outside Bogue Inlet, are excellent for catching false albacore and Spanish mackerel.

With the mullet runs starting, the feeding patterns of speckled trout and red drum will be very active, so keep an eye out for birds working shrimp or surface swirls to locate your target areas. Good luck out there