Fisheries of Note

Here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina we are blessed with a great diversity of saltwater finfish species to pursue. As positioned, we are the southern range for many northern species and the northern range for many southern species. Maximum diversity is achieved late spring through fall, but with cooperative weather, there is a fish species available to pursue every month of the year. Amongst all of this opportunity and possibility there are some special fisheries of which you should be aware so as not to miss out!

A blue and white boat is floating on top of a body of water.
A man is holding a large fish on a boat in the ocean.

Cobia

(May-June)

One of my favorites! Mr. Brownsuit migrates up the east coast every spring and that migration passes through the waters of Cape Lookout starting around Mothers Day weekend continuing into June. The game is more of a hunt as we look for cruising fish that are free swimming, on bait balls of menhaden, or travelling with a Loggerhead. Sight fishing at its best. Nothing like watching a Cobia turn and zero in on your presentation. If weather or sea conditions prevents sight fishing, anchoring up and bottom fishing is productive as well. Don’t delay book your Cobia trip today.

Three men are standing on a boat holding two large fish.

Trophy Red Drum

(LATE AUGUST-September)

Late summer sees the influx of mature red drum into the Pamlico Sound and its many tributaries such as the Neuse River. They arrive to gorge on bait and spawn ensuring the next generation. A world class fishery, these fish are large with most being 30 to 60 lbs. This fishery is strictly regulated as Catch and Release ONLY. Our preferred method is anchoring up and bottom fishing cutbait such as menhaden and mullet on shoals and hardbottom. If the situation and conditions permit, light tackle presentations utilizing popping cork rigs and other artificial lures may be utilized. Morning fishing is productive; however, red drum have a propensity to take advantage of dusk into dark, giving afternoon into evening trips a more casual and family friendly starting time. If the wind blows, no worries, both drum and the Ragtime like it rough. Get on the books for your next trophy redfish adventure.

Two men are standing on a boat holding a large red fish.

Red Snapper

(July)

The season may only consist of a couple of days. To plan your trip timing for American Red Snapper check the most up to date season announcements at

https://safmc.net/regulations/regulations-by-species/red-snapper/

Grouper, vermillion snapper, triggerfish, black sea bass will also be in the catch as reds share the same habitat with many other bottom fish. These fish are only available to harvest a couple days a year, so book your Offshore trip aboard the "Ragtime" to get your opportunity.


A man is holding a fish on a boat in the ocean.

Dolphin

(Late April to June)

Mahi Mahi are at maximum density in our offshore waters late spring to fall and they can honestly be encountered year round, but nothing matches the spring migration (Late April through Early June) for shear numbers of gaffer dolphin passing through our waters. Multiple hook ups are common and nothing entertains like a lit up Bull tail-walking behind the boat. And to boot they are just plain tasty. The Ragtime puts in the work with rides to the Gulf Stream. As nearshore waters warm some of these fish will push in and become bonus catches on nearshore trips. Don’t delay book your Mahi trip selecting Full Day Offshore trip.

A young boy is holding two fish on a dock.

Flounder

(Maybe September/October)

Makes this list due to restricted seasons. I love catching them and I love eating them. The recreational season was closed for 2024, to the disappointment of many taxpayers, so we will have to wait and see what 2025 will bring recreational sector participants. However, I hold a NC commercial fishing license. As such, while chartering with me while the commercial season is open, we may harvest any legal flounder landed. The commercial season in 2024 was open in early October and I would expect the same in 2025. If you are wanting to take home some delicious flounder filets make sure to book a trip during this time frame.

A man is sitting on a boat holding a large fish

Gator Speckled Trout

(May-June)

The fall speckled trout bite, September thru December, here on the crystal coast is generally more productive in terms of sheer numbers of fish available versus the spring fishery. But the spring is the time to chase gator trout for legitimate shots at fish 25" to over 30" We target these big fish using natural balts.

Only putting icing on the cake, this time of year is also prime for slot red drum aggressive and hungry with warming late spring temperatures. Book the Breakday and gator hunting we will go.

A man is holding a fish on a boat in the ocean.

False Albacore

(Late Septemeber-November)

Pound for pound one of the strongest fish paddling our waters. They are just silly fun to catch with blistering runs and bulldog pullage. These speedsters are present year round but the fall fishery can be amazing with fish ranging from the surf zone to 10 miles out. Chasing busting fish or setting up on bait balls to wait their arrival is the norm but that can be subsidized with fishing behind Shrimp Trawls when they are present. Light tackle spinning gear and fly gear gets the nod presenting match the hatch casting jigs and flies, respectively. Everything about this fishery is visual including the scenery. Not to be missed.

A group of men are standing next to a large fish.

Giant Bluefin Tuna

(DECEMBER)

They are here to binge on abundant bait, namely Menhaden. We encounter these fish from just off the beach out to 15 miles. Pursuit can either be a trolling game with rigged ballyhoo or live baiting using bluefish or jumbo menhaden. No long boat rides are required to pursue these blue water giants and, almost always within sight of land. Although fish can arrive in late November and linger into January. December is the month commercial harvest is open and the season can close quickly so booking days in the first week of December can ensure getting a potential opportunity to participate in harvesting a Giant. Book your Bluefin adventure aboard the Ragtime today.

A man is holding a large fish on a boat in the ocean.

Wahoo

(Late August through November)

Like many of the species in this list, encountering wahoo is a possibility 12 months a year: however, late summer through fall in the Gulf Stream waters off Cape Lookout offers world class wahoo fishing in both numbers and size. Crushing strikes and blistering runs coupled with tablefare excellence makes them my favorite denizen of the bluewater. Bonus to this, these speedsters share the waters surrounding the Big Rock with other pelagics such as sailfish and blackfin tuna, that are also at a seasonal abundance. Book your offshore charter today on the Ragtime for your next bluewater adventure.

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