Emerald Isle Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Emerald Isle Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Emerald Isle

Jack Jackson
Newport, North Carolina
Reported: 3 hours ago

The speckled trout bite is wide open right now. Casting suspending twitch baits such as Mirrolure 17mr's and Slicks as well as jigs tipped with a variety of soft plastic baits are producing good numbers of fish.

Jack Jackson Newport, North Carolina Reported: 3 hours ago

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Daniel Griffee
Morehead City, North Carolina
Reported: 4 months ago

Spanish are here and catching them casting jigs and trolling spoons, bluefish are crushing topwaters, and reds are in the marsh caught on topwater and popping corks.

Daniel Griffee Morehead City, North Carolina Reported: 4 months ago

Spanish are here and catching them casting jigs and trolling spoons, bluefish are crushing topwaters, and reds are in the marsh caught on topwater and popping corks.

Fishing in Morehead City, North Carolina

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Justin Ragsdale
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
Reported: 9 months ago

It's Black Seabass time of the year. A great spring break option. Lots of action and good eats too! And if the ocean doesn't cooperate weather wise, chasing tasty sea mullet can be a backup.

Justin Ragsdale Atlantic Beach, North Carolina Reported: 9 months ago

It's Black Seabass time of the year. A great spring break option. Lots of action and good eats too! And if the ocean doesn't cooperate weather wise, chasing tasty sea mullet can be a backup.

Fishing in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

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Daniel Griffee
Morehead City, North Carolina
Reported: 9 months ago

Reds are showing up inside in schools, calm sunny days you can go hunting, and nearshore we are catching black drum and sheepshead on the jetty's.

Daniel Griffee Morehead City, North Carolina Reported: 9 months ago

Reds are showing up inside in schools, calm sunny days you can go hunting, and nearshore we are catching black drum and sheepshead on the jetty's.

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Jack Jackson
Newport, North Carolina
Reported: 9 months ago

Been pretty cold here but the fish are still biting and it's starting to warm back up. Last few trips have been speckled trout and when we can get out to the jetty's there's black drum and sheepshead to be caught.

Jack Jackson Newport, North Carolina Reported: 9 months ago

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Jack Jackson
Newport, North Carolina
Reported: 10 months ago

Jack Jackson Newport, North Carolina Reported: 10 months ago

On our way to jig up bluefish for bait, we marked a large school of shad. Thinking that would be a good place to start fishing we marked it to come back to once we put some bait in the livewell. After putting a few 4-5 pound bluefish in the livewell we headed towards the bait we had marked. When we got about half a mile from it we started seeing birds working a few hundred yards in front of us. At that time we decided to deploy the bait and start fishing. Before we could get the second rod set, the first one started screaming but sadly didn't get hooked. Thinking it was probably a shark we baited back up and set the rods. Less than 10 minutes later we got the bite we were looking for and an hour and a half later had it tied off beside the boat. The fish was 108 inches long and cored (head, tail, and innards removed) out at 603 pounds.

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Daniel Griffee
Morehead City, North Carolina
Reported: 10 months ago

Daniel Griffee Morehead City, North Carolina Reported: 10 months ago

13lb mahi caught live baiting 1.5 miles off Atlantic Beach, he was not where he was supposed to be. Caught him on a live shad 20lb barracuda caught on AR 315 using a live pinfish 6lb speckled trout caught on a 1/2oz pink billy bay shrimp 7lb False Albacore caught casting metal jigs at busting Albies on 10lb test line 15lb leader 31" red drum caught inside waters on a popping cork and gulp shrimp, largest drum I've caught inside 50" bull red drum caught in the Neuse River on cut mullet

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Jack Jackson
Newport, North Carolina
Reported: 11 months ago

Fishing has been incredible. The speckled trout bite is extremely good. Put 35-40 in the boat on Sunday all 21-24 inches.

Jack Jackson Newport, North Carolina Reported: 11 months ago

Fishing has been incredible. The speckled trout bite is extremely good. Put 35-40 in the boat on Sunday all 21-24 inches.

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What's Biting in Emerald Isle

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★★★★★
I’m an experienced fisherman who wanted to become better at targeting red drum and trout. Joe not only put me in fish, but taught me things about fishing that area that will help me catch fish on my own for years to come. Highly recommend!
Casey D. | September 27, 2025

Trip: NC Classic Inshore Fishing Trip
★★★★★
Great guide service. Knowledgeable and friendly. Keeps putting you where you at least have a good chance of putting one in the boat.
Donald H. | September 22, 2025

Trip: Half Day Charter
★★★★★
We had the best morning with Justin! He was friendly, engaging, and provided a lot of education on the area, the water, the fish, and fishing. We got to explore many different parts of the river to ensure we had ample opportunities to catch both speckled trout and red drum. We also followed a pod of porpoises, which was a fun diversion. Justin cleaned our fish at the end of our excursion which we took home and prepared that evening for dinner. Delicious fish tacos thanks for Justin's guidance and navigation! We look forward to returning to the area and having Justin take us out for another fabulous adventure.
Stacy B. | July 9, 2025

Trip: Crystal Coast Inshore Trip - 22'
★★★★★
Very attentive the entire time. Rob is a great guy and wants to get you on fish. My boys and I had a great time.
Jayson M. | June 19, 2025

Trip: Half Or Full Day Excursions
★★★★★
Excellent trip. Coming back in the Fall for the big fish. Would definitely recommend this Captain and mate
Tina T. | June 7, 2025

Trip: Fish On The Historic JAWS Boat
★★★★★
The trip with Captain Jeffrey and Caitlyn was an A-1 experience. Both were helpful, knowledgeable and worked well together. Overall the only negatives to the trip was wind and tide. Will definitely ask for Jeffrey and Caitlyn again in the future.
Randy W. | June 1, 2025

Trip: Morehead City Cobia Hunt
★★★★★
My mom and I had Captain Daniel and he was so amazing! He made our experience out of this world. We had so much fun and caught quite a few fish. I want to book him again in the future. Words can't describe how unforgettable this experience was. Thank you again 💓
Amanda R. | May 11, 2025

Trip: NC Classic Inshore Trip
★★★★★
Had a great time with Captain Joseph and Chaz. They kept us entertained and taught us a lot about the area and fishing. Would definitely do it again.
John W. | April 19, 2025

Trip: Fish On The Historic JAWS Boat
★★★★★
Bradley is top notch. Everything from the gear, to the location, guide skill, and hunting dog was everything a person could look for in a guided hunt. Bradley’s dog, Shay, made some of the most impressive waterfowl retrieves I have ever seen. I will be sure to book with him again next season!
Jacques O. | January 4, 2025

Trip: Open Water Scissor Rig Duck Hunts
★★★★★
Captain Joseph and Captain Chaz were excellent guides and have expert skills in fishing! Captain Joseph has so much knowledge with a bonus of loads of personality! We could tell that he truly enjoyed being able to put us on the fish! It was a wonderful experience that we would gladly race to experience again and again! Captain Chaz is also a wonderful guide and worked tirelessly to keep our poles going and the fish into the cooler! Because of his efforts we headed back to Indiana with a cooler full of fish! Thank you so much, Captain Joseph and Captain Chaz!
Timothy H. | December 6, 2024

Trip: Fish On The Historic JAWS Boat

Top Fishing Trips in Emerald Isle

Damn Good

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Inshore, Nearshore, River in Harkers Island

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23 ft 1 - 8 People From $500

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Beaufort

Offshore Trolling Trip

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Inshore, Nearshore, Eco Tour in Newport

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22 ft 1 - 10 People From $550

Damn Good

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.