Where to Go Fishing in and Around Emerald Isle
The proximity of the Crystal Coast to the Gulf Stream offers fishermen the opportunity to catch an amazing variety of fish throughout the year.
Cobia is a popular catch in the spring. During the summer, flounder can be found in the inlets. The fall welcomes black drum, often weighing in at nearly a hundred pounds. The cold winter months offer some of the best striped bass and speckled trout fishing. And redfish, or red drum, are available year-round in shallower waters.
Pier Fishing
- Bogue Inlet Pier in Emerald Isle
- Oceanana Pier in Atlantic Beach
Inshore Fishing
The inshore waters of the Crystal Coast are rich with marine life which help to draw an abundance of drum, trout, flounder and other fish species. The area’s marshes, creeks, rivers and sounds can be accessed by boat, kayak or other watercraft via public boating ramps.
- Marshes on the soundside of Emerald Isle
- Hammock’s Beach State Park (Bear Island)
- Along the coast, from Beaufort Inlet to Cape Lookout National Seashore
- Waters off of Fort Macon State Park
It’s helpful to know where to go and what baits the fish are biting on. The Crystal Coast is home to a number of fishing guides that can help make your fishing experience one that will be remembered. Explore local charters, boating access areas and marinas.
Surf Fishing
The beaches that make up North Carolina’s Crystal Coast offer some of the best surf fishing available. From Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach and beyond, when you rent a vacation home from Emerald Isle Realty, surf fishing is only a few short steps away. Local bait and tackle shops are another great resource for discovering some of the fishing hotspots and what’s been biting where.
You’ll find numerous public beach access areas from Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach. You can also surf fish off of Bogue Inlet in Emerald Isle and off the Beaufort Inlet at Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach.
Deep-Sea Fishing
Looking to cast a line in deeper waters? Explore a detailed list of fishing charters available in and around Emerald Isle.
North Carolina Fishing Licenses
Planning to go fishing or crabbing in our coastal waters or on the beach? North Carolina requires that anyone over 16 have a license to fish or crab in the state’s sounds, coastal rivers and three miles out into the ocean. Know the rules and regulations for obtaining your North Carolina fishing license.
Don’t hesitate to contact Emerald Isle Realty’s Activities Department for information on fishing in Emerald Isle, NC. Call (866) 586-6980 or email activities@eirealty.com.
Guide to Fishing on the Crystal Coast
Whether you are fishing offshore, inshore or from the surf or pier, the Crystal Coast is a true fishermen’s paradise. Check out our guide to fishing on the Crystal Coast for more information.
