One of the biggest draws to living in Southeastern North Carolina is the water access. Whether on the beach, in the intracoastal waterways, canals, or the rivers, the Cape Fear coast offers various ways to enjoy the outdoors and get out on the water. One of the most popular ways to do so in our area is fishing! Whether for recreation or sport, many anglers enjoy the opportunities to fish in Coastal NC.
One reason fishing is so popular here is the variety. Whether fishing for table fair or for sport, there is something for everyone. Wondering what kind of fish are being hooked? Here is a list of the most frequently caught along our coast:
| Red Drum | Spanish Mackerel |
| Southern Flounder | King Mackerel |
| Bluefish | Black Drum |
| Sheepshead | Speckled Sea Trou |
| Black Sea Bass | Cobia |
Our local area offers plenty of options to reel in fish. You may prefer to cruise the Intracoastal waterways or take your boat offshore. Maybe you prefer to fish from the shoreline of one of our local beaches. There are many popular fishing piers in our areas as well, such as Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier in Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach Fishing Pier, Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, and two fishing piers on Oak lsand.
For those new to fishing, there are plenty of charter options available to learn the ropes and be taken out to the best fishing spots to get set up for success! More serious anglers may enjoy one of the many fishing tournaments hosted here. Some upcoming tournaments this year include the following:
- East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Tournament in Carolina Beach (July 10)
- Greater Wilmington King Mackerel Tournament in Wrightsville Beach (July 9-10)
- US Open King Mackerel Tournament in Southport (October 2-3).
No matter how you choose to fish, it’s a great activity to spend a few hours outside on the water and enjoy fresh air. As most would agree, a bad day fishing is still better than a day not fishing at all!
