The southern coast of North Carolina is an angler's paradise where fishing can be enjoyed 12 months of the year, minus a few uncooperative winter days. The estuaries, brackish swamps and mud flats of these shallow, coastal waters are excellent nurseries for shrimp, crabs, oysters and fin fish, making it a veritable seafood gumbo.
With ocean temperatures ranging from the 70s in the Gulf Stream to the 50s near shore in the winter months, king mackerel, sea bass and tuna can be caught in the ocean, while striped bass can be caught in the rivers. During the spring, summer and fall months, tarpon, red drum, Spanish mackerel, flounder, sea bass, blue marlin, sailfish, shark, wahoo, dolphin and many others are plentiful.
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) has a wealth of information regarding fishing in North Carolina coastal waters. They offer a free, two-page brochure entitled "The North Carolina Recreational Coastal Waters Guide for Sports Fishermen". They also have information on fishing licenses (including the new North Carolina Saltwater Fishing License, which went into effect in 2007), bag and size limits for various species, fishing reports, and recreational and commercial fishing regulations, as well as a handy Fish Finder for identifying and describing all North Carolina fish by common name, with data and color illustrations of the species. These and many other sources of information on fishing can be found on their website at www.ncdmf.net or you can call them at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632 (NC only).
Since the early 1970s, the NCDMF has helped create artificial reefs that provide habitats for sea life. These reefs consist of old ships, railroad cars, bridge rubble, concrete and FADs (fish-attracting devices). Using the motto "We sink 'em – you fish 'em," reef architects have built dozens of reefs over the years. Judging by the number of sheepshead and mackerel landed on an average day, the program seems to be paying off. Charts and GPS coordinates to lead you to these sites are available by clicking "Artificial Reef Guide" on the NCDMF website.
The Cape Fear River offers excellent freshwater fishing, with available species including largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, herring and American and hickory shad. Spring is the peak season for largemouths, which usually range between 1.5 to 3 pounds. Bass can be located near the mouths of the larger tributary creeks, such as Turnbull, Hammonds, Sturgeon, Livingston and the upper reaches of Town Creek. Bluegill are also plentiful and are available during the spring spawning season near locks and dams. Bluegills average one-half to three-quarters of a pound. American and hickory shad can be found in the lower Cape Fear River below Wilmington and can be taken below each of the three locks and dams above Wilmington. The three largest members of the freshwater catfish family — the channel, blue and flathead — can be found in the Cape Fear River from Lillington to the Black River. Catfish are considered non-game fish and therefore have no size or creel restrictions. They can be taken by a variety of fishing methods. April, May, September and October are the best catfish months.
Information on inland water limits and licenses is available from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606 (physical address); 1721 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1721 (mailing address). They offer the North Carolina Regulations Digest, which contains information on inland fishing, hunting and trapping. Call (919) 707-0391 or (888) 248-6834 for license information or (919) 707-0220 for general fishing information. The entire digest is also online at www.ncwildlife.org.
Note that fishing from most bridges in the area is prohibited because bridges often traverse boating channels. Be sure to check the signs on bridges before casting. Small-boat owners have many fishing opportunities around the mouths of creeks and inlets, especially during incoming tides when the boat and the bait can drift in with the bait fish. Small boats should use caution at ocean inlets during outgoing tides because the currents can be strong. If you’re traveling without tackle, rental gear is sometimes available. In addition to the fishing piers listed in this chapter, you can check one of the many tackle shops that abound along the coast.
