North Carolina’s Crystal Coast—an 85-mile length of picture-perfect coastline extending from Cape Lookout National Seashore to the New River—continues to headline the conversations of anglers seeking the best saltwater fishing in the continental United States. With compelling opportunities for surf, inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing, the Crystal Coast should be on the list of every angler who enjoys spending time in the salt.
An estimated 58 million Americans enjoyed some form of sport fishing in 2023—whether that be freshwater, saltwater, or fly-fishing—marking the highest US fishing participation rate in over a decade. The Crystal Coast is the perfect place for both seasoned and new anglers to wet their lines; there is no shortage of serious fishing, and there are also fine restaurants, welcoming places to stay, and plenty of other activities both on and off the water. Serious anglers will find more than enough opportunities for a variety of species, whether they prefer to fish inshore or far offshore.
Surf-Fishing
For those who favor a more relaxed day chasing fish and don’t want to get out on a boat, surf-casting is a relaxed, family-friendly way to spend the day seeing what might nibble at the end of your line. Prime surf-fishing season runs from May to October, but it’s possible to surf-cast throughout the year—just bring your layers during the winter months. It’s possible to catch black and red drum, speckled trout, striped bass, bluefish, sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, stingrays, and more from the comfort of the beach. Set up a beach chair, bring the cooler, rig your rods, and enjoy a relaxing day on the beach while also getting in some fishing hours. It’s an economical way to fish, and anglers can find success using real bait such as shrimp, mullet and squid, as well as artificial lures, on the 56 miles of protected beaches along the Crystal Coast.
Inshore Fishing
The Crystal Coast’s backwater fisheries, tucked along the bayside of the region’s barrier islands, are prime fishing grounds for famous sport fish such as black drum, redfish, Southern flounder, and speckled trout. Anglers will often find themselves fishing in relatively shallow water—it’s a special moment in life to watch a redfish hunting in 15 inches of water and landing a cast right in its path. Fishing for redfish in coastal backwaters is a classic rite of passage for anglers, and the Crystal Coast holds bountiful habitat for these fish. It’s common to catch redfish ranging from 3 to 15 or so pounds, but fish up to 40 pounds have been caught along this coastline, so you never know what will grab your line!
Speckled trout—another core inshore target—can often be targeted on grassy, submerged flats during the warm spring and summer months as they cruise for food, though they can also range from coastal rivers all the way to the surf pending the time of year. Flounder are also well worth fishing for and have proved to be a favorite of savvy inshore anglers. One of the best dinner-table fish around, look for these flat fish along the bottom of the bay as well as sun-warmed holes and mudflats during the daytime.
Nearshore Fishing
Nearshore fishing refers to waters just off the beach, extending to around 10 or 20 miles offshore. Along the Crystal Coast, these bountiful waters are home to healthy schools of cobia, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and king mackerel. Without a long run in the boat, anglers can enjoy the feeling of finding productive, fun fishing in the ocean but then make a quick run back to town for a restaurant dinner with their new catch.
Offshore
Fishing gets a little more intense—in the best of ways—the farther that anglers head offshore. As the water grows deeper, so do the fishing opportunities. Here, the warming currents of the Gulf Stream bring a variety of pelagic fish relatively close to shore, and anglers travel from around the world to chase marlin, mahimahi, tuna, amberjack, sailfish, wahoo and other species. If offshore angling is on your bucket list, explore the many experienced charter boats available, which have high-quality gear and know where to find fish in these waters.
Whatever your fishing style, you’ll find yourself warmly welcomed along the Crystal Coast. This is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, brimming with diverse ecosystems and healthy fisheries. Easy to access and home to wonderful towns ready to make fishing trips memorable for the entire family, the Crystal Coast stands ready to welcome anglers to its shores.
For more information about the Crystal Coast, visit crystalcoastnc.org.
