This is Artificial Lure with your Atlantic North Carolina fishing report for August 6, 2025. Water’s been a little rowdy off the coast today and looks to stay bumpy right through the weekend. The National Weather Service’s newer marine update has a Small Craft Advisory in effect from Duck all the way to Ocracoke—NE winds blowing steady 15 to 25 knots, occasionally gusting to 30 knots, and seas stacked 5 to 8 feet. Not a great window for the smaller boats, so use caution or look for those protected inshore spots if you’re heading out.

Sunrise came at 6:22 a.m. and you’ve got daylight to fish until sunset around 8:01 p.m. Tides are moving strong—Atlantic Beach posted a high at 7:10 this morning and you’ll get another flood tide around 7:40 p.m. Midday slack will likely be slow, but those end-of-day high tides could trigger a solid bite, especially as the sun dips and water temps cool slightly.

Folks who braved the big surf yesterday and today are reporting, “Big water, big fish.” If you can handle the rougher ride, nearshore wrecks and reefs have been giving up quality flounder—multiple 6-pounders hit the docks, according to Captain Ron up near the Highlands, and most trips managed full limits with some memorable pool fish. Red drum and bluefish are still biting along the beaches and inlets; Spanish mackerel are around, but you’ll have to work for them with the water turned up. Sheepshead and black drum are holding tight to structure, especially under the bridges and at the pilings. Out past the surfbreak, king mackerel and an occasional cobia are snatching up moving baits on those outgoing tide swings.

Lure action right now is red-hot—literally. Anglers working red and cayenne plastics, especially craw trailers on jigs or bucktails, are catching both flounder and drum this week. If you’re trolling for kings or Spanish, South Chatham Tackle’s “Pirate Plug” paired with a dead cigar minnow or ballyhoo is a proven winner in this sloppy chop. For sheepshead and black drum, drop fiddler crabs or shrimp right into the heavy structure and wait for those sharp taps.

Live bait is solid—mullet, menhaden, and shrimp remain top picks right now. Cast-net your own if you’re after larger drum or drifting for trout in the inlets. For artificial, stick with bright, contrasting colors like chartreuse or red during the day for better visibility in stirred-up water.

Hot spots to hit: Oregon Inlet remains a reliable crossroads, especially along the edges around prime tide shifts. Also be sure to check the wrecks and reefs off Atlantic Beach for doormat flounder and lurking cobia, especially on morning and evening highs. If you want protected water, the creeks and marshes behind Morehead City are still holding plenty of puppy drum and occasional speckled trout.

A quick reminder: conditions are hazardous for small vessels the next few days, so prioritize safety, double-check your gear, and don’t hesitate to fish the calmer backwaters if the ocean seems too rowdy.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s North Carolina Atlantic report. Be sure to subscribe for your daily water updates and the hottest local tips. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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