Artificial Lure coming to you with the July 6, 2025, Atlantic Ocean North Carolina fishing report. We’re dodging storms and chasing fins, so let’s jump right in.

First, today’s **weather** has been dominated by the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal. She made landfall early this morning and is now a tropical depression, bringing scattered showers, periods of heavy rain, gusty winds up to 35 mph, and a stubborn chance for localized flash flooding. Surf’s rough, and minor storm surge was hitting the coastline around high tide, so use caution on the water and watch those inlets for debris and rip currents. Several lifeguard organizations from Myrtle to Wilmington reported rescues today, underscoring the power of the post-storm surf, so stay sharp if you’re launching small craft (ABC News and FOX Weather).

**Tides** for Atlantic Beach: high tide kicked off at 4:29 am, low tide rolled in at 10:43 am, and your next high will be pushing up around 5 pm. Plan your inlet and beach moves around these for safety and success (Tide-Forecast.com).

**Sunrise** hit at 6:07 am with a lingering thick cloud cover, and **sunset** comes at 8:18 pm. Cloudy skies will keep things cooler but also test your sight-fishing skills.

**Fish activity:** Despite the choppy conditions, offshore boats that braved the early morning blue water reported a better day than yesterday. Captains out of Hatteras Harbor say Blackfin Tuna, Albacore, Skipjacks, and Wahoo hit the decks, with occasional sightings and a release of Blue Marlin. Inshore, catch rates remained solid for **Sheepshead, Bluefish, and Red Drum**, along with a few Cobia. Multiple boats brought in keeper limits on Red Drum, and Sheepshead are clinging tight to pilings and structure (Hatteras Harbor Marina report).

**Best lures and bait:** After heavy rain and wind, water clarity’s turned a bit murky, especially near inlets, so go *bright and noisy*.
- For inshore Red Drum and Sheepshead: use crab or fiddler pieces if you can get them, otherwise juicy shrimp chunks do the trick. Pitch pink or chartreuse soft plastics, or Gulp crab imitations on jig heads around the piers and bridges.
- In the surf: fresh cut mullet and menhaden chunks are pulling Bluefish and Drum when cast beyond the breaker line.
- Offshore action is seeing tuna and wahoo smash cedar plugs, deep-diving blue/silver Rapalas, and ballyhoo rigs with bright skirts.

**Hot spots:**
- **Hatteras Inlet** – The drops around the shoals, especially where the tide rips, have been holding Drum and the occasional Cobia.
- **Oregon Inlet** – Flounder and Bluefish along the bridge and outflow, with Drum lurking just inside on the flats.
- Offshore, the **Gulf Stream edge** at 20-30 miles remains the ticket for pelagic hunters, especially after the storm pushed bait in.

**Safety tip:** The storm has left some lingering strong currents and debris. Keep an eye on the bar crossings and listen to marine VHF for any shifting sand or emergency updates.

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