If you're planning to head out fishing in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina today, January 30, 2025, here's what you need to know:

First, let's look at the tides. For Atlantic Beach, the first low tide is at 1:13 AM with a height of -0.73 feet, followed by a high tide at 7:40 AM reaching 4.48 feet. The second low tide is at 2:06 PM with a height of -0.56 feet, and the second high tide is at 7:58 PM, reaching 3.47 feet.

The weather is expected to be relatively calm, which is a welcome change from the strong winds we've seen lately. Sunrise is at 7:06 AM and sunset is at 5:34 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get out on the water.

Fish activity has been strong in recent days. Yesterday saw a good bite from speckled trout, redfish, and striped bass. Offshore, there were successful catches of bluefin tuna, with some boats landing "overs" and "unders" bluefin. Tautog have also been active, with some trips yielding a limit of up to nine and a half pounds.

For lures, paddletail soft plastics, gold spoons, shrimp lures, and jerkbaits/flukes are highly effective. When targeting bluefin tuna, trolling with appropriate lures and bait is the way to go. For subsurface fishing, weighted softbaits and metal jigs are excellent choices. Live or artificial shrimp and mullet imitations are also highly recommended, especially during the cooler months.

As for hot spots, consider the tuna grounds off the coast where several boats have found success with bluefin tuna. The areas around Atlantic Beach and Morehead City are also productive, especially the structure around artificial reefs like AR-305 off Cape Lookout.

So, pack your gear, check the tides, and get ready for a great day of fishing off the coast of North Carolina. Just be prepared for the chilly winter weather and any potential wind challenges. Stay warm and tight lines