Artificial Lure here with your June 22, 2025 Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina fishing report. We’re talking sunup to sundown action, fish on the move, and local know-how—let’s get into it.

Today’s sunrise hit at 5:55 AM, with sunset rolling in around 8:26 PM. We’ve got a mix of clouds and sun, highs touching 86°F, moderate SW winds up 10–15 knots, and a chance of scattered afternoon thunderstorms—so keep an eye on the sky and don’t forget that rain slicker.

Tidal movement is in your favor for both morning and evening missions. According to the Oceanana Pier chart, high tide crested at 4:49 AM and returns strong at 5:22 PM. The lows fall mid-morning (10:46 AM) and just before midnight. Those incoming afternoon tides are prime time for inshore feeding frenzies.

Let’s talk catches. According to reports out of Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach, surf anglers have been reeling in steady numbers of whiting, croakers, and bluefish, with pompano and a few small sharks mixed in. Inshore, black drum are hot—best found around docks, bridges, and oyster beds, especially with that new tide moving. The flounder bite is up in the ICW and Cape Fear River but remember: regulations may have those closed to keepers, so check before you slide ‘em in the cooler.

Red drum numbers are climbing, with more slot-sized fish pushing into the grass edges and oyster points. Smaller reds—16 to 18 inches—are hitting Carolina-rigged live or cut bait, with outgoing and rising tides both producing. For lures, topwater action is solid early and late. MirrOlure Top Dog Jr, Top Pup, and popping corks near structure or along grass lines are drawing big strikes—especially in low light. For mid-day, switch to soft plastics like Berkley Gulp on a jighead or Powerbait Shrimp pitched to deeper holes and docks.

Off the beach, nearshore kings are scattered, but the Spanish mackerel bite is excellent. Trolling Clark spoons or sight casting Big Nic Spanish Candies into busting schools will put fish in the box. A few mahi are being caught deeper (400–1200’), mostly for those making a run to the Gulf Stream. Blackfin tuna and wahoo are holding closer to the break.

For bottom fishing, shrimp is the bait of choice for black drum—fresh or even less-than-perfect works, according to Coastal Angler Magazine. If you’re targeting kings or mahi near structure, try cigar minnows under a wire leader. Gotcha plugs and metal jigs are your go-to for blues and Spanish from the piers.

Hot spots today: Kure Beach Pier is producing whiting and bluefish, while Carolina Beach surf and Wrightsville Beach’s inshore creeks are loaded with reds and drum. Don’t overlook deepwater docks and oyster rocks for roaming black drum.

Thanks for tuning in and chasing the bite with me. Don’t forget to subscribe for your daily rundown.

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