North Carolina Fishing Information & Seasons

Oregon Inlet, Nags Head, North Carolina

Fishing Charters –Winter & Spring Months – January Through Late May

June Bug will reserve your saltwater fishing charter out of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina during the Winter & Spring months each year.  The following are the seasons for each type of sport fish, with additional information provided by Capt. Lindsay Fuller.

North Carolina requires that each angler possess a North Carolina Saltwater Fishing License UNLESS the angler is aboard a North Carolina-licensed charter boat.  June Bug carries a North Carolina Blanket Charter Boat License.

Billfish

A variety of different Billfish are usually available from March through October with some of the best White Marlin fishing occurring in August and September.

Blue Marlin (even "Granders") are always a possibility, especially around late July and the full moon in August. June Bug tagged and released 2 Blue Marlin that measured at 1,000 pounds or better in late July, 2001 in 30 to 40 fathoms of water. White Marlin fishing peaks in July and August.  We use 50# to 80# for White Marlin and Blue Marlin due to the presence of large Yellowfin, Bluefin (in winter and spring) and Big Eye Tuna.  June Bug does not take Billfish for mounts.  Replica mounts are available from the Captain.  If you are interested in a mount, be sure to let us know so that we can try to get accurate measurements of your trophy. 

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna are available year round with better catches occurring March through November.  This period produces excellent catches and the weather is still very mild.

Beginning June 1999, National Marine Fisheries Service imposed a catch limit of 3 Yellowfin per person, as well as a 27" fork length limit.  Our fleet has for years had a self-imposed limit of 18 tuna and the federal limit will just help insure that everyone abides by the rules. 

Big Eye Tuna

The Big Eye Tuna, Thunnus Obesus, is an important food fish and prized recreational game fish. Big Eyes hunt in wolf packs and seldom swim alone.  The largest Big Eyes caught in North Carolina can exceed 300 pounds. 

Bluefin Tuna  

Bluefin action begins as early as November and continues through early June in certain areas.  Giant Bluefin Tuna roam the full range of the Outer Banks from Oregon Inlet to Wilmington.  Although most Bluefin caught are school-sized fish, many are Mediums that can range to 300 pounds.   Most of the fish are brought to the boat within 15 or 20 minutes and are released unharmed.  The fish are so aggressive they take the bait so close to the boat that you'll get wet from the strike splash.

National Marine Fisheries Service places strict restrictions on the catch of Bluefin Tuna.  These rules literally change from day to day. 

Dolphin / Mahi-Mahi

Mahi Mahi begin to show up as early as March, some years, and continue through October.  Middle Season action in July and August produces outstanding light tackle action with "gaffers" weighing 10 to 20 pounds or more.  Most of the summer action occurs on weedlines and around floating debris, along current edges and tidelines.  On good days, we can literally fill the fishbox with these tasty creatures. 

Wahoo

Wahoo show up off North Carolina as early as April and remain until October.  This fastest fish in the sea loves to bite subsurface baits.  They are generally found in small pods.  If you catch one, there is at least one more there watching the action.  Raising the trolling speed sometimes helps catch Wahoo. Wahoo are outstanding to eat and the meat keeps well. 

False Albacore (Little Tunny)

False Albacore, also known as Little Tunny or Fat Alberts, occur in large schools and weigh up to 35 pounds.  False Albacore are the smallest member of the tuna Scombridae family, and is one of the finest small game-fish in the Atlantic especially when anglers use light tackle.  While the eating quality of this fish is poor people food, the red, strong tasting meat is a favorite of Capt. Lindsay's Labrador Retriever.

Atlantic Bonita

Atlantic Bonita can be found in quantity during the dog days of summer.  They like warm water and require large quantities of bait to eat.  These fine eating fish are speedsters who bite best when we use small spoons and feathers.  They are great fare on lighter tackle. 

Bluefish

Bluefish are abundant from May through November.  They are generally caught by trolling, chumming, of jigging.  Most Bluefish during the summer are “Slammers” that exceed 15 pounds.  We ask that our parties limit their retained catch only to those Bluefish they wish to eat as fresh fare.  There are legal catch limits for Bluefish.

Bluefish are known as “Choppers” for good reason.  They are eating machines who do not know when to quit.  Many times we find Bluefish schools by finding flocks of certain sea birds diving and picking at the ocean surface.  Bluefish are known to eat until the are gorged, then disgorge what they ate and fill up again.  What the Bluefish throw up floats to the surface where the birds pick the pieces and eat them.  In the ocean, nothing goes to waste.  However, when there is fish oil on the surface from the disgorged fish, there is a distinctive smell, somewhat like cantaloupe melon, that tells June Bug’s crew that hungry Bluefish are right there.  That is why we discourage smoking on the boat since the crew needs our full sense of smell to help find the fish. 

Fluke

Fluke, or summer flounder, have a rapidly increasing population.  The Fluke stocks have rebounded nicely in recent years. Fluke fishing is especially good for groups and families with children and are abundant from June to November.  Most Fluke are caught by using bottom-fishing methods and can range in size from 2 pounds to over 10 pounds.  There are legal catch and size limits and seasons for Fluke. 

Sea Bass

Sea Bass are available practically year-round in New Jersey.  They move into shallower water in May and remain through October.  The population of Sea Bass off New Jersey has exploded.  Your June Bug crew will find attractive bottom structure that is holding fish and simply bottom-fishing methods will catch many large Sea Bass.  Sea Bass have a white, fine meat that is excellent eating.  There are legal catch and size limits and seasons for Sea Bass. 

Weakfish

Weakfish are available from May through October.  Catches have been very consistent in the Bay but many fish have been caught outside the surfline and on shallow structure in recent years.  Most Weakfish are caught using bait.  They especially respond to chumming with grass shrimp.  There are legal catch and size limits and seasons for Weakfish. 

Grouper & Snapper

The Grouper and Snapper fishery in North Carolina was discovered relatively recently.  While the fish are caught by dropping baits in deep water, there are a wide variety of Grouper and Snapper available to catch.  It’s quite a job cranking up a 20 pound fish from 400 feet down.  There are legal catch and size limits and seasons for Grouper and Snapper.  The Red Snapper season is currently CLOSED.