Fishing NC's Brunswick Islands

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned angler with walls filled with trophy fish, few places on the Atlantic seaboard give you such easy access to great fishing as NC's Brunswick Islands. That's one reason fishing is a favorite pastime here for families and groups, both local and visitors from afar.

Let's start with the basics. The easiest way to get your feet wet in this sport is surf-casting right off the beach. All you need is a rod and reel, basic tackle – the locals can help you here – a plastic rod holder and a beach chair. Want more? No problem. Simply head on over to one of the five ocean fishing piers conveniently located on four of our five barrier islands. Or, go for the max adventure on a fishing charter, either for inshore angling or for a deep-water experience in waters as far out as the Gulf Stream.

Your Catch of the Day Varies

What you might catch depends on where you are. Inshore, the creeks and inlets are great places to find species that thrive in estuaries, such as flounder, redfish and speckled trout. Local folks can show you how to bait a crab trap with chicken necks – which just may score you a dinner of blue crabs.

Near shore or on the beach, the fish running depend on the season of the year. You're likely to catch red drum, bluefish, cobia and mackerel. Offshore sport fishing species include such favorites as king mackerel, wahoo, grouper and mahi-mahi. Charter boats, as well as private deep sea fishing boats, bring in trophy species from the Gulf Stream, such as tuna, wahoo, dolphin and sailfish.

Fishing Permits

The requirements for fishing permits vary based on your location and the type of fishing you plan to do. For information and to ensure you have the appropriate permits for your fishing adventures in the Brunswick Islands, visit www.ncdmf.net for saltwater permits and www.ncwildlife.org for freshwater permits.