My Top 10 fish to catch at Carolina Beach, NC!

Article by: Mark Mayo

Introduction

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting into fishing, Carolina Beach has the fish for you. We’ve got everything from pompano to black drum and everything in between. Here are my top 10 fish for anglers at Carolina Beach:

Red Drum

Red drum, also known as seatrout, are a classic bait fish. They get their name from the dark red color of their flesh which becomes more pronounced as they age. Red drum live in salt water and can be found off the Carolinas all year long. They are one of the few species available to anglers who don’t have access to fishable freshwater streams or lakes, meaning that it’s possible to catch these delicious fish all year round if you know where to look (and what kind of equipment).

If you’re interested in catching red drums then here are some tips on how best to do so:

Find an area where there is plenty of forage for them such as menhaden and other baitfish

Use soft plastic baits like Gulp Minnows or Zoom Caddisflies for best results!

Spotted Sea Trout

Spotted sea trout are a popular fish to catch in the Carolina Beach area. They are easy to catch, and they offer great sport fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. This species is also delicious, making it a favorite meal for fisherman and their families!

Spotted sea trout have small bodies that make them fast swimmers, which makes them fun for anglers looking for action during their day on the water. These fish fight hard and fast, so it’s important to cast carefully if you want to land this species with ease.

Flounder

Flounder are a popular sport fish and can be caught from the beach. They are flatfish, meaning that they have both eyes on the same side of their body.

Flounder is also a popular food fish, especially in the South where it is known as flounder fillets or simply “flounder”.

Weakfish

Weakfish are a saltwater fish that live in the Atlantic Ocean. They can be found along the east coast from Massachusetts to Florida. Weakfish have an elongated body, with a long dorsal fin that runs down its back and tail fin that is rounded on the edges. The weakfish’s coloration varies from pale pink to dark brown or greenish-gray, depending on where you are fishing!

The weakfish is popular for its fighting ability when hooked, as well as its deliciousness when eaten! Weakfish fight hard until they die because of their large gills which require oxygen-rich water to survive. This makes them great game fish for anglers who want something exciting to catch but don’t want any harm done by keeping it alive after catching one!

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel are a popular gamefish in the Carolinas. They are the most abundant game fish in the area, with as many as 17 million caught every year. Spanish mackerel are found in Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. They grow to about 2 feet long, have a silvery body with an irregular pattern of dark spots on their sides and can be identified by the black spot under their gill cover that looks like a teardrop or “mackerel eye”. The Spanish mackerel is very fast-swimming fish; they will eat anything they find while swimming through schools of baitfish – including menhaden, mullet or anchovies – which explains why they are so prevalent during this time of year (spring) when baitfish populations increase dramatically along our coastlines after spawning season ends

King Mackerel

King mackerels are a large fish that can be caught off the coast of North Carolina. They are a good sport fish and are also great for eating. King mackerels are not recommended for beginner anglers because they have very acute senses and will spook easily, making it hard to catch them.

Bluefish

Bluefish are a species of fish found in the Atlantic Ocean. They are a popular sport fish, and can grow to be quite large when fully grown. Bluefish have an elongated body with a rounded tail fin, which makes them streamlined swimmers. Not only that, but they also have small eyes and tiny teeth—so you know they’re nimble!

Bluefish are an important part of our ecosystem as well as being a popular food fish. They feed on other marine animals such as shrimp, crabs and squid; however they aren’t picky eaters—they’ll eat just about anything! This is why bluefish are so fun to catch: not only do they taste good but there’s no shortage of them either!

Black Drum

North Carolina has the perfect conditions for black drum to thrive. They are bottom dwellers and can be found in shallow water on the ocean floor. Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Black drum are not a common species in North Carolina and can only be caught during certain seasons. In order to catch these fish you need a fishing license from the NC Division of Marine Fisheries or another state that borders NC like Virginia or South Carolina.

Black drum can grow up to 3 feet long with weights reaching over 100 pounds!

Cobia

The cobia is a large fish that can grow up to 6 feet long. It makes a good meal and is one of the better sport fishes in the area, along with redfish and striped bass. When you catch one, you’ll want to keep it alive until you’re ready to clean it; they’ll die if they’re out of water too long!

Pompano

Pompano are found in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. They are a popular sport fish, often caught by anglers using live shrimp. They are also a good eating fish, with firm flesh that makes for great fillets. Pompano can be caught using light tackle, making it an excellent choice for beginners or anyone looking to spend a day on the water without investing in expensive equipment.

Takeaway:

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your fishing trip:

Clean and gut the fish before cooking it. If you don’t, you’ll regret it when the smell of rotting fish fills your kitchen!

Eat fresh fish as soon as possible after catching it; freezing or frying will keep them from going bad for a couple of weeks at most.

If you’re not sure how to prepare a particular type of fish, look up its nutritional information online. Most websites will have easy-to-follow recipes that require little skill or effort on your part!

Wrapping up…

The list above contains some of my most popular fish to catch at Carolina Beach, NC. There are many more species that can be caught here, but these are considered to be the top 10 best ones. If you’re looking for other options then try searching our website or contacting us directly so we can help you find what you need!

Mark Mayo

I research and report on fishing, fishing gear/equipment, survival topics, and marketing for outdoors related businesses. I assist here on CB Fishing as the editor. Articles may contain AI researched content. All content is published for education and entertainment purposes only, NOT LIFE, HEALTH, SURVIVAL, FINANCIAL, BUSINESS, LEGAL OR ANY OTHER ADVICE. Learn more about Mark Mayo