Cape Lookout Surf and Inlet Fishing from Beaufort NC
Cape Lookout National Seashore — accessible by ferry from Beaufort — offers pristine surf fishing for red drum, pomp...
Read MoreNorth Carolina · Crystal Coast
BEAUFORT NC
FISHING CHARTERS
12+ verified captains. Instant confirmation. Best price guaranteed.
12+
Verified Captains
4.8★
Avg Rating
3
Fishing Types
17+
Species
Anglers:
2 Adults
0 Kids
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About
Beaufort NC Fishing
Beaufort is one of the oldest towns in North Carolina with rich fishing heritage. Cape Lookout provides incredible surf fishing, while the nearby sounds offer excellent inshore action.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Beaufort NC?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
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Inshore
|
F | G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | F |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | G |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | F | - | - | - | G | G | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | G | G | G | F | F | G | P | P | G | F |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | F | - | - | G | G | F | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | G | P | P | F | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | G | G | G | G | G | P | P | G | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | G | P | G | - | - | G | P | F | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | G | G | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | P | P | G | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | G | P | P | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | F | F | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G | P | G |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | G | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Beaufort NC Fish Species
17+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Beaufort NC
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
View All Articles
Beaufort NC Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Beaufort NC.
Guest Reviews
5
based on 6 reviews
Beaufort NC Fishing Reviews
Speckled trout bite was phenomenal
Worked soft plastics over the grass beds and oyster rocks near the Beaufort waterfront and the speckled trout were fired up. Landed 20 trout with several fat gator specks over 24 inches. Beaufort NC has incredible inshore fishing right out the front door.
C
Captain Felicia
November 2025
Speckled Trout
Redfish
King mackerel stacked near Cape Lookout Shoals
Slow-trolled live menhaden along the Cape Lookout Shoals and the king mackerel were on a rampage. Boated seven kings between 20 and 45 pounds. The current rips and structure around the shoals concentrate baitfish and the kings follow. Beaufort NC is king mackerel central.
C
Captain Ian
May 2025
King Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Cape Lookout sheepshead were biting everything
Dropped fiddler crabs around the Cape Lookout rock jetty and the sheepshead were crushing baits on every drop. Landed 15 thick sheepies and had an incredible fish fry that evening. This jetty is a sheepshead magnet and Beaufort NC is the perfect base to access it.
C
Captain Nadine
March 2025
Sheepshead
Black Drum
Cape Lookout redfish were absolutely stacked
Ran down to Cape Lookout and fished the shoals and shallow flats around the point. The redfish were schooled up by the hundreds and hitting everything we threw. Landed over 15 reds on gold spoons and soft plastics. Cape Lookout is the crown jewel of Crystal Coast redfish fishing.
C
Captain Santiago
October 2025
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Mahi and marlin combo day offshore
Trolled the offshore waters south of Cape Lookout and found warm blue water loaded with life. Caught our limit of mahi on the weed line and raised a white marlin that we released. Beaufort NC puts you within striking distance of world-class bluewater fishing.
C
Captain Wanda
July 2025
Mahi Mahi
White Marlin
Flounder loaded up near Cape Lookout
Fished live bait on the sandy bottom near Cape Lookout and the flounder were ambushing everything on the drop-offs. Landed 12 flatfish with the biggest going 7 pounds — a true trophy flounder. The area around the Cape produces exceptional flatfish from late summer through fall.
C
Captain Lloyd
September 2025
Flounder
Redfish
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