08/30/2026
🎣 SEPTEMBER FISHING REPORT — SUNSET BEACH & OCEAN ISLE 🌊
September is here, and this is when fishing along the Brunswick County coast really starts getting GOOD! As we transition from summer into fall, bait begins moving, the water slowly starts cooling, and we get a great mix of both warm-water and fall species.
Here’s what to expect this month 👇
🔴 REDFISH
September should be an excellent month for reds. Look for puppy drum along oyster beds, creek mouths, docks and grass edges throughout the ICW and backwaters. Live finger mullet, shrimp and cut mullet are all great choices. As we get later into September, keep an eye out for the BIG bull reds beginning to show around the inlets and nearshore bait schools.
🐟 SPECKLED TROUT
The trout bite should continue improving as the month progresses and we start getting cooler mornings. Early morning topwater can be excellent, with live shrimp, finger mullet and soft plastics producing around creek mouths, deeper holes, docks and moving water. September is really the beginning of our better fall trout fishing.
🐠 FLOUNDER
September is prime time for flounder around docks, creek mouths, grass edges and deeper structure. Live finger mullet on a Carolina rig is hard to beat, while jigheads paired with paddletails are great for covering water.
⚠️ North Carolina’s 2026 recreational flounder harvest season runs SEPTEMBER 1–14. The limit is ONE flounder per person per day with a 15-inch minimum. Harvested fish must also be reported. Always check current NC regulations before fishing.
⚫ BLACK DRUM
Black drum should remain a dependable target around docks, bridges, oyster beds and deeper structure. Fresh shrimp or small pieces of crab fished on the bottom are usually the ticket. Don’t overlook deeper ICW docks, especially when you’ve got good current moving.
🐑 SHEEPSHEAD
The sheepies are still around! Fish vertically around bridge pilings, docks and other barnacle-covered structure. Fiddler crabs and small pieces of crab are excellent baits. Keep your line tight — these guys are professional bait thieves!
💨 SPANISH MACKEREL
Don’t put away the trolling gear yet. September can produce some AWESOME Spanish fishing right along the beaches. Watch for diving birds and bait getting pushed to the surface. Clarkspoons, Got-Cha plugs and small casting jigs will all catch fish. Bigger Spanish can often be found around nearshore reefs and larger bait schools.
👑 KING MACKEREL
September is when things can really start getting interesting close to the beach. As menhaden and other bait stack up, kings can move surprisingly shallow. Slow-trolling live pogies around bait pods, nearshore reefs and along the beachfront can produce some quality fish. The king bite should only get better as we move toward October.
🦈 SHARKS
With the water still warm, there are plenty of sharks around. Inshore channels, inlets, the beachfront and nearshore waters can all hold sharks. Fresh cut bait is the way to go. Blacktips, spinners and other coastal sharks can provide some serious action — especially for anyone looking to hook something that can really pull!
🌊 SEPTEMBER GAME PLAN
The big key this month is BAIT.
Finger mullet, shrimp and menhaden will be moving throughout the area, and the predators won’t be far behind. Watch creek mouths, oyster bars, docks, inlets and anywhere you see bait getting pushed around.
Early September still fishes a lot like summer. By the second half of the month, cooler nights and the fall bait migration can really turn things on.
Whether you’re fishing the creeks, ICW, surf or heading just off the beach, September is one of our favorite months to be on the water around Sunset Beach & Ocean Isle.
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