Fall Fishing on Pleasure Island

Pleasure Island is a fisherman’s paradise.  From river to sea, there are countless ways for anglers to get their “fish on.”  And in autumn, the experience is like no other.  When the summertime vacationers have departed and the ocean breezes blow cooler, sport fishing ramps up in earnest.  Here’s a complete guide to “tackling” the best our waters have to offer. 

Pier Fishing

Pleasure Island boasts two fishing piers on its coastline.  The classic, wooden Carolina Beach Pier sits on the northern edge of the town and extends 700’ into the Atlantic on a relatively secluded stretch of beach. When the fishing is good here – it’s exceptional; with spring and fall being the best time to cast a line for North Carolina’s renowned red drum and king mackerel.   The Carolina Beach Pier is lighted for night fishing and has a bait and tackle store and a small restaurant on site. 

The Kure Beach Pier, built in 1923, is the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast.  It’s a family-friendly pier (no alcohol allowed) and is open to anglers of all ages, 24 hours a day from April through November.  This is a great place to fish for shark, barracuda and spot. 

Carolina Beach State Park/Cape Fear River

At this scenic park on the Cape Fear River the fishing is excellent from docks, banks, kayaks or motor craft.  A marina with two launching ramps and 40 boat slips is just minutes away from Snow’s Cut, where the Cape Fear meets the Intracoastal Waterway, providing a multitude of fishing opportunities.    Camping and hiking is also available at the park. 

Charter Fishing

A variety of charter boats offer inshore, offshore and deep-sea excursions that will have you reeling in everything from mahi, tuna, marlin and wahoo in the Gulf Stream, to flounder, red drum, bluefish and Spanish Mackerel closer to shore.  More than 20 fishing charters depart from the Carolina Beach Fishing Center and Marina, conveniently located in the heart of Carolina Beach.  Browse our Member Directory to find your perfect charter adventure. 

 Surf Fishing

Surf fishing is especially good on the secluded far north and south ends of Pleasure Island – where many of the locals’ favorite spots are accessible only by 4 wheel drive.  Regardless of where on the island you cast your rod, you’re likely to reel in nice catches of bluefish, drum and sea mullet– especially in the fall months.  

Fishing License

Keep in mind, you will need a NC fishing license to fish in any of these locations. Find more information here: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Licensing/HuntingFishingTrappingLicenses.aspx