Book your next trip with Beaufort Charters – check available fishing packages here.

Weekly Fishing Report

Beaufort Inlet – May 5, 2025

Overview

No surprises this week – when the Spanish mackerel show up around Beaufort Inlet, you focus up and put in miles until you’re dialed. The past few days have seen solid Spanish action near the inlet and just off the beach, confirming what we’d hoped as water temps keep ticking up toward that sweet spot in early May. Mornings have been the most productive, but there are still chances through the day if you’re willing to adapt your approach and burn some fuel.

Weather and Water Conditions

Conditions this week were straight-forward: southeast breezes kicked up some surface chop but never got out of hand. We had clear skies most days and plenty of sun, which pushed water temperatures steady into the upper 60s – right where the Spanish want it. On the outgoing tides, water clarity around the inlet wasn’t bad, but the incoming, especially after the weekend, brought a little stain with it. Still, no real complaints from anybody trying to get on these fish. We kept the Sea Grappler moving and stayed in touch with real-time water changes to stay on the fish as they shifted with the current and wind.

Spanish Mackerel Bite

The Spanish mackerel bite has been the main event all week. Our pattern on the Sea Grappler has been to scout the edge of the shipping channel and work the shoals east toward Shackleford Banks. The best action has been from about 7AM to 10AM with scattered birds and a few surface blitzes to clue you in. When the fish are up, small Clarkspoons behind #1 and #00 planers, or on lighter trolling lead, do the job. Silver or gold with a little flash wins out in the sunlight. It’s fast fishing – you’ll know you’re in them when you can’t keep rods in the holders.

If the surface action slowed, we switched out to casting glass minnow imitations on light spinning gear. Spanish are holding tight to bait schools and sometimes you need to work the edges, especially when the tide slacks off. When the wind let up enough, sight-casting near the inlet rocks turned up several quality fish with generic white bucktail jigs and small metals. Most keepers have been in the 16-20 inch range, with a few bigger ones mixed in each day.

Technique, Tackle, and Adjustments

Results this week came from keeping it simple and paying attention to detail. Lighter 12-15 lb mono leaders and small hardware ruled the day; wire leaders definitely cut down on bites. It also paid to stagger trolling speeds – bumping up just over 5 knots got more reaction strikes when boat traffic picked up and pushed bait around. For casting, downsizing lures and working a fast retrieve kept the hit rate up, especially as the sun got high and the bite slowed down. We focused on staying mobile – it made a difference, as fish were moving hard with tide changes and boat wakes.

Looking Ahead

With water temps steady and bait still thick, expect this Spanish bite to hold up for a while. If anything, the next week or two should only see the numbers climb as more fish move in. Early starts will be key, along with a willingness to adapt as the wind and tides dictate. The Sea Grappler crew will keep tabs on mackerel, but we’re also rigged for bluefish and may even start prospecting for the first nearshore cobia as things warm. If you’re thinking about a trip, now’s the time to get in on this reliable Spanish action before schedules fill up or the fish thin out. Let’s keep it simple: stick to moving water, light tackle, and be ready to make a move if things get stale – that’s how you stay on the meat.

Secure your spot aboard the Sea Grappler – see Beaufort Charters' packages and book now.

Thanks for following the Beaufort Charters Weekly Fishing Report. If you want on-the-water results, not empty promises, check back next week or reach out for real-time updates direct from the Sea Grappler crew.