Best Times & Seasons to Fish Beaufort, North Carolina

The waters around Beaufort offer some of the best angling opportunities in the nation. The trick, though, is to know when and where to have the best fishing.

The best time to fish Beaufort coastal waters is between the months of May and September offshore, with mahi mahi, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna being just a few of the fish you can expect to catch, while inshore fishing is best from July to December.

Fish Species	Best Times to Fish Near Beaufort
King Mackerel	September & October are the two best months for king mackerel near Beaufort.
Spanish Mackerel	The peak season is April through October in Beaufort coastal waters.
Flounder	May through October is the peak fishing season in Beaufort.
Sailfish	The best season for sailfish is January through May in local waters.
Mahi Mahi	The peak fishing season is May through September for coastal dolphin.
Tuna	June through November is the peak fishing season in Beaufort.
Redfish	May & June are the peak months but good fishing lasts until October
Spotted Seatrout	November through March is the peak fishing season in Beaufort.
Snook	The best season for snook is May through September.

Beaufort is one of the best fishing destinations in the United States and all over the world. The town is surrounded by water. Fishing in Beaufort’s waters is available all year round. Here, it’s possible to enjoy fishing at any time of the year.    

The location impresses anglers with its abundance of fish. Many types of fish can be found in the area. There are species of fish that are active in the area all year round. Fishermen can also target the seasonal species which bite well at certain times of the year. So, it’s crucial to fish Beaufort at the right time.  

Best Time to Fish Beaufort

The best time to fish Beaufort depends a lot on what species of fish you are going to target during your trip. Anglers always need to plan their fishing trips carefully and select the best time to go fishing in Beaufort. 

Fishermen have to study the bite times of the fish species that they are going to target ahead of time. And of course, they should go fishing when these species are the most active. It’s possible to fish Beaufort in spring, summer, fall, and winter. 

If, for example, you come to Beaufort in the fall then you’ll have an opportunity to target flounder, trout as well as redfish. It makes sense to fish Beaufort in the spring. This time of the year gives anglers an opportunity to fish for flounder, ladyfish, sheepshead, and many other species. 

Let’s say that you are interested in catching sharks. In this case, it would be better to fish Beaufort during the summer months. Beaufort offers incredible fishing to anglers of all skill levels.

According to the opinions of many anglers, fishing in Beaufort is the most productive between October and November. Many species of fish are active in the area during these months.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Beaufort

These Beaufort-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Type of Fishing Offered
Hawk Charters	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore, Inshore & Offshore
Breakday Charters – 30′ Ragtime	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore & Offshore
Tombstone Charters	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore & Offshore
Coastal Carolina Charters	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore & Inshore
Offshore Outlaw Fishing Charters	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore & Inshore
Breakwater Charters	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore, Inshore & Offshore
Atlantic Ocean Charters	Wreck, Nearshore, Inshore & Offshore
Reel Time Charters	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore & Offshore
S and C Fishing LLC	Wreck, Reef, Nearshore & Inshore

Beaufort Species Breakdown: Best Time

The world of fishing in Beaufort is very diverse. There is a wide variety of species that anglers can target in Beaufort’s waters. Today, we’ll provide you with a list of the most common species of fish that’s possible to catch in the Beaufort area. Also, we’ll provide you with information on when and where to catch these species of fish in the area.

Black drum

Black drum is one of the most common species of fish that anglers choose to target in the area. The fish has black and white stripes on their body. Many Beaufort anglers choose to target black drum in the area. Black drum goes to shallower waters during the cooler months.

So, it would be better to fish for black drum in the spring and in the fall. Black drum goes to the deep waters in the summer. It makes a lot of sense to target black drum near underwater structures. Oftentimes, anglers in Beaufort catch black drum near the Fripp Island.

Cobia

Cobia fishing is also very popular in Beaufort. It’s important to know that Cobia is seasonal fish. The Broad River is the right place to fish for cobia in the area. Cobia is the most active during the spring. The season to catch cobia starts in April and lasts until June.

Cobia comes into the river to spawn during these months. Many anglers choose to visit Broad River Fishing Pier to enjoy cobia fishing. Cobia bites well right before sunset or right after sunrise.          

Sharks

When fishing in Beaufort, anglers have an opportunity to catch sharks. The season to catch sharks starts in the summer and lasts till the fall. It’s a great idea to target sharks in the waters near Lowcountry. Shark fishing is always very productive in these areas. Shark fishing is the most productive at dawn or at dusk.        

Sheepshead

Beaufort offers great opportunities to the anglers who want to target sheepshead during their fishing trip to Beaufort. It’s possible to fish for sheepshead all year round. However, fishing is the most productive in the spring. A lot of sheepshead can be found near the Fripp Island. Midday is a great time of the day to fish for sheepshead. 

Redfish

Many fishing enthusiasts choose to target redfish in Beaufort. The season to fish for redfish starts in the late summer and lasts till the early fall. The fish can be found near bridges and wrecks. Hunting Island State Park is an ideal place to catch redfish in the area. Redfish bites well in the morning and goes to the deeper waters in the afternoon.

Flounder

Anglers can also catch flounder in Beaufort. Flounder is a very strong fish that’s hard to fight. That’s the reason why catching flounder is always very interesting and exciting.

The season to catch flounder starts in the spring and ends in the fall. It’s recommended to target flounder in the waters near Lady’s Island. If you are going to target flounder, you should go fishing in the early morning.      

Tarpon

Tarpon begins to feed actively in Beaufort’s waters when the temperature of water increases. The season to fish for tarpon starts in July and lasts till September – October.

It’s recommended to fish for tarpon either on the beaches or in the ocean inlets. Go to Winyah Bay to enjoy tarpon fishing. Tarpon fishing is the most productive either in the early morning or late afternoon. 

Catfish     

Catfish can be caught in the Beaufort area as well. Anglers, who are interested in targeting catfish, should try fishing in the Broad River. You need to know that Broad River Fishing Pier is a good place to catch catfish in the area.

The best time to fish for catfish is March-May. The fish is the most active during this period of time. Fishing for catfish is the most productive between an hour before sunset and 2 hours after sunrise.

Largemouth bass

Beaufort is known as a fishing destination where anglers can catch both freshwater and saltwater species. For example, it’s possible to fish for largemouth bass in the area.

Anglers can catch largemouth bass in Beaufort all year round. However, the fish is the most active in spring and fall. Try to catch largemouth bass on Broad River Fishing Pier. Fishermen choose to target largemouth bass in the early morning or in the evening. 

Seatrout

Beaufort is the perfect place to visit for those anglers, who prefer to catch sea trout. It’s possible to fish for sea trout at any time of the year. However, anglers get the best results in the fall.

Ideally, you should fish for sea trout in the Beaufort River. The fish gets active when the water warms. So, it would be better to fish for sea trout in the afternoon.  

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Best Time of Day to Fish Beaufort

When planning fishing trips, a lot of anglers want to find out what is the best time of day to fish Beaufort. The vast majority of anglers choose to fish Beaufort in the morning.

Also, it’s possible to fish in the evening. It all depends on the season of the year and the species of fish that you are targeting. Anglers need to study the best bite times for their target fish species and plan their trips accordingly.  

Beaufort Fishing & Tidal Impacts

Tides also have an impact on fishing in the area. Many anglers in Beaufort choose to fish on a rising tide. Water that enters the area contains oxygen and this positively affects the activity of fish. So, it would be great to fish Beaufort when the tide is rising.   

Storms & Beaufort Fishing

It goes without saying that fishing during storms can be dangerous. It’s also important to note that storms affect the behavior of fish. Fish usually seek shelter and don’t bite during storms.

Nevertheless, fishing before and after a storm can be very productive. Fishing around storms always provides anglers with excellent opportunities. That’s why it’s so important for anglers to check Beaufort’s weather forecast before planning a fishing trip.  

Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Beaufort?

As we have already said, it’s possible to fish Beaufort at any time of the year. Winter provides fishermen with good opportunities. Among fish species that anglers can catch at night are black drum, red drum, sea trout as well as sheepshead. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Cape Fear, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish the Outer Banks, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

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Night Fishing in Beaufort

Some anglers choose to fish at night. What’s great about night fishing is that it allows anglers to avoid fishing in hot weather during the summer months. So, anglers find it comfortable to fish during night time in summer. Those fishermen, who are busy with work during the day, choose to fish at night as well.

Water cools down at night and provides fishermen with great opportunities. The night is a great time to fish for catfish, redfish, and sea trout. It’s important to note that fishermen have a good chance to catch a big sea trout at night.   

Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons

Beaufort is best-known for its surf/shore fishing sites. There are many places to fish from shore. Anglers can enjoy shore/surf fishing on beaches, shorelines, piers, etc. There are many places to fish from shore in the area. There are many piers in the region.

Among the places where anglers can enjoy surf/shore fishing are: Broad River Fishing Pier, Port Royal Boardwalk at The Sands, Paradise Pier at Hunting Island State Park, Newport River Pier, Oceanana Pier, Fort Macon State Park, and others. Here, you can enjoy shore/surf fishing all year round.  

Top 5 Fishing Spots in Beaufort

Anglers also need to decide where to go fishing. We have just decided to make it easy for anglers to plan their fishing trips in Beaufort. That’s why we’ve provided the information about the most popular fishing spots in the area. Anglers will know when and where to fish and what species of fish are active in these spots.

Hunting Island State Park

Hunting Island State Park has gained huge popularity among anglers in Beaufort. Here, anglers can fish from Paradise Pier or enjoy fishing on a beach. Among the species of fish that you can target in the park are: flounder, redfish, trout, grouper, marlin, king mackerel, and snapper. It’s the place where you can enjoy fishing in the spring, summer, and fall months. 

Broad River Fishing Pier

Broad River Fishing Pier is a good place for anglers who would like to enjoy river fishing in the area. Nowadays, the prier provides anglers with amenities that make fishing comfortable. These include parking, public restrooms, lighting, etc. Broad River Fishing Pier is very popular among fishing enthusiasts who are interested in targeting largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, cobia, sharks, and other species. Fishing in this place is the most productive during the summer and fall months.

Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park

Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is another good spot to enjoy fishing in Beaufort. This fishing spot is popular among anglers, who choose to target trout. There is plenty of trout in this place. Here, you can also target sharks. The late spring is a great time to enjoy fishing in the park. Fishermen have a good chance to catch a big fish during this time of the year.

Port Royal Boardwalk at the Sands

It’s a good place to spend a day of fishing with family and friends. Here, anglers choose to fish on the beach, enjoy beautiful river views, and catch many species of fish. Many anglers also prefer to take advantage of boat fishing and kayak fishing in the Port Royal area. It’s the place where anglers choose to target red drum as well as sharks. Fishing in the Port Royal area is the most productive in summer.

Newport River Pier

Newport River Pier is another great fishing spot near Beaufort. It’s an ideal place for people, who like recreational fishing. The port makes it possible for anglers to enjoy fishing in the heart of the river. The pier is popular among anglers, who prefer to catch bluefish and croaker. Also, fishermen catch striped bass, trout, and flounder. When fishing from the pier, anglers get the best results during the summer months. Keep in mind that the pier can be busy on weekends.   

Booking Charters in Beaufort

A lot of fishing trips are available for anglers in the area. When planning Beaufort fishing adventures, anglers need to decide when and where to go fishing. Plus, they have to decide how much time a fishing trip has to last. 

– Best season to go

A lot of anglers choose to visit Beaufort in the summer. So, the demand for fishing is high during the summer months. High demand means high prices. If you are looking for more affordable fishing in Beaufort, visit the town in the fall. The demand for fishing is lower, but fishing opportunities are still incredible. That means that fishing Beaufort in the late fall provides anglers with the best value for money. 

– Morning vs. afternoon

It’s possible to fish Beaufort either in the morning or in the afternoon. Each time of day has its pros and cons. 

Let’s say you want to go fishing in the morning. In this case, you have to wake up early. It’s not hot in the morning, so anglers find it comfortable to fish during the morning hours. On the other hand, water is cold in the morning during spring, fall, and winter months. That’s the reason why fish may not bite well. 

Afternoon time is better for anglers, who want to sleep more in the morning. However, it can be too hot to fish in the afternoon in the summer. Fish may not bite well during the afternoon hours.   

– 1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters 

Different types of fishing charter are available for anglers in Beaufort. When booking a charter, anglers need to decide how long a fishing trip has to last. 

If you are a beginner or an angler, who wants to fish with your family, then consider a half-day fishing charter. During your trip, you’ll manage to explore Beaufort’s waters, learn fishing basics and try to fish. A half-day fishing trip is a cheap option, but your time on fishing is limited.  

Let’s say that you are an experienced angler, who wants to catch a trophy fish. In this case, you have to book a full-day fishing trip. However, a full-day trip is a more expensive option.

Multi-day fishing charters are suitable for anglers, who want to get the most out of fishing in Beaufort. The chances to catch a trophy fish will increase significantly if you choose to spend several days fishing. It’s important to note that anglers are provided with meals during multi-day fishing trips. However, you should know that multi-day fishing charters are the most expensive option.

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