Onslow County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
North Topsail Beach
North Topsail Beach offers public shoreline and pier access on the Atlantic coast in Onslow County. Common targets include striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder, red drum, and spotted seatrout.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Red Drum & Spotted Seatrout — tied at the top (92/100)
2 species tied for best of 5 tracked at North Topsail Beach.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 12:04 PM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 5:42 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
Species at North Topsail Beach
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 2 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Red Drum Drop everything — ideal day for Red Drum. In season 92/100
What's helping
- 74°F water — right in red drum's ideal range
- incoming tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 27"
- Daily creel
- 1
18–27" slot, 1 fish/day. Anything over 27" must be released.
Source: North Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Spotted Seatrout harvest is closed today. Out of season 92/100
Spotted Seatrout is outside any documented open harvest period at this location. Check the state agency before fishing.
What's helping
- 74°F water — right in spotted seatrout's ideal range
- incoming tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 4
Harvest is currently CLOSED in NC following cold-stun events. Normal limits when open are a 14" minimum and 4 fish/day — confirm the current DMF proclamation before keeping any.
Source: North Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#3 Bluefish Great day to fish for Bluefish. In season 80/100
What's helping
- 74°F water — inside bluefish's active range
- incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
- Daily creel
- 5
No minimum size. 5 fish/day from shore or private boat; 7/day on for-hire vessels.
Source: North Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Summer Flounder Summer Flounder harvest is closed today. Out of season 64/100
Summer Flounder is outside any documented open harvest period at this location. Check the state agency before fishing.
What's helping
- 74°F water — inside summer flounder's active range
What's hurting
- incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 1
The recreational flounder season is set each year by DMF proclamation and is currently closed. When open, a 15" minimum and 1 fish/day apply.
Source: North Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#5 Striped Bass Marginal conditions for Striped Bass. In season 44/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 74°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
- Daily creel
- 1
Atlantic Ocean only — 28–31" slot, 1 fish/day, year-round. Albemarle Sound and the Central Southern Management Area are currently closed to striped bass harvest.
Source: North Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
North Carolina
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for North Topsail Beach: NC Wildlife Resources Commission fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at North Topsail Beach?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at North Topsail Beach you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at North Topsail Beach?
North Topsail Beach is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Red Drum, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at North Topsail Beach?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at North Topsail Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does North Topsail Beach have?
North Topsail Beach has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at North Topsail Beach?
state agency regulations apply at North Topsail Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is North Topsail Beach tidal water?
Yes. North Topsail Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.