You can’t make this up! Just two days after a 14-day recreational flounder season, that most agree was caused by mismanagement by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson filed an appeal with the N.C. Court of Appeals of the August 17 judgment by a Wake County Superior Court Judge that found the state agencies guilty of violating their legal responsibility to properly manage North Carolina’s coastal fisheries.
The case had entered the remedy stage following the court’s ruling that the state failed to meet its legal obligations to protect North Carolina’s public-trust coastal fisheries and the notice of appeal was barely within the 30-day window the judge gave for the plaintiffs and the state agencies to meet and come up with a plan to rebuild the ailing fisheries.
In the appeal filing, Jackson stated that: “The defendant—the State of North Carolina—hereby gives notice of appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals from the trial court’s Order in Liability Phase, which the trial court entered on August 17, 2026. This appeal is based on N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 1-277(a) and 7A-27(b)(3)(a). The Order in Liability Phase affects a substantial right that would be lost, prejudiced, and/or inadequately preserved without an immediate appeal. This, the 16th day of September 2026.”
In a September 18 reply to Jackson’s filing, the Coastal Conservation Association North Carolina says the appeal does not change the scientific evidence, the condition of the state’s coastal fish stocks, or the need for practical solutions.
In a statement, David Sneed, Executive Director of the CCA NC, said, “We are disappointed that the State has chosen to file a meritless, procedurally improper appeal rather than focus its energy on addressing the serious problems identified at trial and moving the State’s fisheries managers toward practical, science-based solutions. This meritless appeal does not change the need to act to restore our coastal fisheries, and North Carolinians have waited long enough for meaningful progress.
“After nearly six years of hard-fought litigation and a six-week trial centered on extensive scientific evidence and fisheries data—including undisputed evidence that not a single one of North Carolina’s 13 state-managed coastal fish stocks is currently viable—the Court ruled that the State of North Carolina failed in its legal responsibility to protect and preserve the public’s coastal fisheries.
“CCA NC stands ready to work with the State’s fisheries managers, fisheries scientists and stakeholders across North Carolina to develop practical solutions that rebuild these public resources for current and future generations.”
It appears that those who were hoping for a quick follow-up with ways to rebuild the state’s ailing fisheries will have to continue to wait. It’s been six years – how much longer will it take? All the fishermen we have spoken with just want a final resolution that rebuilds North Carolina’s fish stocks.
Officials with the American Sportfishing Association are very pleased with Friday’s Executive Order from President Trump. This past Friday, September 18, President Trump announced the “Restoring America’s Saltwater Angling and Recreation” Executive Order. The order establishes a national policy to elevate marine recreational fishing in federal fisheries management and directs federal agencies to pursue better data and more modern management approaches, strengthen State-Federal partnerships, remove unnecessary barriers to access and advance innovative solutions for American anglers.
“This Executive Order is a historic recognition of what millions of American anglers and coastal communities have known for decades: marine recreational fishing deserves a management system built for the way Americans fish,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “By prioritizing better data, stronger state partnerships and modern management approaches, President Trump’s order builds on our conservation gains creating a path to more reliable access and opportunity in America’s oceans.”
“The American Sportfishing Association thanks President Trump for this decisive action to improve management and data collection for America’s saltwater fisheries,” added Glenn Hughes, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “This Executive Order will have long-term benefits for the sportfishing industry and America’s 15.5 million saltwater recreational anglers.”
Under the Executive Order, federal agencies are directed, consistent with existing law, to: Modernize recreational fisheries data collection; Strengthen State-Federal partnerships and improve the use of state data; Improve recreational fisheries economic data so the economic value of recreational fishing, for-hire fisheries and shoreside businesses is more fully considered in federal fisheries management decisions; Advance technology-based approaches to marine mammal avoidance; Fast-track artificial reef and habitat creation and Address shark and pinniped depredation and their impacts on recreational fishing.
The order also directs federal agencies to streamline permitting, remove administrative barriers to recreational fishing and habitat projects, improve the delivery of Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration funds, and strengthen coordination of habitat restoration efforts.
Fall arrived shortly after dark on Tuesday and most area fishermen are ready for it. The fishing, which is already pretty good, should find another gear for a couple of months and be excellent. The early forecast has the weather cooling off, especially around the weekend and that is welcome. However, it comes with some northerly winds that will be blustery at times. The good news is the fish should begin moving to and along the beach and the beach offers a lee from northerly winds for a couple of miles.
Late last week a small system formed well out in the Atlantic southwest of the Azores. This is a strange place for a system to form and strengthen, but it was given an 80% probability of becoming a tropical cyclone. It became Tropical Depression 6 on Saturday and Tropical Storm Fay by Monday morning. At that time, it was slowly moving north-northeast, with the Azores the only thing potentially in its path.
I continue to like the El Nino’ effect on the tropics this year. We’re nearing the end of September and there hasn’t been a storm that reached hurricane velocities in the Atlantic Basin. This is great news – so far, but history has taught us we can’t turn our backs on tropical weather.
I say it every week, but bear with me on this. The unpredictability of these tropical systems, especially this year, are a couple of the reasons why I suggest checking the National Hurricane Center (www.nhc.noaa.gov) website and map several times a week. This is even more important now as hurricane season has passed the typical peak of tropical activity. The NHC website will have the official forecast for any tropical system they are tracking. I also check Mike’s Weather Page (www.mikesweatherpage.com) for information on weather systems he may be watching, but that haven’t yet reached the intensity to be included on the National Hurricane Center map. Both of these websites also have Facebook pages that can be added to your favorites on your phone.
If you would like to be a part of one of the groups helping our N.C. fisheries recover, now is the time to step up. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists and other interested parties to sit on various fisheries advisory committees. There are two regional advisory committees — Northern and Southern — and three standing advisory committees — Finfish, Habitat and Water Quality, and Shellfish/Crustacean — that review matters referred to them by the Commission and may also bring fisheries issues pertaining to their region or subject matter to the Commission’s attention.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) continues to accept public comments on a proposed rule that would set a five-fish recreational bag limit for Atlantic bonito. The proposed rule will be presented to the MFC at their meeting in November 2026.
The NC Division of Marine Fisheries is holding a scoping period through September 30, to provide fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies and to discuss priorities for the scheduled 5-year review of the N.C. Kingfishes Fishery Management Plan. There are three species of Kingfishes, commonly called sea mullet or whiting, found in North Carolina waters: southern, Gulf and northern. All three species are managed collectively under the Kingfishes FMP.
The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a scoping period Oct. 1-30, to provide fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies for the scheduled comprehensive review of the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan. The scoping period will include four meetings across the state. This is being done to determine if any changes need to be made to the NCDMF Red Drum Fishery Management Plan.
The Menhaden Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved Draft Amendment II to Amendment 3 of the Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Management Plan at their August meeting to send it to the public for comments. The Draft Addendum considers options to reduce the Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap (Bay Cap) by up to 50% and distribute the cap more evenly throughout the fishing season.
There are concerns the concentration of effort within the bay may be affecting other fisheries and potential ecological impacts both within and beyond the bay. The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden, but North Carolina is not included in the federal hearings. However, there will be a virtual meeting on October 1 for all public comment.
The popular Oak Island Surf Fishing School will return one last time this year on October 9 and 10. Tracy Mastin of Faith Surf Fishing (www.faithsurffishing.com) and a member of the USA Surf Fishing Team will be the instructor for this excellent program that is presented by the Oak Island Recreation Department.
Plans and preparation for the 2026 Peer Fishing Festival are underway, but there are still multiple opportunities for folks to help in many ways. The Peer Fishing Festival will be held October 19 – 23 at Oak Island Pier. This event includes five fishing days to include as many veterans, wounded warriors and disabled vets as possible. Participants will enjoy a day of fishing on the pier, chow down on some great eats and experience the company of a lot of folks who care. Volunteers are needed for everything from assisting the participants in fishing, registering the participants, helping prepare and serve the meals and more. For more information on the Peer Fishing Festival and how to volunteer, check out the website at www.operationnorthstate.com/top-shelf-fishin-festivals.
National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in September, will be September 26 this year. National Hunting and Fishing Day remains one of the most effective grassroots efforts ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation. National, state and local organizations host hunting- and fishing-related public events in various locations — from shooting ranges and wildlife refuges to fish hatcheries and suburban frog ponds.These events help nurture understanding and appreciation of conservation among diverse segments of our communities.
Readers who live out-of-town, near the edge of town or around water may have already begun to hear some gunfire as hunting seasons open for the fall. If it’s out of town, it’s legal, so there isn’t a need to be alarmed and report it. The season for Canada geese opened on September 1. Dove and marsh hen (rails) seasons opened on September 5, and a special September season for teal (ducks) opened on September 10. The archery season for deer opened on September 12, but that will be quiet as bows and arrows don’t make much noise. Deer hunters won’t make much noise until muzzleloader season opens on October 3.
Fall arrived earlier this week and fishermen are looking forward to the great fall fishing. Our expectations are high too, as fishing has been pretty good so far. Scales and Tales will be here every Wednesday through Thanksgiving with the most recent report we can assemble. Our primary goal each week is to give everyone the latest fishing news and events, but we want to include lots of pictures of smiling fishermen with their catches.
We rely on you, our readers, for your reports and especially your pictures. If you have a picture with a nice catch that makes you smile, that’s the one we want. Your friends and family will like to see it also. When you catch those big or unusual fish, take a picture with your phone or camera and email it to us at sports@stateportpilot.com or jerry.dilsaver@gmail.com. We look forward to highlighting reader catches.
Let’s start this week’s report in the edge of the ocean with surf and pier fishing. The water has only cooled a few degrees, but the fish must be feeling it. The fish aren’t feeding like mad yet, but their activity has picked up enough to notice. Of course, part of the reason for the close to shore fishing getting so fired up is the finger mullet, pogies and occasional schools of larger mullet running along the beaches.
Surf fishermen reported catching a variety of species that included red drum, flounder, bluefish, pompano, black drum, speckled trout, gray trout and even a few Spanish mackerel. Pier fishermen close to the beach also reported catching a similar mixture of species, but no abundance of any of them. Most of these fish have been caught using bait, but Spanish mackerel also hit small shiny jigs with a vengeance and bluefish will hit bait or lures.
It appears there are some tarpon in our area again, but whether they are holding here a while or just passing through is unknown. There isn’t a way of knowing if this was a fish caught and released that didn’t survive, that died naturally or was attacked by another fish, but reader Tim Stevenson sent a couple of pictures of a tarpon he saw in the surf near Crowell Street Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, the fish was no longer alive. Nature is cruel and sometimes things like this happen no matter how hard we try to prevent them.
The action on the pier ends keeps trying to fire off, but, at least so far, the bite begins firing up, but the action doesn’t sustain. King mackerel have been the biggest part of this, but there have been Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle. With more bait arriving almost daily and the water cooling, this fishing is setting on go.
Those kings that are feeding on baits from the piers have brought some friends with them. Not all the kings come all the way to the beach, but some stop around the sea buoys, the tide lines at each inlet and the artificial reefs. There are also some big red drum in all these areas and they tend to eat baits intended for other fish.
Spanish mackerel are feeding hard and might be found anywhere from just beyond the breakers out to the tide lines near the sea buoy. They like small flashy lures and jigs that are trolled or retrieved quickly. They will also hit finger mullet suspended under floats. It a lot of fun to catch them this way using trout, puppy drum and flounder outfits.
There are also schools of king mackerel farther offshore that are feeding hard. Let’s ballpark 60 feet of water for them and mention spots like 15 Mile Rock, 18 Mile Rock and the Shark hole that are straight out the Cape Fear River Inlet. There are also still a few dolphin in closer and feeding with these kings. The water remains warm enough to occasionally have an encounter of the sailfish kind.
Offshore bottom fishing has been good all year and that hasn’t changed. This fishing begins at about 60 feet deep with black sea bass, grunts and porgies. Moving to rocks, ledges and other structure in deeper water add more species and the potential to catch larger fish. Fishermen that run to deeper water might see several species of snappers and groupers, triggerfish, hogfish, African pompano, amberjacks and occasionally some surprises.
We didn’t receive any reports this week from fishermen that headed to the Gulf Stream to try their luck at trolling. There have been some reports from just up the coast at Carolina and Wrightsville Beaches that included wahoo, blackfin tuna and dolphin in their Gulf Stream catches. Expectations are there are some fish out there, but it’s a long run to the Gulf Stream from the Cape Fear River Inlet.
Even with the 2026 flounder season over, fishermen have been busy inside the inlets. Red drum, black drum and speckled trout have accounted for most of the inshore catches, but some fishermen are doing well catching sheepshead and there have been a few reports of tripletail again.
Even with the water temps still holding above 80, fishermen are catching a few specks and reds on topwaters. This action has been best early in the morning and usually tapers off beginning around 8-9 a.m. Sometimes, especially on cloudy or rainy days, this lasts longer, but both species get a bit gun shy once the sun gets up some.
Specks and reds will also hit soft plastics and hard lures. Change to live shrimp or minnows and it gets the interest of black drum too. Red drum and black drum wil also eat pieces of shrimp or cut bait.
Look for specks and both drum in water more than a few feet deep, but red drum will feed shallow as well. Good places to find them are around creek mouths, at points, around oyster rocks, sand bars and mud bars. Don’t overlook docks too, especially if scraps are thrown over, like with the dock owner cleaning fish. Flounder will be in many of these places too, but their season is closed and they must be released.
Most fishermen can learn to catch sheepshead, but there is a learning curve. The biggest thing is they can bite so softly they’re difficult to feel – especially for new fishermen or fishermen that have trouble paying attention. Look for sheepshead on vertical structure. This can be pilings, bulkheads bridge abutments, jetties, rip-rap rap and submerged rock piles. Sandfiddlers are the top sheepshead bait locally and most tackle shops carry them.
Tripletails are one of the more southern fish that only visit N.C. during the summer. I don’t know if tripletails only bite every other week of if we only receive reports of them on that schedule. We received several reports of tripletail catches two weeks ago, then none last week, but several again this week. We’d like to have some pictures to accompany the reports as they’re rather unusual looking fish.
Thanks for checking out our weekly Scales and Tales reports for 2026. We’ll be here every Wednesday through Thanksgiving. We rely on readers, guides, tackle shops and other fishermen for reports. Sometimes the tackle shops and guides send pictures, but we like to fill the page with pictures from readers, so keep sending them. Send those pictures of you smiling wide and holding your latest catch to us at sports@stateportpilot.com or jerry.dilsaver@gmail.com. Include a few details of your catch and we’ll gladly share them with all your friends and fishing buddies and our readers.
NOTE: Size and number regulations for all coastal species may be found in the Hot Topic links at the top right of the Division of Marine Fisheries home page at www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries. This page also has links to DMF news releases and fishery proclamations. There are provisions on each of these pages to register to receive e-mail notification of fishery management issues and changes.
The fall version of the Oak Island Recreation Department Surf Fishing School returned once during September and will do it again in October. The instructor for these schools is Tracy Mastin of Faith Surf Fishing (www.faithsurffishing.com). Since the spring, Mastin has added a new accolade to his resume. He has been selected as a member of Team USA Surf Fishing and will be competing in the world championship in Italy in November.
These classes feature a Friday night classroom session at the Oak Island Ocean Education Center, followed by an on-the beach session Saturday. Only one class remains for 2026 and it will be Friday and Saturday, October 9-10. There is a registration fee of $40 for Oak Island residents and $45 for non-residents. It is wise to register early as these classes often fill.
These classes are designed specifically for fishing the Oak Island surf, but will also contain good information for fishermen wanting to broaden their horizons at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and places beyond. The sessions cover surf fishing outfits, tackle bait and everything you need to know from casting into the surf. The information will be as fresh as the fish you’ll catch as Tracy Mastin guides in the area and fishes the Oak Island surf regularly. Call the Oak Island Ocean Education Center at 910-278-4747 or visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/PROGRAMS for more information or to register.
National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in September, will be September 26 this year. National Hunting and Fishing Day remains one of the most effective grassroots efforts ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation. National, state and local organizations host hunting- and fishing-related public events in various locations — from shooting ranges and wildlife refuges to fish hatcheries and suburban frog ponds. These events help nurture understanding and appreciation of conservation among diverse segments of our communities.
In the 1960s, hunters and anglers embraced the era’s heightened environmental awareness but were discouraged that many people didn’t understand the crucial role that sportsmen had played-and continue to play-in the conservation movement. The first to suggest an official day of thanks to sportsmen was Ira Joffe, owner of Joffe’s Gun Shop in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. In 1970, Pennsylvania Gov. Raymond Shafer adopted Joffe’s idea and created “Outdoor Sportsman’s Day” in the state.
In past years, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has held and sponsored several events across the state to commemorate National Hunting and Fishing Day, but at this point there are only hunter safety classes on their calendar. One of these events will be a Hunter Education Certification class held at the Brunswick County Agriculture Extension Office at 25 Referendum Drive in Bolivia. The class is a full day and students must bring their own pen or pencil to the class.
This course is provided at no charge and meets the hunter education requirement for all first-time hunting license buyers in North Carolina. The contact for the class is Rick Murdaugh rick@brunswickpestcontrol.com or (910) 443-4165.
Scoping period on kingfishes
The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) opened a scoping period on September 1 that will run through September 30, to provide fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies and to discuss priorities for the scheduled 5-year review of the N.C. Kingfishes Fishery Management Plan. There are three species of kingfishes, commonly called sea mullet or whiting, found in North Carolina waters: southern, Gulf and northern. All three species are managed collectively under the Kingfishes FMP.
DMF will consider input gathered during the scoping period to determine if management changes should be considered. If changes are identified, the division will draft an Amendment to the FMP. If no changes are identified, the division may develop an information update that maintains current management.
The public may provide input in writing several different ways. More information — including a scoping document with background information, links to the livestream and public comment forms — is available at the Division of Marine Fisheries website (www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries).
We did not receive any results from fishing tournaments this week.
Red drum is North Carolina’s official state saltwater fish, and very popular with fishermen. It generates lots of attention any time there is a discussion of changing the management program for them, but it’s time for a review. Those who fish for red drum, also known as puppy drum, redfish, bull drum and channel bass, will have opportunities to express their opinions and concerns during the upcoming scoping period for red drum. This includes written opinions and four public meetings.
The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will hold a scoping period Oct. 1-30, to provide fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies for the scheduled comprehensive review of the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
Beginning Oct. 1, the public may provide input in writing or at any of the scheduled scoping meetings. More information — including a scoping document with background information and links to the virtual meeting registration and public comment forms — will be made available closer to the opening of the scoping period.
Four Red Drum Scoping Meetings will be held at various location across the state including Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6 to 8 p.m., Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington.