Species guide · North Carolina

Spot fishing in North Carolina

Leiostomus xanthurus, an inshore species also called Norfolk spot and yellowbelly. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Peak season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Currituck Sound at 77, one of 9 North Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Peak season

Where it's scoring now All North Carolina waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Peak season, about 6 more weeks

Jan: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Off season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Shoulder season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Peak season
Oct: Peak season
Nov: Shoulder season
Dec: Off season

Peak: Sep to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Nov.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

NCDMF says North Carolina anglers catch more spot than any other species. The fall run past Outer Banks piers, inlets and beaches in September and October is the peak, as fish leave the sounds to spawn offshore (South Atlantic spawning October-March). Present in South Carolina and Georgia estuaries most of the year.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 9

North Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's spot score this hour.

77Great

Currituck Sound

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (78) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 8 AM (80) · 75 named spots

76Great

Croatan and Roanoke Sounds

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (78) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (83) · 49 named spots

76Great

Pamlico Sound

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (76) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 6 PM (81) · 331 named spots

74Great

Pamlico and Pungo Rivers

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (74) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (77) · 134 named spots

73Great

Alligator River

Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (78) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (83) · 26 named spots

72Great

Albemarle Sound

Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (75) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (79) · 21 named spots

72Great

Neuse and Bay Rivers

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (73) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 6 PM (79) · 260 named spots

67Great

Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (69) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 PM (79) · 7 named spots

58Good

Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm

Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (67) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (78) · 1 named spot

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 55°F to 88°F, best between 64°F and 80°F.
Water depth: 2 to 30 ft of water.
Structure: Pier, bridge, jetty, channel, inlet, surf, bay and estuary, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers moving water and high tide, with light current.Moving water around piers, bridges and inlet channels, and the higher stages of the tide in shallow creeks, usually fish best. During the fall run schools pass beaches and inlets on any tide.
Light: Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Spot school over mud and sand in bays, tidal creeks and channels and around piers and bridges, generally in less than 25 feet of water. Fish a two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and bits of bloodworm or shrimp, and move until you find a school. In fall the biggest fish run out of the sounds past piers and inlets, and the bite can go all day.

Methods: bottom fishing
Lures: scented synthetic bait strips
Bait: bloodworms, shrimp, squid strips, clams

Regulations

NCDMF saltwater regulations Buy a North Carolina fishing license License types

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Sep 16, 2026.

No reviewed spot rule for North Carolina is on file yet. Check with NCDMF before you keep one.