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Saltwater & Coast

Cape Lookout Fishing Guide

North Carolina

A fall false albacore destination off Harkers Island with surf and inlet fishing.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Cape Lookout for redfish, false albacore and spanish mackerel. The best months overall are May, Sep to Nov. In October, redfish, false albacore and spanish mackerel are in season, and Clouser Minnow, EP Baitfish and Surf Candy are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is Harker's Island Fishing Center in Harkers Island, 5 mi away. Pamlico Sound is 51 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

May, Sep to Nov

In October

Redfish, False Albacore, Spanish Mackerel

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Cape Lookout Species

Redfish

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

False Albacore

Prime Now
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Best: Sep to Nov

Spanish Mackerel

Prime Now
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Best: May to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

13 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • EP Baitfish #2/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · False Albacore, Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Surf Candy #1-4

    Fly

    Streamer · False Albacore

    Shop This Fly

  • Spoon Fly #1/0-2

    Fly

    Flats Fly · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Metal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Spanish Mackerel, False Albacore

    Shop This Lure

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Spanish Mackerel

    Shop This Lure

  • Weedless Gold Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Popping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader

    Lure

    Rig · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Shrimp 2 to 4 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Redfish

  • Sand Fleas Small

    Bait

    Live Bait · Redfish · Surf.

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Redfish · Surf and passes.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Redfish

Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

False Albacore

Fly 9 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, intermediate line, 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader, small epoxy baitfish flies.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20 lb braid, small metal jigs.

Spanish Mackerel

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a light wire or 30 lb leader, small spoons.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Cape Lookout

Fly Lines

RIO Redfish Fly Line

A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.

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Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.

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Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

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Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

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Flies

Saltwater Baitfish Fly Assortment

Clousers and Deceivers in sizes for stripers, snook, and reds.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly Rod

An 8 weight handles bass bugs, redfish flats, and wind. The most versatile warmwater and inshore size.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Sunglasses

Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Cape Lookout

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · North Carolina · 51 mi

Pamlico Sound

A massive sound behind the Outer Banks, famous for big bull redfish in late summer.

Redfish · Speckled Trout

Saltwater & Coast · North Carolina · 71 mi

Outer Banks

Surf and pier fishing for red drum and bluefish; offshore Gulf Stream trips from Hatteras.

Red drum · Bluefish · Spanish mackerel