Spanish mackerel fishing out of Sneads Ferry
Spanish mackerel fishing out of Sneads Ferry happens close to the beach. Boats leave Sneads Ferry through New River Inlet and fish just outside the inlets and along the beachfronts, out to 30-40 ft of water. The default method is trolling small Clarkspoons, and most trips stay inside 5 miles.
Spanish move with warm water along this coast. Our Spanish mackerel guide covers migration and biology, and the Atlantic Southeast Spanish mackerel guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide) covers the regional picture. This page covers the port: how far to run, what structure to check, and how locals rig.
Where boats run and the structure that holds fish
The run is short. Local charters set the range markers, and your own boat can use the same ones:
- OMC’s 3 hour trip fishes within 3 miles of the beach.
- Badfish’s close-coast trip fishes within 5 miles.
- Pelagic Hunter’s kids trip fishes within 5 miles.
| Ground | Type | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| New River Inlet sea buoy area | Inlet approach | |
| New River Reef (AR-355) | Artificial reef | |
| Divers Rock | Rock | 45 ft |
| AR 398 | Estuarine reef, New River | 8 ft |
Inlet mouths and beachfronts
Spanish hold just outside the inlets and along the beachfronts, out to 30-40 ft of water. That puts the working zone inside the 3 to 5 mile range the charters fish. Start at the inlet mouth and work the beach in that depth band.
New River Inlet sea buoy area
The sea buoy area marks the inlet approach and is the first named ground you cross on the way out.
New River Reef (AR-355)
New River Reef (AR-355) is a named artificial reef near the port. The North Carolina artificial reef guide lists the reef program’s sites.
Divers Rock
Divers Rock sits in 45 ft.
AR 398 estuarine reef
AR 398 is the New River estuarine reef. It lies in the river rather than the ocean, at 8 ft.
Chart layers and reef positions are useful for planning but should not be used for navigation.
How Spanish are fished here
Trolling is the default, with casting and live bait rounding out the local spread.
Clarkspoons behind planers or weights
Locals troll Clarkspoons from #00 to #1 behind #1 planers or trolling weights. Either one gets the spoons down to the fish.
Casting at surface schools
When fish show on top, anglers cast plugs and jigs at the surface schools.
Live bait on king rigs
Live bait fished on king rigs also takes Spanish, a crossover with king mackerel fishing.
Who fishes for Spanish out of this port
These Sneads Ferry charters list Spanish mackerel.
| Charter | Captain | Boat | Nearshore range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing | Capt. John C. Cruise III | Pelagic Hunter II | Kids trip within 5 miles |
| OMC Fishing Adventures | 31 ft Pursuit, up to 6 guests | 3 hour trip within 3 miles of the beach | |
| Badfish Fishing Charters | Capt. Daniel Powell | 31 ft Luhrs, twin diesels | Close-coast trip within 5 miles |
| Drifter Sportfishing & Charters | Capt. Tiffany Kirkpatric | 30 ft Southport (offshore boat) |
Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
Capt. John C. Cruise III runs Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing. News coverage names the boat Pelagic Hunter II. The kids trip fishes within 5 miles.
OMC Fishing Adventures
One More Cast Fishing Adventures runs a 31 ft Pursuit with room for up to 6 guests. See the OMC Fishing Adventures trips. The 3 hour trip fishes within 3 miles of the beach.
Badfish Fishing Charters
Capt. Daniel Powell runs a 31 ft Luhrs with twin diesels. The Badfish Fishing Charters nearshore trip fishes within 5 miles.
Drifter Sportfishing & Charters
Capt. Tiffany Kirkpatric runs Drifter Sportfishing & Charters. The offshore boat is a 30 ft Southport.
FAQ about Spanish mackerel fishing out of Sneads Ferry
How far do I need to run for Spanish off New River Inlet?
Just outside the inlets and along the beachfronts. Local charter trips stay within 3 to 5 miles.
What depth should I fish?
Fish out to 30-40 ft of water along the beachfronts.
What size Clarkspoon works here?
Use #00 to #1.
Should I use a planer or a trolling weight?
Locals use either a #1 planer or trolling weights to get spoons down. Both are standard.
Will king rigs catch Spanish?
Yes. Live bait on king rigs also takes Spanish. For king mackerel and other species, see our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Which Sneads Ferry charters run short trips for kids?
Pelagic Hunter’s kids trip fishes within 5 miles. OMC’s 3 hour trip fishes within 3 miles of the beach.
