King mackerel fishing out of Sneads Ferry runs through New River Inlet. This page covers when kings are around, how far boats run, which structure holds them, how they are fished locally and who fishes them. The Sneads Ferry port page has the launch, inlet and conditions picture. The king mackerel guide covers the species itself.
When kings are off Sneads Ferry
Some kings are reported at 30 miles in May, summer fish hold on nearshore structure, and the fall run from September to November brings them closer in.
May
The bite picks up in May, and some kings are already reported at 30 miles. That is the regional run along the Southeast coast (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide) reaching this stretch of Onslow Bay. Plan for the longest run of the year.
Summer
Kings hold on nearshore structure through summer. The named grounds are covered below.
Fall
From September to November, fish are closer in.
Tournament in mid-August
The Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament is held in mid-August. It is covered again under the charters below.
How far boats run from New River Inlet
Charter pages list these run ranges for trips that target kings.
| Charter | Trip | Range |
|---|---|---|
| OMC Fishing Adventures | Nearshore | 0-3 miles |
| Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing | Kids trip | Within 5 miles |
| Badfish Fishing Charters | Shorter trip | Up to 5 miles |
| Badfish Fishing Charters | Longer trip | Up to 10 miles |
| Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing | Half day | 5-15 miles |
| OMC Fishing Adventures | Kings | 0-15 miles and farther |
The May fish at 30 miles sit beyond every range in the table, while summer and fall work fits inside these bands. Use the table to size your fuel and your day. It doesn’t tell you where the fish will be.
Before you cross, read the NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period.
Grounds and structure that hold kings
Four named places cover the water from the New River estuary out through the inlet to nearshore structure.
- AR 398 (New River estuarine reef): inshore structure in the New River, 8 ft.
- New River Reef (AR-355): a named artificial reef, part of the nearshore structure kings use in summer.
- Divers Rock: natural structure at 45 ft, nearshore.
- New River Inlet sea buoy area: a spot boats fish off the inlet.
AR-numbered reefs show on the map as named points. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How kings are fished here
Local methods fall into two groups: baits worked around structure and lures worked over deeper structure. For general nearshore gamefish technique, see the gamefish guides.
Slow-trolled baits
Live or dead baits are slow-trolled around structure. Dead cigar minnows and Blue Water Candy Wedgies are part of the local spread, and live pogies (menhaden) are fished alongside them.
Spoons and plugs over deeper structure
Drone spoons and deep diver plugs go over deeper structure such as Divers Rock.
Who fishes kings out of Sneads Ferry
Four charters list king mackerel from this port, and one tournament builds its weekend around them.
Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
Capt. John C. Cruise III runs the operation, and news coverage names the boat Pelagic Hunter II. The kids trip stays within 5 miles and the half day runs 5-15 miles. See the Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing charter site.
OMC Fishing Adventures
Also listed as One More Cast Fishing Adventures. The boat is a 31 ft Pursuit carrying up to 6 guests. It fishes 0-3 miles, and 0-15 miles and farther for kings. See the OMC Fishing Adventures site.
Badfish Fishing Charters
Capt. Daniel Powell runs a 31 ft Luhrs with twin diesels. Trips run up to 5 and up to 10 miles. See the Badfish Fishing Charters site.
Drifter Sportfishing & Charters
Capt. Tiffany Kirkpatric runs the offshore boat, a 30 ft Southport.
Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament
The tournament is held in mid-August out of Sneads Ferry.
FAQ: king mackerel fishing out of Sneads Ferry
When do king mackerel show up off Sneads Ferry?
The bite picks up in May. Kings hold on nearshore structure through summer, and the fall run from September to November brings them closer in.
How far do you run for kings in May compared with fall?
In May, some kings are already reported at 30 miles. In fall, fish are closer in, and charter pages list ranges from 0-3 miles up to 15 miles and farther.
What baits and lures are used for kings here?
Slow-trolled live or dead baits around structure, including live pogies, dead cigar minnows and Blue Water Candy Wedgies. Drone spoons and deep diver plugs go over deeper structure.
What structure holds kings near New River Inlet?
New River Reef (AR-355), Divers Rock at 45 ft and the New River Inlet sea buoy area. AR 398 is an 8 ft estuarine reef in the New River.
When is the Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament?
It is held in mid-August. It is the main event for king mackerel fishing out of Sneads Ferry.
Which charters target kings out of Sneads Ferry?
Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing, OMC Fishing Adventures, Badfish Fishing Charters and Drifter Sportfishing & Charters list king mackerel.
