UTERAtlantic cutlassfish fishing in Wilmington & Crystal Coast
In Wilmington & Crystal Coast, Atlantic cutlassfish peak July–September and are around June–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Ribbonfish off the piers and in the inlets — catch them for king bait.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Atlantic cutlassfish in Wilmington & Crystal Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneArriving
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeakRibbonfish off the piers and in the inlets — catch them for king bait.
- SeptemberPeakPeak; Gotcha plugs and small jigs at dawn.
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish Atlantic cutlassfish near Calabash, Southport, Wilmington
South-facing beaches between Cape Fear and Cape Lookout, the Cape Fear River, marsh creeks and ICW behind Masonboro, Topsail and Bogue banks, Core Sound and Harkers Island — with the Cape Lookout and Frying Pan shoals, hundreds of nearshore wrecks and ARs, and the Big Rock and the Gulf Stream 30–50 miles out.
What to use for Atlantic cutlassfish
- Glass minnows (bay anchovies)Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 68–88°F water, best at 74–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch Atlantic cutlassfish in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Peak season is July–September. Atlantic cutlassfish are in Wilmington & Crystal Coast June–October. August: Ribbonfish off the piers and in the inlets — catch them for king bait.
Where do Atlantic cutlassfish hold in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Look on fishing pier, pass / inlet, channel edge, bridge — around Calabash, Southport, Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Topsail, Swansboro.
What is the best bait for Atlantic cutlassfish in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Live bait: glass minnows (bay anchovies), live shrimp. Glass minnows (bay anchovies): Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for Atlantic cutlassfish in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and change — read the current rule at https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/rules-proclamations-and-size-and-bag-limits before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing.
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