18 active NWS alerts in North CarolinaBeach Hazards Statement · Special Weather Statement · Rip Current Statement · Coastal Flood Advisory
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Weather tools · Fishing forecast

Fishing forecast North Carolina

Sea conditions for anglers and small boats: waves, wind, gusts, the best fishing times and a 7-day sea outlook.

mist 55° mistNow

Sea data for Wrightsville Beach (Open-Meteo marine model). Conditions differ along the coast and on bays, lakes and rivers.

NWS: Rip Current Statement · Coastal Flood Advisory — read the alerts.

Can small boats go out now?

Fair – moderate seas

Waves
3.9 ft
Sea state
Slight
Wind
5 mph NNE
Gusts
5 mph
Swell
3.8 ft
Wave period
7 s
Water temperature
69 °F
Visibility
3 mi

Wave height – next 48 hours

Thu 6 AM3.9 ft
9 AM3.7 ft
12 PM3.4 ft
3 PM3.3 ft
6 PM3.2 ft
9 PM3.1 ft
Fri 12 AM3.1 ft
3 AM3.1 ft
6 AM3.1 ft
9 AM3 ft
12 PM2.8 ft
3 PM2.6 ft
6 PM2.5 ft
9 PM2.4 ft
Sat 12 AM2.2 ft
3 AM2.2 ft

Amber ≥ 4.1 ft (caution), red ≥ 8.2 ft (dangerous for small boats).

Best fishing times today

Waning gibbous · strong tides
  • Low tide turn2:30 AM – 4:30 AM
  • Dawn bite6:33 AM – 8:33 AM
  • High tide turn8:52 AM – 10:52 AM
  • Low tide turn3:26 PM – 5:26 PM
  • Dusk bite5:22 PM – 7:22 PM
  • High tide turn9:08 PM – 11:08 PM

Fish feed most actively around dawn, dusk and when the tide turns. New and full moon bring stronger currents.

7-day sea outlook

DayMax wavesWindRainSmall boats
Today 4.1 ft 5 mph 0% Small craft caution
Tomorrow 3.1 ft 5 mph 0% Fair
Sat, Oct 31 3.2 ft 9 mph 0% Fair
Sun, Nov 1 3.2 ft 7 mph 0% Fair
Mon, Nov 2 4.1 ft 4 mph 0% Fair
Tue, Nov 3 4.2 ft 6 mph 0% Small craft caution
Wed, Nov 4 – 14 mph 0% Fair

Always wear a life jacket, file a float plan (tell someone your route and return time), check the NWS marine forecast and Small Craft Advisories and monitor VHF channel 16 / NOAA Weather Radio. Do not go out when a gale, storm or tropical warning is in effect. U.S. Coast Guard emergencies: VHF 16 or 911.