Cape Lookout National Seashore
Experience Cape Lookout
At It's Finest
Cape Lookout National Seashore is a coastal reserve in North Carolina with 56 miles of unspoiled beaches, historic landmarks, and diverse outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife watching while immersing themselves in the seashore’s stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Fall Albie Blitz
Many people say that Albie fishing at Cape Lookout in the Fall is the most fun way to fish on the east coast! The action is usually fast paced, chasing down schools of aggressive Little Tunny that are ferociously feeding on baitfish on the surface. A quick, well placed cast usually results in a hookup and a drag-smoking first run.
False Albacore begin their Fall migration down the coast from the North around late September. Cape Lookout is arguably the most famous of destinations for targeting Albies on fly and light tackle because of its beauty as a location and the possibility of a giant False Albacore. November comes and usually brings much cooler Northerly winds and the bigger Albacore (15-25lbs) begin to show up. The “Buffalo” Albies will show you where they get their nickname! Average Alberts at Cape Lookout are 10-15lbs. Making them a bit larger than the typical fish found in the New England area. Cape Lookout has a population of XL Albies (20+lb) that live around our many wrecks and artificial reefs. These special, large fish mix in with the more migratory (and smaller albies) that are gorging on baitfish outside of our inlets.
Get With The Program
Let's Talk Fishing
The fishing day begins by heading out of Beaufort or Bardens’ Inlet and immediately begin looking for birds or splashes. If the fish are not around the inlets, we would head to the west down Atlantic Beach and Pine Knoll Shores. In addition to that option, we may head also East toward the turbulent Cape Lookout Shoals. However, if the Albies have been hanging out further offshore we will go to wherever the bite has been the best.
The Albies will hunt in packs around the inlets and shoals where the tide is pushing bait around making them easy prey. Typically start times will be early morning ranging from 6:30-7:30am. The Albies bite really well first thing on most days! Sometimes they bite all day and other times the bite will turn off once the sun gets high. As the light gets lower in the evening the fish feed hard once again, usually for a shorter period of time than the morning. Although, the tide movement will also turn the fish on and off like a light switch.
Once we locate the fish, I’ll get the boat into position so you can make casts into the Albies that are busting the bait balls. False Albacore are known for their drag-screaming runs and willingness to crush a fly, casting jig or topwater lure. My favorite lure (other than fly!) is the Albie Snax, it doesn’t look like much besides a white or pink worm and swims near the surface with a fast retrieve to get a reaction strike. These fish just can’t resist! They explode on them just about any time it lands near them. After you hook a false albacore you’ll be instantly addicted!
What We use
False Albacore Tackle
Favorite Fly Patterns
- Pink/White Clouser minnow #2
- Tan/White Clouser minnow #2
- Albiewh*re in white, pink or chartreuse (white is best!) #1 – #4
- Surf Candies, white-tan-pink-chartruese #2 – #6
- Chartreuse and white half n half 2/0 – #2
Fly gear
- 9′ 8wt – 9′ 10wt moderate fast to fast action fly rod.
- Large arbor fly reel with plenty of drag and 200+ yards of backing with smooth connections.
- Leaders are typically 9′ with a 3′ butt section of 30lb, 3′ 20lb and 3′ 15lb to the fly. I like fluorocarbon due to its abrasion resistance and it disappears under water.
spinning & Conventional Gear
- 2500-4000 series spinning reel with 15-20lb braided line (ie power pro, J-braid etc).
- Leader: 2-3′ of 15lb flurocarbon.
- 1/2 oz – 1 oz casting metals (shore lures, Big Nic Spanish candies, Albie Snax hard lures, hogy epoxy jigs) colors: pink/white, green/white, green/silver, chartruese/white.
- ALBIE SNAX: white or pink are the colors you need, I rig mine with a gamakatsu superline weighted(3/16) 6/0 swimbait hook or a 1/4oz jig head.
The Conditions
Wind and Weather
The best time of year for False Albacore at Cape Lookout is October-Early December. Although, some years we have them throughout December. Like most fishing on the coast-it is all weather dependent. North winds are always the best for Albies. Our shorelines of Cape Lookout, Atlantic Beach and the Crystal coast face the South, so even with a 20-25kt North wind we can fish up to a couple miles off of the beach. The best Albie days I’ve ever had were in 25kt North and North East winds. However, southerly winds will be more rough and create more swell.
I will make the decision the night before or morning of if we are forced to cancel due to bad ocean conditions. If the weather gets rough while we are fishing we will return to the dock. Or we can always try some inshore fishing if possible. If we have to call it early we will work out an agreement so that you get your moneys worth! Above all, safety is our first priority on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Polarized sunglasses, camera, rain gear, non-marking boots or shoes, hat, adequate warm layers for the weather and any food/drinks you’d like to have on the boat. Feel free to bring your own fishing gear if you would like to use it. Keep in mind I do provide all tackle needed for your fishing day.
All clients over the age of 16 are required by law to have a North Carolina coastal fishing license. They can be purchased at any retailer that sells fishing licenses and can also purchased online. If you would like to purchase your license online please visit the link on the Contact page.
This is a common question that unfortunately cannot be answered easily. We can give you a general area but fishing locations are determined on a day to day basis as we try to keep our guests on the best possible bite. Everything we do is aimed at client success and creating the best possible experience on the water. With that said although a general location may be specified we ask you keep an open mind and let the guides expertise dictate the fishing grounds.
Kids are most definitely welcome on the boat. We want kids to pick up interest in fishing! Just let me know in advance so I can supply proper sized life jackets for kids under 13. Certain trips are not ideal for children. So give me a call me and I will set up an appropriate trip for you.
I do not offer fish cleaning services, but I will have a large cooler for fish on the boat so you can keep what you catch. Your catch just has to meet State and Federal regulations for size and species. If you plan on keeping fish, make sure you have a fish cooler & ice to transport the fish home with you!
The Captain has the option of canceling the trip due to weather for safety reasons or if the fishing will be effected negatively by rough conditions. If your trip is cancelled due to weather your deposit will be refunded or you will have the option to re-book at a later date. You will be contacted the night before to discuss weather. Rain is not a weather event that I will cancel a trip for, only thunderstorms, wind and fog are major factors.
We will always go fishing if the weather permits, if you cancel and fishing is possible your deposit will not be refunded unless you have a family emergency etc. You will have the option of re-booking at a later date if possible.
If the weather changes while we are out fishing forcing us to call the day early we will work something out that is fair. By either charging for just a partial day or re-booking your trip for a later date.
You can call me directly to book at (336) 354-9582 or shoot me an email at fishinsightguideservice@gmail.com. A $100 deposit is required on all bookings. Deposits are preferred to be mailed to me as a check or with a credit card. I will accept checks, credit card or cash at the time of your trip for the remaining balance. Gratuity is always appreciated!