Onslow Bay's artificial reefs and the live bottom offshore — black sea bass, grouper, snapper, grunts. Heavier tackle and one piece of legally required kit.
Required aboard in South Atlantic federal waters when reef fish are on board. Brought up from depth a fish's swim bladder over-expands and it cannot get back down — a descender returns it. Rig it and have it ready, not buried in a locker.
Also required for reef fish in the South Atlantic. Gets the hook out without pulling the gut with it.
Required for reef fish with natural bait in the South Atlantic. Non-stainless so a broken-off hook rusts out instead of staying put.
You're lifting fish off structure before they get back into it. A 6–7 ft rod with backbone and a reel holding 300 yards of 30–50 lb braid.
The standard chicken rig — two hooks on droppers above a sinker. Buy them pre-tied to start; tie your own once you know what you're doing.
Weight is dictated by depth and current, not preference. Carry the whole range — too light and you never reach bottom, too heavy and you feel nothing.
Squid stays on the hook, cigar minnows draw better fish. Most reef species aren't fussy — presentation and staying on the structure matter more.
Generic product types, not recommendations of a particular brand. Nothing here is sponsored and there are no affiliate links. Sizes, seasons and limits change — the official pages above are the authority, not this list.