Hatteras/Ocracoke – August 2025
Derrick, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf anglers have done well catching sea mullet and croakers while bottom fishing with sand fleas or shrimp.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are being hooked with casting jigs both from the surf (early and late) and local piers.
Soundside anglers have been landing speckled trout, red drum, and a bunch of bluefish.
Mark, of Reel Em In Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has been excellent. Anglers are seeing their best success while targeting deeper grass beds in the 3-5’ depth ranges with popping cork setups. This strategy sounds simple, but the tactic has been as reliable as it could possibly be this summer. If the trout aren’t cooperating on the popping cork setups, then ditch the popping corks and throw straight soft plastics on jig heads to target a couple of feet deeper.
The red drum fishing has been steadily picking up, with both slot and just under-slot fish in the mix. Carolina-rigged cut mullet has been the best bet for the reds. Target shallower shoals, especially those that see current pushing up onto them.
There are still plenty of hungry bluefish around, and they are scattered all over the area. Both cut baits or metal casting jigs will get strikes from the blues.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that most anglers are finding a mixed bag of croakers, spots, and small bluefish.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that the surf action has been steady up and down the island. Anglers bottom fishing have been catching any mix of sea mullet, pompano, small flounder, and plenty of croakers.
A bunch of bluefish and some spanish mackerel will push within casting range, especially when the water is clean.
Those looking to test their gear on sharks are finding spinners, sand tigers, blacktips, and a few hammerheads at night.
Soundside anglers are catching speckled trout, puppy drum, and bluefish.
Jay Scanlon, of PA, landed this mahi on a rock pile offshore of Hatteras Inlet using squid.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that the bottom fishing action has been best since the heat is keeping most of the fish down in the water column. Most anglers are using shrimp, sand fleas, or artificial bait strips, and spot and croakers are making up the majority of the action.
Schools of bluefish are around, with anglers who are out early in the morning or towards the evening hours having success by casting metal jigs and Gotcha plugs.
Christy, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that anglers are catching a decent variety of bottom fish (sea mullet, croakers, etc.) despite the warm water temperatures.
Some pompano are mixed in the action, and these bites are coming from baits fished in the wash along the surf line.
A bunch of bluefish are on the beaches, and they’re hitting both casting jigs and cut baits.
Overall, fishing the beaches north of Buxton has been a little more productive due to the cooler, cleaner water conditions.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the offshore boats are finding good numbers of mahi, with some billfish in the mix.
Some offshore anglers have enjoyed the addition of a bonus summertime wahoo.
Amberjacks and almaco jacks have been plentiful.
Nearshore anglers are catching spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Those targeting the sound are finding speckled trout, red drum, bluefish, sheepshead, and some spanish mackerel.
Surf fishing has been a little slower, with modest action coming from spanish mackerel, bluefish, and sea mullet.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that the speckled trout fishing has been excellent. Anglers are having plenty of success with Z-Man paddle tails in a wide variety of color patterns.
Big numbers of bluefish are around. The blues are aggressive, and they’re hitting just about anything they see.
On those really windy days, red drum fishing has been the best action. Cut bait fished up around some of the flats usually provides the strongest opportunity for hookups.
Cobia could soon show a bit more, with a wave of fish usually moving into the area around mid-August for the cut bait fishing crowd.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that anglers have had some good success targeting speckled trout in the sound. Z-Man soft plastics on jig heads work great for targeting the deeper channels and holes that these fish are holding in.
Anglers have been sight-casting to schools of red drum. Spoons, bucktails, and swimbaits all work well for the drum, especially when they are in aggressive feeding patterns.
Some big red drum are being caught by anglers that are bottom fishing in the evenings.
Sheepshead are being caught from around buoys in the inlet channel.
Out off the beach, plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish can be found.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that anglers have been happy to find some decent schools of mahi. Summertime fishing means many times these fish will be holding under floating debris or other flotsam that boats hope to come across offshore. When trolling, squid and smaller ballyhoo have both produced some strikes.
Trolling has also produced some blue marlin and sailfish (when pulling the smaller “dink” ballyhoo).
Ken, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that bottom fishing action in the surf has been producing a bunch of sea mullet and pompano.
Anglers out on the beach at dawn, or later around dusk, are catching spanish mackerel, bluefish, and some puppy drum.
Soundside anglers have been bringing in a bunch of citation-class pompano.
Schools of bluefish are all over the place in the sound.
Some speckled trout are showing up for anglers fishing the grass flats.
Big drum are around, with most of the bite happening further out into the sound and at night.
