Hatteras/Ocracoke – October 2025
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that fall means its drum weather, and the fish so far have cooperated. Up and down the beach and local piers, anglers are catching good numbers of red drum from slot-sized on up to plenty of citation-class fish.
Good-sized bluefish were around before the blow, and they’re expected to show back up when conditions settle down.
Some pompano have already been caught. Hopefully, a few are left and the overall numbers increase once the surf conditions clean up.
The sound has seen plenty of flounder action. Moving into fall, efforts will shift to targeting red drum on the flats, and soon after, the speckled trout should be firing up.
Mark, of Reel Em In Charters, reports that red drum fishing from the beaches and piers has been the hot bite for anglers using fresh cut mullet fished during moving tides.
Soundside trips have been productive in the mornings for the artificial bait crowd. Speckled trout and red drum are hitting topwater baits, with both species (and flounder) hitting soft plastics.
Later in the afternoon and into the evening, bait fishing is producing more action.
Loads of bluefish are also around.
Boden and Preston Mayo, and Bennett Laine, of Mesic, NC, caught (and released) this red drum in the Bay River using a live pinfish on a Carolina rig.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that red drum fishing has been on fire. Anglers are catching both over-slot bulls (to 42”+) and slot-sized drum with fresh cut baits.
The bluefish are feeding and numerous.
Pier anglers are catching some pompano, croakers, and spot. The bite for all of these species should improve as water conditions settle back down.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that pier anglers are catching plenty of red drum, with several reaching the 40”+ range.
Surf anglers are catching red drum (from slot to over-slot), as well as bluefish and flounder down around Buxton.
Spanish mackerel are in the area, and trips targeting the sound are producing limits of puppy drum and bluefish.
Flounder (to 6+ lbs.) are being caught on the sound side of the island.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports there’s been incredible drum fishing (to 46”). The northeast winds stirred everything up and has citation-class fish actively feeding all throughout the day and into night.
Some pier anglers are catching slot-sized red drum, too.
Bluefish are scattered in the catches, and anglers expect to see that bite pick right back up as conditions settle down.
Stewart, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that when northeast winds blow and gust, anglers out at the Point are enjoying red drum hookups when fishing with fresh cut baits and big weights.
Bluefish (3-5 lbs.) are around, with big numbers both in the surf and soundside.
The flounder bite was good and continues to be good in the sound.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the wahoo bite is picking up. Boats are beginning to see bigger fish back at the dock (and in better numbers).
The mahi bite has still been active, and offshore trolling efforts should continue to produce billfish and scattered blackfin tuna.
Inshore fishing continues to pick up, with bluefish being plentiful and the speckled trout getting more active as temperatures cool.
Red drum fishing is the best action right now for the inshore anglers, with both slot and over-slot fish feeding well on live baits, cut baits, and artificials.
Surf anglers grabbing extra weights and tackle are finding productive red drum fishing.
Plenty of bluefish are around whether fishing the surf or sound.
Anglers are hooking pompano and spanish mackerel from the surf. Hopefully, both species have another little push before migrating on out.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that red drum in the sound have been an excellent target in the sound when sight-casting or fishing cut baits. As conditions settle and the water cleans back up, gold spoons and soft plastic paddle tails with lighter jig heads will also be good options while targeting the flats. Most of the area’s fall red drum are upper-slot to over-slot.
Bait fishing in the evenings is an effective strategy for the bull red drum bite.
Speckled trout fishing should pick up once the fall weather settles down. Throwing Z-Man paddle tails with a little Pro-Cure scent around deeper cuts, structure, and ledges will likely be the best producer.
Ali Travis, of Southport, landed this red drum on cut bait behind Hatteras Island in the Pamlico Sound. She was fishing with Capt. Cameron Whitaker of Tradition Fishing Charters.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the slight cooling trend should trigger the fall bite, and the wahoo action has already kicked off.
Sailfish will be mixed in the action, with the sea witch/ballyhoo combo producing strikes from both species, and the tuna will show back up in strong numbers as the area more officially moves into fall.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Sportfishing Charters, reports that a great wahoo bite has shown up. This wahoo action will only continue to improve with more consistent and more quality fish.
The blackfin tuna are showing up as fall approaches.
Mahi are still around in smaller numbers, but they will likely move on by the end of October.
Billfish are active, with some blue marlin and a lot of sailfish around.
Jackie, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are catching plenty of bluefish (28-32”) in the surf.
Red drum fishing is consistent, with mostly upper-slot and over-slot fish in both the surf and sound.
Anglers back in the sound are also catching bull drum around deeper ledges and channels when soaking bait.
Some flounder have been and are still being caught.
Pompano and spanish mackerel will show back up for the surf anglers once conditions settle down.
