Hatteras/Ocracoke – May 2026
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the surf action has come alive, with red drum making a strong push onto the beaches. Anglers are catching good numbers along the stretch from ramps 23 to 38.
Some bigger reds and large bluefish have been mixed in along the south facing beaches.
Anglers fishing bigger cut baits are starting to hook into sand tiger sharks, and bottom fishing efforts are producing plenty of sea mullet and some scattered pufferfish.
Bluefish are starting to move in for those putting in time back in the sound.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishing anglers are finding some really good sea mullet action, with croakers and the occasional gray trout mixed in.
The puppy drum action has been pretty good, with scattered showings of fish over 30-inches and even a bigger drum or two mixed in.
Bluefish have been pushing in, including some big ones (up to 34 inches) around.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers along the whole island have been seeing plenty of red drum around. Most of these fish are in the slot or just above.
Those fishing fresh cut baits are also catching rays and some really big sharks.
Sea mullet are around for anglers fishing two-hook bottom rigs with smaller cut baits, shrimp, or Fishbites bait strips.
Bluefish are moving in, with some larger fish mixed in.
Nearshore anglers have been locked onto schools of big red drum south of the Point while sight casting bucktails.
Some citation-class sheepshead are holding on structure off the beach.
Eric, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers with smaller bottom setups are having success catching sea mullet, croakers, and some sheepshead.
The red drum action is starting to pick up. Most of the reds have been puppy drum, but there have been some big ones mixed in.
Butch, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that surf anglers are catching puppy drum, sea mullet, and a few bigger reds.
The sound action has still been slow to get going. For now, a few puppy drum on the flats make up most of the catch.
Lee, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the nearshore bite is starting to come alive, with anglers finding schools of bull red drum moving around. Sight casting to these schools has been the favored tactic, though cut baits fished in deeper channels or in the inlet can also draw strikes.
Plenty of good‑sized bluefish are out off the beach.
Some bigger sheepshead are being caught from around structure in the inlet and off the beach.
Boats able to run offshore are returning with blackfin tuna.
Surf anglers are finding sea mullet, bluefish, puppy drum, and some big red drum.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that the inshore action hasn’t quite taken off yet, with many of the late spring and summer species just beginning to move into the inlets. Red drum and some good‑sized bluefish should be the first two species to set up on the flats inside the inlets.
Shortly after, speckled trout pushing out of the mainland rivers and creeks will join the mix as bait pulls them onto these same flats and nearby ledges.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that anglers are having a lot of success crushing big red drum off the beaches. These fish are often found on top and chasing shrimp and bait (such as baby ribbonfish) right out of the water. Anglers are having success throwing big topwater plugs and Jig Man bucktails with white soft plastic grub trailers.
As a bonus, there have been some blackfin tuna in shallow water (30-feet and deeper) ripping through schools of glass minnows.
Nearshore structures in 8-35 feet are holding a bunch of big sheepshead, with live sand fleas or cut blue crab being the ticket.
Some of those giant bluefish have started moving into the inlet, and large, single‑hook topwater plugs are the lure of choice.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that anglers have been catching a bunch of nice‑sized sheepshead on nearshore wrecks with either sand fleas or cut blue crab.
Schools of citation‑class red drum are scattered along the beaches from the inlet to the shoals. For these fish, sight casting big bucktails with a stout hook on a 40-60 lb. test leader has been the best tactic.
Some good‑sized bluefish in the 5-15 lb. range are around, especially near the inlet and on the flats just inside.
Slot‑sized red drum can be found back on the grass flats, with a piece of fresh cut mullet on a fish finder rig being a good setup. This bite has been better in the evening.
Max Bigney, of Rodanthe, landed this red drum on cut mullet offshore of Rodanthe.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the blackfin tuna bite has been pretty good. So far, boats are finding mostly a smaller class of fish, but some blackfins up to 20 lbs. are mixed in. A ballyhoo rigged under a sea witch has been the best producing combo, and birds and Green Machines are also getting strikes.
The gaffer‑sized dolphin have started to show up, with a handful being caught while targeting tuna.
Wahoo and yellowfin tuna have been pretty scarce.
Anglers out in deeper water (over 40 fathoms) have seen blue marlin around.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Charters, reports that recent trips have found good‑sized blackfin tuna, scattered gaffer mahi, and some king mackerel.
For the tuna and mahi, boats have been fishing the rocks where the incoming mahi will be holding under scattered weed lines. Smaller “dink” ballyhoo have been better at getting mahi strikes.
The boat has already released a blue marlin this year.
Nearshore anglers are having plenty of success with schools of big drum or by fishing structure for sheepshead.
Zane, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that red drum fishing continues to be good on the beaches. Fresh cut bait has been producing over‑slot fish (30-35 inch range), with a few citations occasionally showing up.
Bluefish are starting to mix into the surf action. They’re mostly hitting lures but also cut bait. These blues have generally been a bigger class of fish, with some pushing past 30-inches.
Anglers fishing in the inlet continue to catch citation‑class drum while bottom fishing.
Back in the sound, puppy drum and speckled trout are on the flats.
