OBX/Northern Beaches – September 2026
Kurt, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers throwing plugs from the local piers have been catching a bunch of spanish mackerel and bluefish, and some bonus cobia have bit for those fishing live baits from the end.
Bottom fishing from either the piers or surf has been producing a mixed bag of croakers, spot, sea mullet, and small flounder.
Back in the sound, anglers fishing the flats around the inlet are catching some puppy drum using natural bait options (like live or cut mullet) and artificials (like topwater plugs or soft plastics on popping corks or jig heads).
Big drum are further into the sound and mostly being caught by anglers soaking bait.
Boats headed offshore have been finding a mix of wahoo, mahi, sailfish, and white marlin, and a good bottom fishing bite has been anchored by tilefish.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Charters, reports that the sight casting bite is starting to pick back up for anglers running the beach and looking for schools of citation class red drum and cobia.
Bigger red drum can also be found in the inlets, and slot-size redfish are up on the flats.
Vincent, of Stick Em Fishing Adventures, reports that spanish mackerel are schooled up off the beach in 15-30’ of water. Trolling spoons behind planers or trolling weights has been the best way to put fish in the boat.
Schools of big drum are cruising the beachfront, and 5-6” Z-Man or Outer Banks Lure Co. soft plastics work great (on heavier jig heads).
Inshore, the citation class red drum can be hooked in the evenings while soaking cut mullet on ledges. Anglers looking for drum on the flats inside the inlet are finding some schools in the skinny water, with more over-slots than slot red drum.
Zach, of Oxford, NC, with a red drum caught in Hyde County using mullet on a jighead.
Les, of Fishing Unlimited, reports that anglers on the northern beaches are finding spot, sea mullet, pompano, bluefish, and spanish mackerel.
Pier anglers are seeing the same mix, in addition to king mackerel and the occasional cobia landed on live baits fished off the end.
Little Bridge anglers are catching spot, croakers, pinfish, bluefish, and scattered black drum, and those fishing around the Manns Harbor and Basnight bridges are landing sheepshead and black drum.
John, of Drumbeat Charters, reports that spanish mackerel action remains consistent right along the beach. Schools of false albacore are also showing along the beaches, and anglers are sight‑casting jigs to both species.
The nearshore mahi bite has picked up, with catches coming from inside 10 miles.
Offshore trips are focused on billfish, with sailfish and blue marlin making up most of the release flags.
Anglers are still hoping for tuna to push back through as they migrate south.
Inshore, the big red drum bite has picked up, and most of this action has come from soaking baits in the sound.
Kenny, of Avalon Pier, reports that anglers have been enjoying a good bite on spanish mackerel and bluefish while sight-casting Gotcha plugs or diamond jigs.
Bottom fishing has been somewhat successful, made up mostly of a summer mix of croakers and (occasionally) some spots.
Landon Woodard with a rainbow runner caught 40 miles offshore of Oregon Inlet while sight casting a custom-tied Fish Casket Lures jig around mahi.
Jim, of Nags Head Pier, reports that anglers are having a lot of success casting jigs to schools of bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishing is a bit slow, but the best bite has been live baits for flounder.
Jack, of Afishionado Charters, reports that recent runs offshore have produced big days of billfish action. Plenty of bait is around, and smaller baits paired with circle hooks are drawing steady hookups in the good water conditions. A stretch of northeast wind would help keep this billfish bite rolling.
Anglers are looking for a more consistent mahi push as these fish move back south. There’s also hope for tuna to move in with the mahi, though the fall tuna bite has been tough in recent years.
McKayla, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that boats are seeing solid billfish action, with release flags for blue marlin, sailfish, and white marlin.
Mahi are showing in numbers on the docks, with blackfin tuna, wahoo, and tilefish also in the mix.
There are still good‑sized yellowfin tuna offshore. They aren’t found on every trip, but the quality has been strong when anglers locate them.
Nearshore trips are producing great spanish mackerel fishing. They’re also finding numerous sharks.
Inshore anglers are having success catching red drum.
Meredith, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that boats have enjoyed strong billfish action, especially with sailfish. Offshore anglers are also finding mahi, tilefish, and big black sea bass.
Nearshore trips are producing good numbers of spanish mackerel.
Paul, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are catching bluefish and spanish mackerel on casting jigs (such as Stingsilvers) thrown around bait and surface‑feeding activity.
Bottom fishing is producing croakers, sea mullet, spots, and pompano.
Anglers can catch flounder by casting Gulp baits on jig heads in the surf.
Sound anglers are finding red drum, a few speckled trout, and flounder, with live or fresh cut baits being the top options.
Offshore anglers are seeing strong billfish action and some mahi.
