Hatteras/Ocracoke – April 2026
Jeremy, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the surf remains slow with water temperatures still hovering in the low‑ to mid‑50s. Plenty of dogfish sharks are around to keep anglers busy, but the fishing action should improve significantly in April. Sea mullet and puppy drum are the typical early‑spring arrivals, and shrimp or freshly cast‑netted bait from the sound will be the top options.
There isn’t much life in the sound just yet either. The last warm front and sunny stretch jumped the water temperatures quickly, but those temps dropped right back down with the next cold front. Soon, though, species such as red drum, speckled trout, and bluefish will all be part of the regular catch.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that the fishing action continues to be a little slow to get going as we move into April. However, more warm fronts with southwest winds and some good catches of puppy drum and bluefish on Ocracoke Island suggest that the Hatteras Island bite could really start turning on.
For now, dogfish sharks are keeping anglers busy, with a few puppy drum and black drum mixed in.
Kara, of Red Drum Tackle, reports that water temperatures along the beach remain on the colder side, and dogfish sharks are still making up much of the action.
Anglers are starting to see some black drum and more puppy drum mixing in. Shrimp has been the best bait option for all the surf action.
There hasn’t been much happening back in the sound yet. Red drum are usually the first to arrive, and the area is hoping to see better numbers by the end of April.
Butch, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that while the weather has improved, water temperatures are still too low for the action to really fire off. Anglers taking advantage of days with comfortable conditions are at least finding dogfish sharks and some black drum around, and they’re looking forward to seeing puppy drum and sea mullet arriving shortly.
Ben Joseph, of Fuquay Varina, reeled in this red drum from the surf at Cape Lookout. He was using a jumbo shrimp as bait.
Lee, of Teach’s Lair, reports that not much has changed on the offshore front, with water temperatures still running low. For anglers targeting bluefin tuna, the colder water temps is actually good news, as bluefins are staying in the area and remain the primary bite.
Warmer weather and steadier winds should get more boats offshore, and that will likely bring catches of wahoo, blackfin tuna, and a few king mackerel.
Surf action on the island has also been slow, but that could shift quickly. Puppy drum, black drum, and sea mullet are all expected to start showing up anytime in April.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that while many anglers are waiting for beachfront water temperatures to climb, the spectacular striped bass fishing in the mainland rivers has been the main draw. This year’s spawning run is shaping up to be phenomenal based on the numbers already being caught in the lower Roanoke River. This action only improves as the water warms, pushing fish upriver and making their feeding patterns more aggressive.
Back at the beach, schools of bluefish will be among the first arrivals as we move into spring. Around the same time, it’s worth breaking out the sight‑casting gear for red drum.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that a stretch of warm weather brought some excitement for the coming spring season. With sound temperatures making a nice jump, the good news is that red drum are starting to move into the area around Ocracoke, which means anglers should begin seeing them inside behind Hatteras as conditions continue to improve.
There haven’t been any big nearshore schools of citation‑class reds, but April is typically when they make their first strong push.
Bluefish should also be showing up soon, especially in the inlets.
Sarah Mitchell, of VA, landed this yellowfin tuna offshore of Oregon Inlet trolling a ballyhoo. She was fishing with Capt. Jack Graham of Afishionado Charters.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the bluefin tuna bite remains the top option for anglers looking to get out. At this later stage in the season, most are targeting the smaller, keeper‑class fish with topwater plugs or by trolling ballyhoo, though there are still plenty of big ones around.
King mackerel numbers are picking up as these fish work their way into the area.
There hasn’t been any sign of yellowfin tuna yet, though given the tough winter, that isn’t too surprising.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Charters, reports that warmer weather has finally arrived, but anglers are still primarily focused on bluefin tuna. Both the trolling and topwater bites are producing, with fish ranging from keeper‑class all the way up to giants over 500 lbs.
Some king mackerel have also begun making a showing.
Jackie, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf fishing has really turned on recently. What began with the first slot and citation‑class red drum has quickly grown into multiple large drum in the 36‑40” range, along with plenty of puppy drum being caught across the island.
Anglers fishing cut shrimp are also landing some black drum.
Bluefish in the 20‑22” range have started to show up as well, and they’re coming from both the surf and inside the inlets.
