Hatteras/Ocracoke – August 2026
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf anglers are seeing a good mix of the standard summertime species, including sea mullet, bluefish, croakers, and some pompano.
Soundside anglers are catching puppy drum and the occasional speckled trout. Bluefish have also been plentiful in the sound.
Sheepshead are around hard structure and bridges in the sound and around the inlet, with a few also showing up occasionally in the surf.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that summertime bottom fishing efforts are seeing that typical mix of croakers, sea mullet, sheepshead, flounder, and the occasional spadefish.
Sight casting anglers have had some success throwing to roaming schools of spanish mackerel, with the early or late hours having the best action.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers have been catching sea mullet, pompano, bluefish, sharks, flounder, and croakers.
There have also been some sight-casting opportunities for spanish mackerel from the beachfront.
Soundside fishing seems to be coming alive, with red drum being caught on fresh cut mullet and a bunch of bluefish scattered all over.
Ashby Johnson, of St. Petersburg, FL, landed this red drum near Ocracoke on cut mullet. He was fishing with Capt. Grey Davis of Hyde Guides.
Travis, of Citation Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers bottom fishing in the surf with the classic double-drop rigs are producing a mixed bag of spot, gray trout, croakers, and sea mullet.
Good catches of pompano are mixed in the action.
Some are having success sight-casting to schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish from the beach. A good tip for this bite is to be on the sand either early in the morning or in the early evening.
Soundside efforts are producing a mix of puppy drum and bluefish. The fish are responding to both natural baits (cut or live) and artificials pretty equally.
Anglers hope to see the speckled trout bite pick up, but currently it continues to be a tough year for the specks.
Eric, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers have been catching some spanish mackerel and bluefish while sight-casting plugs to bait balls and surface-feeding action.
Bottom fishing efforts are producing a mix of spots and bluefish.
A tarpon was recently released.
Kristie, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that surf anglers are finding a mixed bag of sea mullet, croakers, sharks, and scattered pompano.
Anglers have also been catching some spanish mackerel from the surf on the beaches above the Point.
Soundside puppy drum action has been spotty for those fishing from the shoreline or wading the flats.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the offshore boats have stayed on the mahi and blackfin tuna, and a few wahoo are starting to mix in.
The inshore trips are catching plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish, and some red drum.
Surf fishing is producing a mixed bag of bluefish, spanish mackerel, sea mullet, sharks, rays, and pompano.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that anglers have had some success throwing topwater plugs and Z-Man paddle tail soft plastics to roaming schools of bluefish.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been good on days when the winds are lighter and allow for sight-casting opportunities.
When the winds are up, anglers are breaking out the cut bait and targeting red drum.
Cannon Crooks, of Hickory, reeled in this hammerhead shark from the Cape Hatteras surf on a mullet head.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that anglers are sight-casting topwater plugs to a 3+ lb. class of bluefish first thing in the morning.
Once the sun is up, it’s time to switch gears and head over to the inlet and start bait fishing.
Back on the grass flats, a few puppy drum are around. The flats have been pretty spotty, though, with speckled trout still being basically non-existent.
Moving into August, the sheepshead bite will pop back up, mostly around structure and ARs in the sound. These fish will be in the 3-5 lb. range at first.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that anglers have been catching bluefish (4 lb. range) both sight-casting in the inlet and trolling just off the beach.
Spanish mackerel (14-20” range) are being caught off the beach by trolling Clarkspoons.
Grey trout are staged up in some of the deeper channels around the inlet, and they’re hitting jigged paddle tails.
Anglers are bait fishing in the inlet and hoping to stumble onto some tarpon that have been in the area or bull red drum as they start moving in. Schools of the big drum have been feeding further into the sound and seen busting bait on the surface.
When the winds are up (which has been common), fishing cut bait on the grass flats or shoals has been producing slot-sized redfish and the occasional big drum.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the new bonus to offshore trips has been the arrival of a good class of wahoo (to 42 lbs.).
Anglers have also been catching some sailfish, with blue and white marlin around, too.
The spread can vary, but overall it’s tough to beat a blue/white patterned Sea Witch and ballyhoo combo.
Zane, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf fishing anglers are seeing a mixed bag of sea mullet, pompano, and bluefish.
The occasional puppy drum is mixed in, with most being caught by anglers on the beach early.
Back in the sounds, schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish are out around the inlet.
Some bull drum are being caught by anglers bait fishing.
