Hatteras/Ocracoke – July 2025
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf anglers are having success hooking sea mullet, croakers, and bunches of bluefish.
In the sound, anglers are catching red drum on the flats, especially closer to the inlets.
Some speckled trout are mixed in, also on the flats and nearby ledges. Topwater plugs and soft plastics under popping corks will be great options in targeting both species.
Bluefish are anywhere you find deeper channels or holes.
Ryan, of Reel Em In Charters, reports that soundside action behind Hatteras is producing loads of bluefish (to 30”) by sight-casting Gotcha lures, Johnson gold spoons, or topwater plugs into surface-feeding schools. Cut mullet is also getting strikes in deeper areas when the fish aren’t on top.
Speckled trout (to 20”+) are mixed in as bycatch when targeting the bluefish.
While not as numerous as usual, red drum are scattered around, and a bottom-rigged bait can produce some bites.
Sheepshead (2-3 lb. range) are staged up around structure such as pilings, duck blinds, and channel markers.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is picking up. Gotcha plugs are the top lure for them.
Bottom fishing anglers are catching sea mullet, croakers, spots, and some sharks.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that bottom fishing has been producing plenty of croaker, along with a few sea mullet and some pompano.
Good water conditions around Buxton and Hatteras have led to a healthy pompano bite.
Bluefish are being caught up and down the island.
Night-time fishing is seeing some bluefish (to 36”), puppy drum, and large speckled trout (to 32”).
Fred Dorman, of PA, caught this 11 lb. striped bass in Dare County using a Z-Man soft plastic.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that bottom rigs tipped with shrimp or bait strips are producing spot, croakers, and sea mullet.
There has been a consistent bite from spanish mackerel as they school up off the beach. The spanish are also occasionally running by the pier for anglers rigged with Gotcha plugs.
A few small cobia have been hooked by pier anglers.
Luke, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that bottom fishing anglers are catching sea mullet and the occasional pompano using a variety of baits that include shrimp, sand fleas, and artificial bait strips.
Pompano fishing, in particular, should improve as water conditions improve.
Before the crowds arrive, early morning anglers are catching bluefish and spanish mackerel by casting jigs in the Buxton area.
Cut baits are producing the occasional puppy drum and some sharks.
Back in the sound, puppy drum and bluefish are being caught on both cut baits and artificials.
Some speckled trout are hitting the same offerings, but there haven’t been too many trout considering it’s moving into the hottest months when they seek deeper and cooler water.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore anglers are finding mahi and blackfin tuna as both species push into the area.
For billfish anglers, both blue and white marlin are out deep.
Amberjacks are plentiful on the nearshore reefs.
Just off the beach are schools of spanish mackerel and a few scattered cobia.
Inshore anglers are catching red drum and bluefish from the inlets back onto the shallow flats. These areas are also producing flounder.
Surf anglers are finding a mix of sea mullet, croakers, and bluefish.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that anglers are seeing an excellent topwater bite from good-sized bluefish, with some red drum also in the mix.
The speckled trout action has been picking up, and these specks are mainly striking at Z-Man soft plastic paddle tails on 1/4 oz. jig heads.
Cut bait fishing in deeper holes near the inlets is producing some cobia.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the Hatteras mahi bite has flipped on when running trolling spreads or bailing fish from under floating debris. While running lures, blue/white or pink skirts rigged with ballyhoo have been some of the first offerings that the mahi will hit. Overall, the action is a nice mix of gaffer and bailer-sized fish.
There are also some billfish hookups. Though numbers in June weren’t quite what the area has seen in past years, the offshore fleet expects to see the action improve as water temperatures continue to warm up.
Randy Braswell, of Fairview, caught this bluefish at the sound end of Hatteras Island on cut mullet.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Sportfishing Charters, reports that trolling smaller, naked or skirted “dink” ballyhoo has been producing both mahi and blackfin tuna.
Mahi fishing overall has been decent when the weather has cooperated, but moving forward, finding some weeds or floating debris will be key in locating these fish as they become more scattered. Pitch rods with cut bait works well if targeting a grass patty or debris.
Anglers have been catching some tilefish when choosing to take a break from trolling and bottom fish.
Boats working out deep are catching fairly good numbers of billfish, both blue and white marlin.
Jeremy, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf anglers are catching plenty of bluefish in the area. Most of the action is coming with fresh cut baits, which are also producing scattered red drum.
Throwback flounder are showing up.
At times, schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish are pushed in close and feeding on the surface for anglers looking to sight-cast jigs into the feeding frenzies.
In the sound, red drum and some speckled trout are being caught on flats and ledges with smaller paddle tail soft plastics under popping corks.
