Hatteras/Ocracoke – July 2026
Fran, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf anglers have been catching sea mullet, croakers, bluefish, and the occasional puppy drum.
There are some sight-casting opportunities from the sand for bluefish and spanish mackerel, and the pompano bite should be picking up as we move further into summer.
Back in the sound, bluefish are plentiful, and the bigger blues are still around.
The puppy drum action is a bit scattered, though each week seems to be getting slightly better.
The occasional speckled trout is being caught, but only the occasional speckled trout.
Anglers fishing up on the Bonner Bridge Pier have been pulling sheepshead in from around the pilings.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been having a bunch of success sight-casting for bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishing efforts have been producing a mixed bag of croakers, sea mullet, spot, and bluefish.
A king mackerel was recently caught.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that the bottom fishing action from the surf has seen catches of sea mullet (to nearly 2 lbs.), croakers, and bluefish (to 22”+) up and down the beach.
A few pompano have been caught around Ramp 48 with Frank & Frans Sand Flea Imposter Rigs.
Some spanish mackerel are moving through the surf zone, with most catches coming from those out at the Point.
Anglers fishing back in the sound have been catching some puppy drum. They’re using fresh cut baits, and success has come from the shoreline, kayaks, and on boats.
A bunch of bluefish are also back in the sound.
Ron Howe, of Shallotte, reeled in this 98″ shark from the point at Cape Hatteras. The shark ate a mullet head.
Eric, of Avon Pier, reports that spanish mackerel are being caught from anglers fishing closer to the end.
A tarpon was caught and released.
Bottom fishing action is pumping out a wide variety of fish including croakers, spots, sea mullet, and bluefish.
Travis, of Citation Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing anglers have been seeing a blend of bottom species that includes sea mullet, croakers, and bluefish. A few pompano have also been hooked, and a standard two-hook, hi-lo rig has been the best setup for targeting any of the surf action.
Anglers have had some opportunities to throw Stingsilvers from the beach at schools of bluefish and spanish mackerel.
The soundside action is seeing a mix of speckled trout, red drum, and bluefish. Artificials such as gold spoons and a variety of soft plastics have been the top producing baits for those fishing from the shorelines, wading the flats, kayaking, or out in boats.
Butch, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that surf anglers are catching a mix of sea mullet, pompano, croakers, and bluefish.
There are also some opportunities to cast metal jigs to schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish that can be seen breaking the surface. Anglers looking for sight casting action should get out in the early mornings or late afternoons.
Steve Wright, of Wilmington, landed this black drum from the Ocracoke surf on a sand flea.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that schools of mahi have arrived in full force, with the fleet not only catching good numbers but also having plenty of gaffer-sized fish in the mix.
Blackfin tuna and the occasional wahoo are mixed in.
Billfishing has been excellent, with anglers seeing not only some big blue marlin, but sailfish and white marlin all crashing through the spreads.
Nearshore anglers have been catching spanish mackerel and bluefish, though any dirty water on the beach will slow the action down.
Some sheepshead are being caught both on the nearshore reefs and in the sound.
Inshore anglers are finding puppy drum action when working flats around the inlet.
Surf anglers are catching sea mullet, pompano, bluefish, and some spanish mackerel.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that the inshore bite has been really good, with anchoring up and fishing cut mullet on the bottom producing many 30-40” red drum. When the weather has been more favorable, anglers are also having success with topwater plugs.
Some speckled trout and a ton of bluefish are around, with both species more honed in on artificials.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the fleet saw a nice stretch of mahi fishing to kick off the season. The gaffer-sized dolphin action is starting to slow down, but plenty of school-sized fish are filling in behind them.
A few wahoo are making a modest appearance.
The billfish are here and in good numbers, with a mix of sailfish, blue marlin, and white marlin.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Charters, reports that the mahi fishing has been excellent. Anglers have been able to find pretty quick limits of gaffer and bailer-sized fish. The better trolling successes have come from a mixed variety of skirt colors and smaller “dink” ballyhoo (or cut bait fished on bailing rod setups).
The same smaller ballyhoo with skirt combo is also producing summertime blackfin tuna and scattered wahoo.
Once the meat fish are in the box, break out the big baits and lures and head out deep where the billfish bite has been strong.
Jackie, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf anglers have had a nice run on sea mullet, with a bunch of citations in the mix. Some big pompano (to 3 lbs.) have also been caught in the surf.
Bluefish are plentiful just about everywhere both surf and soundside, with some big choppers still hanging around.
Anglers fishing nearshore and inshore structure have been catching a bunch of sheepshead.
Back in the sounds, the citation-class red drum action is starting to pick up as these fish move in through the inlets.
A bunch of puppy drum and just over-slot drum are hanging around on the inshore flats.
