Hatteras/Ocracoke – June 2026
Tom, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the surf action is seeing some bigger bluefish (to 30”+) hitting both casting metals and cut baits.
Sea mullet fishing has been steady on sand fleas, Fishbites, and/or shrimp.
Red drum are still around, though the unstable weather has created spotty action.
Some spanish mackerel are starting to show up on the piers, but most of the better action is south of the Point.
Anglers back in the sound are finding bluefish to be the most reliable target.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that the pier has seen quite the mixed bag recently, with catches including spot, sea mullet, gray trout, and a couple throwback flounder.
Red drum action has been a little slow, with only the occasional yearling drum around.
Bluefish numbers have been picking up for anglers looking to cast jigs.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers have been catching good numbers of bluefish (to 34”) up and down the beaches.
Bottom fishing with fresh shrimp has been producing some nice-sized sea mullet.
A few big black drum (up to 48”) have been caught on bottom rigs and bits of cut crab.
Red drum fishing has been pretty good for anglers using fresh mullet. Catches include fish up to 49.5” coming from the southern facing beaches up to the Point.
In the sound, puppy drum and plenty of bluefish are moving into the inlets and setting up over nearby flats.
Joseph, of Hertford, NC, reeled in this bluefish from the Rodanthe surf. The fish bit a fresh mullet.
Eric, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers have done well targeting sea mullet with cut shrimp.
A few red drum are being caught by fishing the deeper sloughs closer to the beach.
Luke, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that the surf action has seen good-sized bluefish all over the place, and the spanish mackerel are starting to mix in.
Anglers fishing with sand fleas or small pieces of cut shrimp are catching sea mullet.
Red drum action is getting better, with most of the catches being a nice class of upper and just over-slot fish (to 30”).
A few pompano have started to show up for anglers fishing around the Ramp 55 area.
Soundside fishing has been showing signs of life, with some red drum action for anglers fishing flats and grass banks. A couple speckled trout have been caught in the sound, too.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the mahi are making a great showing. A bunch of gaffer-sized fish are mixed in with the strong numbers of fish.
The blackfin tuna bite has been pretty good, with some trips seeing double digit numbers.
Wahoo are around as well.
Nearshore, trophy red drum action has been happening for anglers sight-casting bucktails, and cobia are showing up.
Lyla Buffington, of Elon, caught this citation red drum from the Ocracoke surf on cut mullet.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that the topwater action for big bluefish in the sound has been excellent.
The red drum bite is finally picking up inside as fish push in from the ocean. Most of the success is coming by drifting the flats and throwing gold spoons or soaking cut bait.
Off the beach, spanish mackerel have been moving in in numbers, with both trolling and sight-casting having their times of success.
Cobia are starting to show up off the beaches in their migration.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that anglers have had a great time sight-casting topwater plugs to big bluefish in the inlet.
The sheepshead fishing is strong, with anglers finding numbers of fish by targeting structure in the inlet area and on nearshore wrecks.
Spanish mackerel and false albacore can be found in the inlet while sight casting soft plastics.
Plenty of citation-class red drum are schooled up in the hook, with bucktails being the best approach.
The puppy drum action is picking up in the sound, with fish on the flats hitting gold spoons.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that recent trips have been producing mostly scattered action on blackfin tuna and dolphin, with the occasional wahoo mixed in.
Anglers are looking forward to those big waves of gaffer dolphin showing up.
The billfish are moving in, with anglers already seeing blues, whites, and sailfish.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Charters, reports that anglers have seen some good catches of mahi (into double digits). The best tactic for the mahi is to target the weed lines, with smaller “dink” ballyhoo putting more fish in the boat. Mixed in the offshore bite are blackfin tuna and a few wahoo.
With the mahi’s arrival, blue marlin are showing in better numbers out deep.
Dropping to the bottom over deeper structure is producing triggerfish and vermilion snapper.
Nate, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf anglers continue to catch a bunch of big bluefish on both metal jigs and cut bait.
Catches of big red drum are still coming from off the beach, with most anglers having success using fresh cut bait.
Black drum and some pompano are mixing in the beachfront action, with sand fleas working great for both species.
Back in the sound, the action is starting to come alive as puppy drum keep pushing in and staging up on flats and along grass lines.
A lot of bluefish are in the sound, and they will hit just about anything thrown their way.
