Hatteras/Ocracoke – March 2024
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers getting out on the beaches have picked away at some black drum, sea mullet, and scattered puppy drum all winter long.
As the area slides towards the early spring, the surf zone targets mostly remain the same, with pufferfish also being a March arrival. These fish are best caught with bloodworms, shrimp, squid, or Fishbites artificial bait strips in “bloodworm” flavor.
If the area starts to see some warm water move in, there could be an early season of the bigger reds down around the Point.
Anglers out in the backwaters are still having plenty of success catching redfish and speckled trout. In these winter months, anglers do well riding across the sound and fishing mainland creeks around Engelhard.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers getting out on the sand to wet a line have been able to find scattered black drum, dogfish sharks, and skates.
Everyone is keeping an eye on water temperatures over the coming weeks. As temperatures start trending up, better numbers of black drum will show up along the beach, with sea mullet also moving in, too.
Typically, by the end of March, the area is also seeing some puppy drum, croakers, and even spot.
Genevieve Farlow, of Charlotte, caught this black drum in the surf off Cape Point in Buxton using live shrimp.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that anglers looking to find some action in this first part of the year have been able to catch a few black drum from the surf.
Puppy drum should start mixing into the action at any time over the coming weeks.
Later in March, the area should see sea mullet and pufferfish showing up. Both species will be staged in the deeper holes between the shoreline and first sandbar, and they’ll be feeding on smaller cut shrimp, bloodworms, or Fishbites artificial bait strips.
Kristie, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that anglers have been able to find some action when getting out on the beaches. Efforts with bottom-rigged cut shrimp is producing a few black drum and the scattered red drum.
Though they may not be everyone’s favorite target, dogfish sharks hang around all winter and do provide some fun battles for those looking to hook into something.
Moving into March, the area really starts looking for the water temperatures to begin slowly moving up. As this happens, sea mullet will start showing up on our beaches.
Red drum also start becoming more plentiful, with the chance of the bigger drum showing up around the Point. Anglers out there will also start catching the bigger sharks that move in with the reds.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that anglers able to get offshore have still been finding bluefin tuna.
Moving into March, trips will also start seeing decent numbers of blackfin tuna caught. March can be a windy month, so taking advantage of short weather windows is key.
Some king mackerel will also start moving back in as these water temperatures slide back up.
Anglers looking to hook something from the surf can expect to see some black drum action.
Capt. Jamie Fajardo and Braelynn VanDyke, of Avon, caught this bluefish from the surf of their hometown using cut mullet.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that moving into early spring, the fishing action is starting to pick up. Anglers can begin finding some drum while fishing cut mullet around the inlet.
Speckled trout will start to become more active, and they’ll mostly be striking at soft plastics and grubs fished under popping cork setups. Having 18” or so of leader between the bait and cork should keep your offerings deeper to where these trout will be holding.
Early spring also brings great fishing to the rivers on the west side of the sound. Shad are the first targets, as they migrate into the area to spawn. Right behind the shad are striped bass, and both of these species provide the opportunity to have some of the best catches, in terms of numbers, of any species on our coastline.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers looking to get back out on the water after a long winter find it a tough battle against the rough conditions the area sees in February and early March. Moving into mid- to late-March, there tends to be more days with favorable offshore conditions.
The good news is that the fish will be ready when the anglers get there, as blackfin tuna action is strong in these cooler months.
Some nice-sized wahoo are also mixed in out along the break.
Depending on how weather patterns and water temperatures line up, there is the possibility of seeing scattered dolphin as they start their migration up from the south.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that anglers have been able to catch all the bluefins they want in the 100-200 lb. class range.
Some blackfin and yellowfin tuna are mixed in, and all three tuna species are being caught around that first color-change offshore.
Moving into late March, look for the bluefins to start making their way out and more yellowfins and blackfins arriving.
