Hatteras/Ocracoke – March 2026
Riley, of Hatteras Jack, reports that bluefin tuna for the offshore crowd has been the top bite recently, and the action doesn’t seem to be slowing down out there anytime too soon.
Out in the surf, the puppy drum action should be picking up, with the smaller species (whiting, pufferfish, and croakers) not too far behind. With the cold-water temperatures, cut shrimp will probably be best for all of these species.
Back in the sound, some puppy drum should begin pushing in from the ocean, and anglers may start seeing some speckled trout as they come back from their wintering areas.
Rodanthe Pier was closed at the time of reports.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that fishing efforts and production have been basically nonexistent with the really cold winter pushing water temperatures way down. The arrival of sea mullet and bluefish will likely be the first signs of life.
Better catches of scattered puppy drum should appear as these fish begin moving up and down the beaches in search of food, but anglers won’t see any bigger drum until later in the spring.
Avon Pier was closed at the time of reports.
Brent Crenshaw, of Midland, NC, with a 50″ red drum pulled from the Hatteras surf at Ramp 43 using a peice of whiting.
Butch, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that as temperatures start to slowly warm up, anglers getting out to wet a line will be able to catch a few sea mullet, puppy drum, and the occasional black drum.
For this early spring fishing, anglers will do best by soaking frozen shrimp on bottom rigs. Cut mullet also works, but the shrimp really gives anglers the best chance to catch any of the species that will be around during this time of year.
Kara, of Red Drum Tackle, reports that anglers getting out on the beaches have been able to find some puppy drum action around Ramp 55 with light sinkers and cut shrimp.
If the weather sticks to a generally mild pattern, March can see a lot of changes across the island. Puppy drum should only get better, with the bottom‑fishing crowd also finding a variety of pufferfish and sea mullet mixed in.
In the sounds, red drum should start to show back up, with some catch‑and‑release speckled trout mixed in.
Offshore, the bluefin tuna bite has kept on a strong course, and that likely will continue well into the coming weeks with water temperatures where they are.
Lee, of Teach’s Lair, reports that weather has hampered most of the offshore efforts, but those grabbing a window are continuing to find success catching bluefin tuna. A lot of giants are still around, with some recreational keepers mixed in.
Moving into the next month, offshore boats anticipate seeing more blackfin tuna around, as well as an increased possibility of wahoo.
The surf action is basically shut down with water temperatures so low. Even the dogfish sharks haven’t been around as much.
The next change anglers expect to see from the beaches is puppy drum beginning to make a scattered showing, with some black drum also mixed in.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that after an arctic winter, fishing is finally starting to heat up in the rivers to the west of the sound, with shad beginning to show up for their annual spring spawn. This is a great opportunity to throw small jigs with grub tails on ultra‑light tackle to some fun‑fighting fish.
Along with the shad, anglers are starting to gear up for the striped bass run in the river. A variety of soft plastic jigs or live bait will be the top bait options.
Closer to home, local anglers look forward to temperatures warming up and bringing some red drum back, with the most excitement focused on the schools of big drum showing up off the beaches and in the inlet to kick off the year’s sight‑casting action, with cut bait being best in the inlet or when conditions aren’t cooperative.
Bluefish will also be moving in right around this same time.
Brandon Maceachran, landed this bluefin tuna on a naked ballyhoo in 30 fathoms of 68 degree water offshore of Hatteras. He was fishing with Capt. Timothy Quigley of Rabid Tuna Sportfishing.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that conditions across the area are really cold coming off a hard winter, and there are currently very few signs of life in the area.
The first species that local anglers will be looking for are schools of slot and just‑over‑slot fish to start working into the inlets and setting up on flats inside. These reds will use the shallows to warm up on the calm and sunny days.
Around this same time, the area also typically starts seeing some bluefish moving into the inlet.
Not too long after, local anglers will be watching for schools of trophy‑class red drum to be off the beaches. This is mainly a sight‑casting bite utilizing big bucktails with soft plastic trailers.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the area is seeing another great year for bluefin tuna. Anglers are having success with big fish (and some recreational keepers) while trolling, jigging, and throwing topwater popper plugs. With water temperatures where they stand, these fish will likely be here for a bit longer.
Looking into March, anglers will start to turn their attention more toward the blackfin tuna. Some blackfins are currently mixed in with the bluefins, and the blackfin numbers only pick up moving into spring.
Yellowfin tuna could start showing up as soon as the middle to end of March.
Currently, there have been some nice catches of king mackerel—both in size and numbers—from the crowd targeting them.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Charters, reports that bluefin tuna is the main bite right now. With water temperatures where they sit, these fish won’t be in a hurry to move on, so anglers should have plenty of opportunities in March to catch a weather window and find a keeper fish.
As temperatures eventually start to warm up, the offshore fleet will begin finding some blackfin tuna and wahoo.
Tradewinds Tackle was closed at the time of reports.
