Hatteras/Ocracoke – May 2025
Riley, of Hatteras Jack, reports that bluefish are starting to show up with consistency both in the surf and back in the sounds. Surf anglers are having success with cut baits and (sometimes) Stingsilvers, while the soundside fish are hitting artificials.
Cut shrimp is being used for a mix of sea mullet and blow toads in the bottom fishing action.
The red drum bite has been picking up both in the surf and sound. The action is not steady, but it will be improving as water temperatures warm up. A recent run of big drum from both the surf and pier was a good sign of conditions changing for the better.
Mark, of Reel Em In Charters, reports that inshore anglers have been finding schools of bluefish (12-20” range). Metal jigs are great for casting to surface-feeding schools, but fishing cut baits on the bottom will also find bites.
Slot-sized red drum fishing is picking up when using Carolina-rigged cut mullet. For now, natural bait has been best, with very little attention being given to artificials.
Big sheepshead are being caught nearshore along the southern end of the island. These fish will work their way inshore as water temperatures rise.
Brad, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are seeing a few bluefish move in as temperatures start to warm up.
Blow toads are feeding on cut shrimp.
Strong NE winds brought a nice run of bigger red drum. Pier anglers were seeing up to 50 fish a day, with most being yearlings and over-slots (to 47”).
Ron Howe, of Shallotte, landed this bull red drum in the surf near Ramp #67 on Ocracoke using a chunk of cut mullet.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers have been catching red drum (to 38”) with fresh mullet out along the beachfront.
Occasionally, the Point has been seeing runs of large red drum at night, and several sharks are being caught by anglers targeting them with larger cut baits.
Anglers fishing cut shrimp on bottom rigs have been finding sea mullet, blow toads, and a few black drum.
The bluefish action has picked up considerably, with anglers seeing well into double digit catches and a bigger class of fish mixing in.
Larry, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that surf anglers are having a lot of success on the southern end of the island (from Buxton on down). Puppy drum are almost everywhere, with a couple runs of big drum out at the Point.
Anglers with smaller double-drop rigs and shrimp are catching sea mullet.
Bluefish are being caught with both cut baits and casting metals.
Lee, of Teach’s Lair, reports that surf anglers are catching bluefish, sea mullet, and some scattered blowfish.
Red drum, from puppies to over-slot, are being caught from the beach as well.
Inshore anglers are seeing increasing numbers of puppy drum while sight fishing with artificials up on the flats.
Bluefish have made a good showing.
Anglers are finding some sheepshead (to 10 lbs.) at some of the inshore wrecks.
Offshore anglers are pulling in decent numbers of blackfin tuna.
The offshore boats hope to see some of the first dolphin of the year being caught in May, with blue marlin usually moving in right behind them.
Greg Schmick, of Jacksonville, with a 23.5″ speckled trout he caught on a 3JD lure in the Neuse River. He was fishing with Capt. Brad Smith of Gunny B Outdoors.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that red drum action is picking up, with anglers finding nice-sized slot to over-slot fish (to 35”) while dropping cut baits in the inlet.
Some large bluefish (5-10 lb. range) are out along the beaches and moving into the inlet. Stingsilvers and heavier leaders have been used to target the blues.
Sheepshead are moving in around the ocean buoys and inshore wrecks.
Inshore anglers will find some catch-and-release action on speckled trout.
Heading into May, anglers look forward to some calmer days when they will be able to target the big drum out around the shoals. For now, winds have made spotting the fish difficult.
The first cobia should be showing up in May.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that anglers getting the chance to run offshore are focused on the blackfin tuna bite. Blackfin production has been up and down, but the fleet has bluefins and scattered yellowfins around to make up for it.
Water temperatures will be swinging up quickly in the coming weeks, and this undoubtedly flips a switch in the area. Anglers have already seen changes, with recent trips finding some bailer dolphin around floating debris. The larger “gaffer” sized fish should be showing up any time now.
Tim, of Rabid Tuna Sportfishing Charters, reports that trips are catching blackfin tuna, wahoo, and the occasional yellowfin tuna.
Looking into May, the area usually sees some better fishing conditions, and May is also the “gaffer” dolphin month. Smaller ballyhoo with skirts in white, white/green, and green/yellow patterns are some of the primary baits to have in the spread.
Jeremy, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports impressive red drum action over the past couple of weeks. Anglers are seeing lots of yearlings being caught alongside the occasional citation-class fish. Fishing in the evenings has been best; however, this could be because night is when most anglers are putting in the time.
A lot of bluefish are around in all sizes (from 14-33”). Anglers are having success fishing both cut baits and spoons, such as Kastmasters or Hopkins.
Soundside anglers are catching some drum in the inlet.
Around the inshore structures, sheepshead and black drum have been caught with shrimp.
