Hatteras/Ocracoke – November 2025
Jeremy, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers have started catching plenty of nice-sized bluefish (to 20”+), and red drum fishing has been excellent all month, with big bulls (to 44”) leading the charge.
Smaller bottom rigs baited with shrimp are producing sea mullet, especially with the help of west winds.
In the sound, speckled trout fishing is picking up, with puppy drum and bluefish in the mix.
Mark, of Reel Em In Charters, reports that red drum fishing from the beach has been the hot bite all fall, with both strong numbers and citation-sized fish being caught on fresh cut mullet. Slot-sized reds are scattered in smaller schools, and this makes them easier to locate. Moving further into fall, anglers will shift focus to topwater action for speckled trout.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that red drum have been the top target for anglers. As the weather settles down, more slot fish will become the common catch, with some bigger ones still mixed in. During stretches of northeast winds, though, the focus is on targeting bull drum (44”+).
Other catches have made for great mixed bags, including gray trout, bluefish, sheepshead, speckled trout, spot, sea mullet, and black drum. This is classic fall fishing—everything’s biting, the weather is improving, and it’s a great time to be on the water.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are finding sea mullet, puppy drum, and some solid-sized bluefish being caught up and down the beach.
Spot, croaker, and the occasional speckled trout are rounding out the surf action.
Big red drum (to 44”+) continue to show up, and grabbing some fresh mullet remains the best bait for targeting them.
Brayden Lineberger, of Garner, found this red drum near Ocracoke using a crab.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that it’s been an epic couple of weeks for red drum fishing. Despite challenging weather, the northeast blows have helped push big bull drum onto the beach, and anglers have had a ton of success landing citation-class fish on larger chunk baits.
Bottom fishing closer to shore has also been productive, with catches of puppy drum, bluefish, croakers, spot, and sea mullet.
Larry, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that smaller bottom rig setups have been producing sea mullet, spots, and a few pufferfish from the sand.
Bluefish are all over the place, with catches coming from up and down the entire island.
On any given day, anglers are still catching some of the bigger bull red drum from both the surf and piers.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore trips are still producing solid numbers of mahi, with billfish and blackfin tuna mixed in. Cooling water temperatures are also starting to bring in some big wahoo.
Inshore anglers are catching a mix of sheepshead, bluefish, speckled trout, and red drum, with some bigger bulls still around.
Surf anglers are finding a mixed bag of puppy drum, bull reds, sea mullet, spot, and nice-sized bluefish.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that red drum fishing has been excellent. A run of northeast winds fired up the bite, with fresh cut mullet and menhaden producing best. Most of the fish have been slot-sized, with a few bigger drum mixed in. Productive areas include windward-facing shoal edges and shallow grass flats in the 1-2’ range.
Around the inlet and just outside, anglers are finding plenty of good-sized bluefish (5-12 lbs.), with topwater plugs and jigs working well on surface-busting fish.
Sheepshead are being caught around buoys and structure throughout the sound, and gray trout are showing up near the sea wall.
Ron Howe, of Shallotte, pulled in this 50″ red drum on a cut mullet at Ramp 49 in Frisco.
Flounder are mostly gone, though a few big ones are still being landed.
Speckled trout will be the next target moving into November. The bite is just starting to pick up, though dirty water may be holding it back. Anglers should focus on deeper grass edges (4-6’) and cast paddle tail soft plastics on light jig heads.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that when brief weather openings have allowed trips offshore, anglers have found a few mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on offshore action as the weather stabilizes. Late fall promises big wahoo and blackfin tuna, along with whatever other late-season species the Gulf Stream has to offer.
Jackie, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers have been finding plenty of success catching red drum all up and down the island. The majority of the citation-class drum are being landed around South Point, Ramp 67, and Ramp 68.
Huge bluefish (25-30”) have been taking interest in cut baits, and smaller bottom rigs are producing sea mullet and some nice pompano.
Soundside anglers continue to find big drum while bait fishing, and those making it offshore are still seeing some dolphin in the mix.
