Hatteras/Ocracoke – October 2026
Eric, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers have had a bunch of success sight-casting jigs and Gotcha plugs to spanish mackerel and bluefish. The action from both species on the local piers has been best, with some action from the sand, such as Ramps 25 and 27 areas.
Anglers bottom fishing from the surf are having a lot of success catching sea mullet and pompano, especially in the Buxton area.
The red drum action is picking up on the southern beaches, with a mix of all sizes being caught. Soundside, anglers are seeing a mix of puppy drum, bluefish, and the occasional speckled trout.
Debbie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have found that the spanish mackerel and bluefish action has been good. This is primarily a sight-casting bite, and the top producer has been Gotcha plugs.
A couple jack crevalle have come over the planks.
Bottom fishing has produced black drum, spot, and flounder.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers have been catching a mix of bluefish, spanish mackerel, sea mullet, black drum, and some smaller pompano.
Back in the sounds, that big trophy drum bite is going on, with some fish to 44”.
Slot and over-slot red drum (24-33”) and bluefish are up on the shallower soundside flats and banks.
A bunch of sheepshead are still being caught at the Oregon Inlet Bridge and other inshore structures behind the island.
Grady Freeman, of Advance, caught this red drum at the mouth of the Neuse River near Oriental on cut mullet. He was fishing with Capt. Matt Deaton of Down East Guide Service.
Aiden, of Citation Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers on the local piers have been seeing a good red drum bite, especially with a NE blow.
The spanish mackerel action has slowed down with dirty water, but anglers are hopeful for another couple weeks of targeting them when the water is clean.
Anglers from the surf are seeing some red drum, with over-slot fish (from 30”+) mixed in with smaller reds.
Pompano are around, when the beaches have the clear water conditions that pompano like.
Soundside, speckled trout are starting to show up. Anglers looking to target the specks will do best with soft plastics rigged under popping corks.
Chris, of Avon Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish have been the main target for pier anglers.
A false albacore was recently landed and hopefully signals more to come.
Bottom fishing has been steady, with mostly a mix of spot, drum, sea mullet, and pompano.
Kristie, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that anglers have had success sight casing to spanish mackerel and bluefish right off the beach. Pompano are coming in for those bottom fishing in the wash.
There hasn’t really been anything major happening in the sound, other than the occasional red drum, trout, bluefish, and sheepshead.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore anglers are finding action with mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and the occasional yellowfin tuna.
The billfish bite has been really good.
Inshore boats have been crushing the red drum as temperatures start to cool down in the sound.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and (finally) some speckled trout are also in the inshore mix.
Many boats landed keeper flounder during the short season, and anglers fishing from the beaches found quite a few citation-sized flatfish.
Solid catches of spanish mackerel and bluefish are coming from the sand and just off the beach.
Bottom fishing from the surf has been producing sea mullet and some flounder.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that speckled trout are making a showing inshore now that water temperatures are finally cooling down. The best tactic has been throwing a variety of artificials.
Anglers have been successful outside the inlet targeting nearshore cobia as these fish work their way out of the Chesapeake Bay and head south. This cobia bite will likely continue until around the first week of October.
While off the beach, anglers are also finding plenty of bluefish, with spanish mackerel also in the mix.
Nate, of Washington, NC, with a 25.5″ speckled trout that fell for a Cape Point finger mullet on a Carolina rig. He was fishing in the Neuse River with Capt. Brad Smith of Gunny B Outdoors.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that anglers have been catching good numbers of spanish mackerel from the inlet to out along the beaches (both towards the Point and over to Ocracoke).
Schools of smaller “taylor” bluefish are scattered along the same beachfront areas. The larger bluefish can be found mostly inside the inlet, around the shoals, and on the edges of flats while casting topwater plugs.
Inshore, the red drum bite has been scattered on the flats. Bait fishing is probably the best bet, and bait will open up the opportunity to catch a variety of sizes, from slots up to 40”. When the reds start schooling up in October, break out the artificials and sight-cast to them. For that, a jig head rigged with a 5” Z-Man soft plastic is hard to beat.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the offshore fleet is seeing a few yellowfin tuna (keepers and throwbacks) in the deep.
Blackfin tuna are still out on the rocks, with some sailfish mixed in.
When boats can find grass patties or floating debris, dolphin of varying sizes are still around.
Jeremy, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers have been catching a bunch of bluefish and spanish mackerel while casting glass minnow imitation jigs (such as Shore Lures) from the beach.
Bigger red drum are starting to show up with temperatures cooling down.
Bottom fishing from the sand has been producing a mix of sea mullet and pompano.
Soundside, anglers are finding both spanish mackerel and bluefish schooled up just inside the inlet.
Scattered red drum are up on the flats.
