OBX/Northern Beaches – April 2026
Maggie, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that a lot of cold water is still along the northern beaches. With temperatures dipping into the 40s at times, the surf has not offered much outside of dogfish sharks and rays.
The action is starting to fire up down around the Point on Hatteras Island, and that has everyone watching closely. Slot-sized puppy drum, bluefish, and black drum are being caught south, and the southern action is typically a hint at what’s headed north.
On the soundside, the cold water has kept most species quiet, with catfish making up most of the recent catches.
Offshore, the action continues to revolve around bluefin tuna, and at this point, the smaller bluefins seem to be the most common.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Charters, reports that each warm spell brings the area closer to seeing the spring fishing firing off, but for now, the bluefin tuna bite offshore has been the most consistent action.
The last warm front pushed sound temperatures up a bit, and soon the puppy drum will start sliding onto the flats around the inlet.
Off the beach, everyone is waiting for the schools of big red drum to show. Keep an eye on reports coming out of Hatteras Island, and if the northern beaches can get longer stretches of southwest winds, that is usually what triggers the big red drum’s arrival in April.
Ben, of Salty Waters OBX, reports that a recent stretch of warm weather helped bump up those sound temperatures, and everyone is looking forward to the spring fishing action getting underway.
The red drum bite is one of the first things to watch for as these fish push back into the sound. Early in the season, they are targeted on the flats with scented soft plastics or Carolina‑rigged cut bait.
As April settles in, some speckled trout will start to mix into the action, though a hard winter will keep most anglers from focusing on them.
Striped bass are another option, with fish being caught around bridges and creek mouths on larger (5”) paddle‑tail soft plastics.
Ryan Gregory, of Kill Devil Hills, landed this bluefin tuna trolling a ballyhoo two miles off Oregon Inlet.
Vincent, of Stick Em Fishing Adventures, reports that most anglers are making a run over to the mainland rivers to take advantage of the striped bass bite as the rockfish are moving into their spawning patterns.
Bluefin tuna continue to bite well for anyone heading offshore.
The recent warm fronts brought a good stretch of southwest winds, and if that trend holds, it is only a matter of time before the schools of trophy red drum make their first showing off the inlets of Hatteras and Ocracoke. Once that happens, they usually start popping up outside Oregon Inlet shortly after.
Jack, of Afishionado Charters, reports that the bluefin tuna bite remains excellent, with plenty of fish around. Sizes are all over the board, with keepers being caught right alongside giants pushing 800 pounds. Both trolling ballyhoo, either naked or under light‑colored skirts, and throwing poppers on heavy‑action tackle are producing solid hookups.
McKayla, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers are still finding a mix of keeper bluefin tuna alongside giants. Both trolling and topwater tactics are drawing strikes.
The first few yellowfin tuna have also started to show, a welcome sign that the spring run is getting underway.
Nearshore action has been quiet so far, with mostly dogfish sharks around.
Back in the sound, striped bass and catfish are making up the bulk of the catches.
Meredith, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that bluefin tuna are still the main target as the area heads into April. Anglers are hoping for more fishable days and an early push of yellowfin tuna.
There is also the outside chance of seeing a few early season mahi by the end of April.
Chrissy, of Avalon Pier, reports that cold water is still hanging along the northern beaches and not much action has started up yet. As temperatures warm, more fish will begin pushing into the area.
For now, dogfish sharks and stingrays are giving folks something to pull on.
Paul, of Charlotte, landed this striper in the Roanoke River using a Z-Man swim bait. He was fishing with Capt. Ben Morris of Salty Waters OBX.
John, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that despite the false‑spring warm spells, water temperatures remain low, and dogfish sharks and rays are providing most of the action for anyone getting out on the beachfront.
Everyone is keeping an eye on Hatteras Island for the first signs of what will eventually push north. Sea mullet, pufferfish, and scattered puppy drum are typically the first arrivals in this stretch of the season.
Back in the sound, anglers are catching and releasing some striped bass and finding big catfish around the bridges.
Offshore, bluefin tuna still make up most of the action, with a few yellowfins starting to mix into the catches.
