OBX/Northern Beaches – August 2026
Hugh, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers in the surf zone are catching sea mullet, bluefish, and plenty of croakers while bottom fishing.
The inshore action has finally been picking up, with catches of puppy drum, flounder, a few speckled trout, and plenty of bluefish. They’re also catching sheepshead from around the bridges.
Offshore fishing efforts are producing billfish action, mostly sailfish and blue marlin.
A bunch of tuna, mahi, and the occasional wahoo make up the rest of the offshore trolling action.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Charters, reports that red drum are being caught on the flats using both live baits or various soft plastics under popping corks.
The speckled trout have finally made a little more of a showing. They are being caught while using the same tactics for reds.
This is a great time of year to fish hard structure for some big sheepshead. For the sheepshead, drop down either live crabs or sand fleas.
Ben, of Salty Waters OBX, reports that red drum numbers continue to pick up in the sound, and it’s a bonus that most of the schools are over-slot (with even some bulls). Bait fishing on the flats around the sound is the main tactic. When conditions are calm enough, break out sight-casting lures (topwater plugs, spoons, etc.).
Bait fishing inside is also catching big bluefish.
Off the beach, schools of spanish mackerel and smaller bluefish can be found from the inlet out a couple of miles.
Structure in the 2-8 mile range is holding sheepshead, flounder (to 26”), and triggerfish.
Schools of amberjacks are on these same ARs, and they’ll hit live baits, topwater poppers, or jigs.
Landon Luke, of Kill Devil Hills, landed this sheepshead from the Oregon Inlet Bridge using a bottom sweeper jig.
Vincent, of Stick Em Fishing Adventures, reports that trolling just outside the inlet has produced a bunch of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
The ARs are holding good numbers of triggerfish, black sea bass, flounder, and some amberjacks.
Big amberjacks are out around the nearshore towers, and they love a live bait.
In the sound, schools of puppy drum are on the grass flats (1-2’ depths), and the nighttime bite for big drum (to 50”) is starting to pick up.
Chris, of First Light Charters, reports that bottom fishing with cut bait is the top tactic for the red drum, but they can also be caught with soft plastics.
Some speckled trout are around for anglers throwing artificials such as Z-Man soft plastics on the grass flats.
Just outside the inlet, spanish mackerel and bluefish are cooperating for anglers trolling spoons.
Those fishing around the bridges with crabs can find a mix of sheepshead and black drum.
Les, of Fishing Unlimited, reports that anglers on the beaches and piers have found a decent red drum bite. Alongside the red drum is the usual mixed bag of sea mullet, bluefish, spot, croakers, and flounder. For all of these species, fresh bait makes a big difference.
A decent number of spanish mackerel are around, though this bite is more reliably reached from the piers than the surf unless on the beach early in the morning.
Anglers getting some bottom fishing in at the Little Bridge are catching black drum, croakers, and some spots.
Sam Baldwin, of Kill Devil Hills, hooked this red drum on a grass flat near Oregon Inlet. He was fishing cut mullet with Capt. Aaron Beatson of Carolina Sunrise Charters.
John, of Drumbeat Charters, reports that just off the beach, the spanish mackerel bite has improved, especially in terms of quality. Fish in the 3-5 lb. range are around.
Schools of false albacore have been seen breaking on bait when heading south out of the inlet.
Offshore, the mahi fishing has been outstanding. Good numbers of fish are out on the break (and just offshore of the break).
There continues to be a good billfish bite, with a mix of sailfish, white marlin, and blue marlin coming from the 30-50 fathom range.
The yellowfin tuna bite should pick back up in August.
Jack, of Afishionado Charters, reports that anglers have seen a great little run of sailfish and blue marlin. Most of the billfish action is shallower, with anywhere from 45-60 fathoms being a good starting point.
A few yellowfin tuna and mahi are around, but the action is scattered. Anglers targeting mahi are discovering that fishing lighter leaders has been the trick to getting hookups, as well as focusing on locating grass.
Those looking for tuna have found the early morning to be the best, and pushing offshore a bit has been the most likely area to find them.
McKayla, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that nearshore anglers have been finding good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish off the beach.
Offshore trips have been finding yellowfin tuna (quality and numbers) and some decent catches of mahi.
Deep dropping efforts are producing tilefish and black sea bass.
Billfish are another great addition to the summer action, with catches of sailfish, blue marlin, and white marlin.
Meredith, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that offshore anglers continue to find a mix of mostly yellowfins and some blackfins.
The billfish action has been good, with a mix of sailfish, blue marlin, and some white marlin.
Tilefish have been plentiful for anglers that want to make some deeper drops.
Closer to the beach, the nearshore trips have been catching black sea bass, plenty of spanish mackerel, and scattered cobia.
Kenny, of Avalon Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts have been producing quite a few spots and croakers.
Anglers throwing plugs from the end have been catching a mix of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Paul, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are finding a mix of spot, croakers, sea mullet, bluefish, and a few red drum.
Those fishing in the sound are catching puppy drum on the flats around the inlet.
Nearshore trips are hooking spanish mackerel and bluefish while both trolling and casting jigs.
