OBX/Northern Beaches – July 2026
Donnie, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been seeing a mixed bag of spot, croakers, and some good-sized mullet, and the occasional puppy drum is being caught by those rigged up with fresh cut baits.
Out on the piers, anglers are seeing much of the same bottom fishing action, but they’re also hooking spanish mackerel and bluefish by sight-casting Gotcha plugs and metal jigs.
Back in the sound, puppy drum are scattered around. Anglers are having some success fishing a variety of artificials, but cut bait is the best way to find a bite.
A couple of trout are mixed in and being found by anglers fishing artificials such as topwater plugs, soft plastics, or spoons on the edges of the flats.
Bluefish are plentiful throughout the inlet and inshore waters, and they will hit just about any bait (natural or artificial) tossed their way.
John, of Drumbeat Charters, reports that mahi have been moving through and are being found under grass mats mostly in the 20-mile range.
The tuna bite has seen a mix of yellowfins and bigeyes.
Anglers fishing the nearshore wrecks are hooking plenty of amberjacks in the 10-mile range, with triggerfish even closer.
Soundside fishing has been pretty tough, but some anglers are persevering for a mix of red drum and bluefish.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Charters, reports that topwater plugs have been great search baits for targeting red drum and bluefish on the inshore flats.
Off the beach, the spanish mackerel bite has kicked off, and some king mackerel are mixed in.
Triggerfish and black sea bass are on the nearshore wrecks.
Elizabeth Lowe, of Wilson, landed this speckled trout in the Dare County area on a Z-Man soft plastic. She was fishing with Capt. Zach Bland of UFO Charters.
Vincent, of Stick Em Fishing Adventures, reports that a bunch of bluefish (to 38”) and over-slot red drum are around the inlet.
Slot red drum are pushed up on the shallow grass flats inside or on the shoals right outside the inlet. Popping corks, topwater plugs, and cut bait are all having times of success.
A few decent-sized speckled trout are finally showing up, and they can be found closer to the inlet.
The wreck fishing off the beach has been good in the 7+ mile range for triggerfish, amberjacks, and black sea bass.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been picking up for anglers looking to troll or cast spoons.
Keep a bucktail ready, as even though the cobia bite has been slowing down, there are still opportunities to run across one.
Chris, of First Light Charters, reports that big bluefish (8-10 lbs.) are hanging around the inlet. When the winds are down, throwing spoons or jigs to them will get strikes, and with windy conditions, switch over to cut baits.
Anglers can find some big red drum around the inlets. The reds are scattered, with most hookups coming from cut baits.
Sheepshead fishing has been improving as these fish continue to move in over inshore structure and under bridges. The occasional black drum is mixed in.
Speckled trout fishing has been tough.
The spanish mackerel bite has been picking up off the beach by both trolling and sight-casting tactics.
The nearshore reefs are holding triggerfish.
Les, of Fishing Unlimited, reports that surf action has included bluefish, sea mullet, spanish mackerel, flounder, croakers, and a few puppy drum.
Anglers getting out on the Little Bridge have been landing croaker and a few spot.
Down at the Bonner Bridge Pier, sheepshead and bluefish make up most of the action.
Back in the sound, red drum fishing has been picking up for anglers both fishing artificials and soaking fresh cut mullet.
Jack, of Afishionado Charters, reports that the fleet has seen a great run of both gaffer and bailer-sized dolphin. For this bite, target patches of grass, but know that the location of the grass varies every day. Some days it’s 300’, and some days it’s 2000’.
The yellowfin tuna have started to show up in good numbers alongside some bigeye tuna. Pull ballyhoo under Sea Witches, and when the fishing is a little scrappy, run spreader bars and squid chains.
Solid numbers of blue marlin are being found.
Lilly Hackney, of Belhaven, caught this sheepshead near Hatteras Inlet using a blue crab. She was fishing with Capt. Aaron Aaron of Tightline Fishing Charters.
McKayla, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the tuna bite finally showed up. Anglers have been catching a bunch of good-sized yellowfin tuna and some large bigeye tuna (to 198 lbs.).
Some gaffer-sized and bailer mahi are mixed in.
The billfish bite has been strong, with releases of blues and white marlin.
Nearshore anglers are finding spanish mackerel, cobia, bluefish, king mackerel, and triggerfish.
The head boat trips have enjoyed success bottom fishing for croakers, bluefish, black sea bass, pufferfish, flounder, and sea mullet in the inlet.
Meredith, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that the yellowfin tuna bite has been on fire, with some bigeyes also in the mix.
Anglers have seen some excellent billfish action with blue and white marlin, and gaffer-sized dolphin and the occasional wahoo are coming in.
Bottom fishing has been producing tilefish, black sea bass, amberjacks, and triggerfish.
Nearshore trips have done well with spanish mackerel, bluefish, triggerfish, and some cobia.
Kenny, of Avalon Pier, reports that anglers getting out on the pier early are sight-casting Gotcha plugs to schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Bottom fishing is producing a bunch of sea mullet on any variety of shrimp, sand fleas, or artificial bait strips.
Paul, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that bottom fishing from the surf is bringing up a bunch of sea mullet and some good-sized bluefish.
Scattered puppy drum are around for those fishing with cut mullet, and good numbers of flounder are in the surf.
Soundside action has been a little slower, with most of the bite centered around the bluefish and red drum that are staged up on flats just inside the inlet.
