OBX/Northern Beaches – November 2026
Ward, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that big red drum are showing up for anglers on the piers, and puppy drum and scattered big drum can be found out along the beachfront.
Speckled trout are increasing in both the sound and the surf, but expectations are limited because of last year’s tough winter (and this year’s slow summer).
Other bottom fishing action from the surf includes sea mullet, bluefish, and spot.
Hopefully, a fall tuna bite returns as soon as boats are able to get back out.
Chris, of First Flight Charters, reports that speckled trout are off to a good start for the fall season. A lot of smaller “dinks” have moved in to kick the action off, but these smaller trout are thick (which is great after the last few winters). Try experimenting with fishing a lot of new areas to find the numerous scattered pockets of fish that will hit just about anything. The most productive scenario is often holes with nearby structure or a ledge in about 4-6’ of water.
Carolina-rigged cut mullet would be the way to target red drum up on the flats.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Charters, reports that trophy red drum fishing has been happening off the beaches. Water temperatures cooling down have been drawing these fish out of the Chesapeake Bay and the sound as the reds work south on their annual migration.
The main action in November for the inshore crowd will be looking for speckled trout and schools of puppy drum in the sound.
Ben, of Nashville, TN, landed this 47″ red drum in the Neuse River on a Aqua Dream gold spoon. He was fishing with Capt. Brad Smith of Gunny B Outdoors.
Ben, of Salty Waters OBX, reports that anglers are finding some gray trout on structure at the ARs and along deeper channel edges.
Plenty of smaller speckled trout are mixed in with the gray trout, and anglers hope to see the speckled trout bite picking up as the water temperatures continue to cool.
Bluefish can be found all over the place, and they will likely stick around through November.
The red drum bite has been decent, with the sizes (slot to big drum) varying from spot to spot. Looking for red drum on the grass flats around the inlet is always a great way to start.
John, of Drumbeat Charters, reports that red drum in November are expected to be schooling up and pushing around on the flats closer to the inlet.
Speckled trout are predicted to make a decent showing, as they typically feed better with cooler water temperatures. The specks will be best targeted by focusing efforts in the sound and the surf.
November typically means one thing in the surf—red drum fishing. When the area gets hard southwest winds, that’s usually when anglers see the best big drum bite.
Nearshore, boats will be looking for bluefish and some false albacore.
The offshore fleet is hopeful that they will see the tuna action pick back up once boats can get back outside the inlet.
Les, of Fishing Unlimited, reports that anglers have been catching a good variety of fish in the surf and from the piers. This action includes speckled trout, croakers, spot, red drum, and black drum.
The Little Bridge has started to produce some speckled trout, but anglers will definitely need to work through a lot of smaller fish to find the keepers.
Down around the inlet, the Bonner Bridge Pier should produce a mix of bluefish and puppy drum.
Hannah Hogan, of Nags Head, NC, reeled in this almaco jack 14 miles east of Oregon Inlet on a live pigfish. She was fishing with Capt. Kelly Hogan of Nags Head Light Tackle Charters.
Jack, of Afishionado Charters, reports that blackfin tuna had made a good showing before the blow, and they will be one of the main targets when the fleet can get back offshore. November is the time of year when the bigger blackfins will be in the mix.
Yellowfin tuna could also show up in November, but the yellowfins haven’t been as reliable over recent years.
McKayla, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that before this blow, the tuna had been showing up, and as the water settles, anglers anticipate the bite picking right back up.
Closer to the beach, king mackerel should be lingering around the area even though the water is cooling.
Anglers will likely stumble on some schools of false albacore and bluefish when getting back out of the inlet.
Inshore trips are starting to focus efforts on speckled trout, with the puppy drum also a possibility when fishing around the inlet.
Meredith, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that before this run of weather fronts, the tuna action (yellowfins and blackfins) was off to a hot start.
Nearshore trips were catching some king mackerel, and bottom fishing efforts were bringing up triggerfish and black sea bass.
Brian, of Nags Head Pier, reports that the pier is seeing a mix of red drum, sea mullet, spot, speckled trout, and some bluefish.
Joe, of Avalon Pier, reports that the pier expects to see a mix of red drum, bluefish, sea mullet, and (possibly) speckled trout in November.
John, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching some big red drum off the piers, mostly at night.
Before the blow, bluefish and speckled trout were showing up in the surf. There were really good numbers of speckled trout, though most were smaller (13.5”) with maybe one out of every ten being a keeper.
Anglers looking to fish in the sound will be picking away at speckled trout and scattered puppy drum. Both cut baits or soft plastics should have success.
