Hatteras/Ocracoke – June 2024
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers fishing from the sound shorelines are catching some speckled trout and big bluefish on cut mullet.
Surf anglers are seeing a bunch of sea mullet, good numbers of bluefish, and consistent spanish mackerel within casting range.
Sheepshead are also popping up in the surf action.
Nearshore anglers have been on a really good cobia bite, with the occasional large red drum mixed in.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been the top tactic for action. Catches have included sea mullet, puppy drum, and scattered large bluefish.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers out at the Point have been catching large bluefish (to 9 lbs.) and a bunch of red drum. Most of the reds drum have been puppy and yearling-sized, but some runs of big drum are also coming through.
Bottom fishing efforts across Hatteras Island are producing nice-sized sea mullet, red drum, smaller flounder, and skates.
Anglers back in the sound are seeing action starting to pick up with the water temperatures warming. Catches of nice-sized speckled trout, red drum, and plenty of bluefish are being found.
Nearshore fishing has been the big news. Schools of citation-class red drum (to 52”) and cobia are moving their way up the beaches.
Pauline Migliore, of Northampton, PA, hauled in this cobia just offshore of Hatteras Island while sight casting a bucktail. She was fishing with Team Dempsey Guide Service.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that there have been some large bluefish (to 9+ lbs.) caught.
Bottom fishing has been producing sea mullet and scattered red drum.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that surf anglers are catching sea mullet, puppy drum, and bluefish.
There hasn’t been much action on the Point. Surf anglers are finding some smaller red drum, but no waves of big fish.
Nearshore anglers have seen a bunch of cobia and schools of citation class red drum off the beach.
Sound-side fishing has been picking up. Anglers casting cut baits from the shoreline are catching red drum, big bluefish, and speckled trout.
Luke, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that anglers are catching a bunch of puppy drum out on the beachfronts.
Bluefish have been plentiful, with larger (6+ lb.) fish still mixed in.
A few spanish mackerel have moved in close enough to cast metals to in the early mornings.
Pompano have started showing up, and anglers look forward to water temperatures picking up a little more to really kick off this bite.
Anglers fishing the Point and Ramp 45 areas at night have caught a few big drum, though the bite is hit-or-miss.
Sound-side anglers are catching some speckled trout on artificials (along with bluefish).
Anglers fishing nearshore, from up around Pea Island all the way down Hatteras Island, are catching some cobia and large red drum.
Offshore runs are producing blackfin tuna and marlin.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore boats have been returning from daily trips with a mixed bag of larger blackfin tuna, mahi, king mackerel, and some nice wahoo.
Billfish have also started to move in and will be showing up in spreads throughout the summer.
Nearshore anglers have been really focused on the cobia, as these fish have migrated into the area. Anglers have landed some large ones (to 68 lbs.) as part of the action.
Plenty of schools of spanish mackerel are off the beach.
Anglers fishing both inside and around the inlet are landing puppy drum and yearling reds.
A few nice-sized trout are mixed in for anglers fishing inshore.
Sheepshead are being found with more consistency around the inshore structures.
Bluefish are all over the place, both inside and out along the beaches.
Joelle Jacobs, of Wilmington, hauled in this mahi and tuna offshore of Hatteras Island using skirted ballyhoo. She was fishing with Capt. Jim Bowman of Marlin Mania Charters out of Teach’s Lair Marina.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that cobia fishing has been really good. With this first wave of fish, sight-casting has been the name of the game. Anglers will be targeting them with cut baits in the inlet as these fish get more established in the area and move inshore to spawn.
A bunch of bluefish are both inshore and off the beaches, and they can be targeted by sight casting metals.
Speckled trout fishing on the inside has started to ramp up.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers getting out have been catching a mess of blackfin tuna, with some nice fish (to 29 lbs.) in the mix.
Mahi are also starting to show up in better numbers now that the warmer water is moving in.
In the coming weeks, don’t be surprised to see billfish showing up with regularity.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the area is just now starting to see some mahi in the area. The mahi fishing can be a little hit or miss as this early wave arrives, but getting into June, the bite improves with the better conditions, such as less wind, good water, and weed lines.
Some blackfin tuna are mixed into the daily catches.
Blue marlin have started to show up, and this bite only gets better moving into summer.
Jeremy, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that red drum fishing has been good off the beach. Sizes have varied from puppies right up to citation-class fish, with most of the larger reds being caught in the evening.
A bunch of big bluefish are still around (30”+), and some sheepshead have moved into the surf.
Sound fishing is picking up, with anglers finding spanish mackerel, plenty of bluefish, speckled trout, and red drum.
Nearshore anglers are seeing a really good run on cobia. Anglers fishing deeper holes in the inlet have also been able to land some.
Offshore anglers are catching blue marlin, mahi, and wahoo.
