Hatteras/Ocracoke – August 2023
Jeremy, of Hatteras Jack, reports that summertime fishing action is in full swing throughout the area. Surf anglers have been doing best while bottom fishing, and the smaller baits are producing a wide variety of species. Anglers could expect to see anything from spot, croakers, and sea mullet to some tasty pompano.
Red drum are also sprinkled in the action, with anglers seemingly doing best fishing areas around the inlets.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are moving to within casting distance at times. This action is mostly near the inlets where less crowds and deeper waters are more common.
Soundside anglers are enjoying a speckled trout bite that has been one of the best the area has seen in years. With water temperatures in the mid-80s, it’s a good idea to target these fish in the deeper (4-6’) holes.
Red drum have been hit or miss back on the inshore flats. The fish are there, but grass has been thick this year and it’s been hard to get the right baits down to them. Weedless spoons can be a great option if you’re not looking to fish natural baits.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing nice-sized sea mullet and some spot.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel continue to make runs past the pier. They are mostly striking at plugs cast towards the surface-feeding frenzies.
Luke Neville (age 8), of Winnabow, NC, caught this 18.5″ speckled trout using fresh shrimp. He was fishing in the Pamlico Sound behind Salvo, NC.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers using fresh mullet have been doing well catching red drum and sharks in the surf.
Smaller baits (fresh shrimp or artificial bait strips) have been producing sea mullet, spot, and croaker.
Bluefish are mixed in the surf action, and they’re hitting both jigs and cut bait.
If the fishing is slow in the surf, head over to the sound side. Anglers targeting fish in the sound have been doing well with speckled trout and puppy drum.
Darren, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers casting plugs have found some nice runs of bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishing has been producing a mixed bag of croakers, spot, sea mullet, and sharks.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that with the summer pattern, the fishing action has slowed a little. However, despite the hot conditions, surf anglers have found some nice pompano while fishing around ramp 55, and sea mullet are scattered in the landings, too.
Sharks are being found just about everywhere in the surf. Anglers looking for some of this hard-fighting action are doing especially well in the ramp 38 area.
The sound has continued to produce some quality speckled trout and red drum. The water has heated up, though, and warmer temps make targeting the fish a bit more difficult as they scatter around. Fishing the early and late hours can really increase your chances of success.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that anglers that fought through the tough conditions for the short American red snapper season had success catching their limits. Tilefish and grouper have also been caught by anglers bottom fishing.
The offshore trolling action remains fairly viable. Anglers are enjoying catches of wahoo, mahi, barracuda, and blackfin tuna.
Billfish remain mixed in the action, with catches of sailfish and blue marlin.
Anglers fishing in the sound continue to find some really nice speckled trout alongside scattered puppy drum.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are plentiful both off the beaches and just inside the inlets.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that sound fishing in the area continues to produce some great speckled trout action, even in the heat of summer. The class of fish has been great for anglers fishing mostly Z-Man soft plastics under popping corks.
Red drum are mixed in the inshore action when targeting some of the flats inside the inlets. The reds will readily strike spoons and 3” soft plastics, and they are also feeding on cut baits when sight casting isn’t an option.
Bluefish have been plentiful around the inlets, and they’re primarily striking at spoons cast to the schools.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that there has been plenty of dolphin around for anglers getting out and targeting the floating debris and/or weed lines.
Many anglers this time of year are looking for that big billfish, and there are some around. Anglers have found it to be a nice surprise hooking into a blue marlin, white marlin, or sailfish on the lighter trolling gear.
Emily Scanlon (age 12), of Rapid City, SD, caught (and released) this 29″ red drum that fell for a gold spoon. She was fishing a flat in the Pamlico Sound near Ocracoke Island with Capt. Jake Dempsey, of Dempsey Guide Service.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that anglers have found some really good numbers of dolphin on recent trips. Anglers are hooking well into double-digit numbers of bailer-sized fish, with some larger fish in the mix.
There’s a great billfish bite as well, with blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish all options on what can show up in the spread.
There has also been a nice little pop of wahoo found over a day’s efforts.
Kristen, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that most of the bigger red drum have swung around and pushed into the sound. The occasional puppy drum is now the typical catch from the surf.
In these peak summer months, the surf fishing can be a bit quieter with the larger crowds and heat. Patient anglers (or those fishing off hours) are still doing well with catches of bluefish, sea mullet, and throwback flounder.
Soundside fishing has been pretty good, with anglers catching large trout, bluefish, and spanish mackerel.
Offshore anglers have been landing plenty of dolphin and a tuna (or two or three).
