Hatteras/Ocracoke – May 2023
Kurt, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf side anglers have seen a nice, steady red drum bite across the Rodanthe beaches and out on the pier. Cut mullet has been best for these yearling and upper-slot fish.
Bottom rigs tipped with sand fleas or shrimp have been producing catches of pufferfish and black drum.
Anglers in the sound are finding the action starting to pick up on both speckled trout and the yearling-sized red drum.
There hasn’t been much for nearshore action on the north side of the Point, with most anglers only finding success by targeting the bottom fishing action for sheepshead at the local reefs.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that there has been some really steady red drum action. Anglers are finding a good mix of both slot and over-slot (30” class) reds while fishing fresh cut baits.
Some good-sized black drum (20” range) are being caught with bottom-rigged shrimp.
There have been a bunch more species active with the warmer conditions. Catches of sea mullet, speckled trout, croaker, spot, and sheepshead are all a part of the action.
Ricky Poovey, of Durham, NC, with a 35″ red drum caught while surf fishing in Frisco. He was soaking cut mullet on the bottom.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that Avon area surf anglers are enjoying good bottom fishing action, with fresh mullet, shrimp, and Fishbites strips to be the top producing baits. Recent catches have included sea mullet, small flounder, blowtoads, black drum, and bluefish.
There are red drum all along the beachfront on the northern side of the Point, from Avon way up into Rodanthe.
Anglers down in Buxton have been landing red drum, too, as well as some large sharks while bait fishing.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that there has been some really good action along area beaches. Anglers rigged with shrimp and artificial bait strips are catching some good-sized sea mullet and blowtoads from areas around ramp 38 through ramp 49.
Puppy drum have been the main target of surf anglers, with the action being hot for a couple weeks now. Anglers out fishing fresh cut baits are having success targeting holes most everywhere along the island. Some over-slot drum are also mixed in the action for anglers fishing out off ramp 44.
The cut baits intended for reds have also hooked into a variety of large sharks.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore anglers have been seeing a really good blackfin tuna bite. The numbers have been good, but the size quality of these tuna has been even better. It’s been a lot of close-to-citation class fish coming back to the docks.
There are some wahoo still mixed in the offshore trolling bite. With warmer waters moving in, the bite has been a bit spotty, though.
Some bailer-sized dolphin have been caught as these schools just start to move into the area, and the number of dolphin only gets better in May.
Anglers fishing out on the beaches and back in the inlet have been hooking a bunch of bull red drum.
Those targeting the sound have been finding scattered speckled trout and large sheepshead.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that anglers headed out of the inlet are seeing some good trophy red drum fishing out along the beaches. Sight-casting 2-3 oz. bucktails at these schools is all it takes for a big strike.
Speckled trout and slot-sized red drum are starting to show up more inside the sound, as the warmer water temperatures get them more active. Sight-casting to red drum on the flats is a great option for late spring.
When weather on the beaches isn’t cooperating, the inland striped bass fishing has been phenomenal. Anglers are seeing days with triple-digit catches in the mainland rivers on the western side of the sound. Z-Man soft plastics in brighter color patterns with heavier 1/2 oz. jig heads or live bait will get in on the striper action.
Paul Park and his son Rowan Park, of Greenville, NC, caught this 44″ black drum fishing at the Point in Buxton. He was using a high-low rig with sand fleas.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that spring fishing has been kicking off, with the blackfin tuna showing in good numbers. As a bonus, anglers have found it’s been a really nice class of fish.
There are wahoo still around, though they will be more scattered as warmer waters move in.
Some early season dolphin are also showing up offshore. Anglers look forward to this fishery only getting better as we move into May and more schools start pushing into the area.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that blackfin tuna action has been really good, with anglers glad to find not only good numbers but mostly larger fish.
Wahoo are still mixed in pretty good as we move into the later stretch of spring.
The first showing of gaffer-sized dolphin are here. Moving into May, this action only picks up as warmer offshore waters move into the area.
Kristen, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that there have been a lot of really nice red drum being caught off the beach. Fishing has been so good that anglers have found mostly over-slot (28”+) reds and a few citations (to 45”) mixed in.
Mixed in the bottom fishing action have also been good-sized black drum, sea mullet, large bluefish (to 11 lbs.), and some speckled trout.
Offshore anglers are doing well targeting wahoo and a mix of yellowfin and blackfin tuna. Some bailer-sized dolphin are also starting to show up as they move into the area.
