Hatteras/Ocracoke – May 2024
Eric, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf fishing action is picking up almost by the day as water temperatures slowly work their way up. Anglers are finding a mixed bag of blowtoads, sea mullet, skates, dogfish sharks, and some scattered red drum.
Some nice-sized bluefish (19-25”) are being caught back in the sound with cut baits.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishing remains the top choice to produce action, with catches of sea mullet, blowtoads, and a ton of skates.
Anglers look for the windy conditions to start settling down in the coming weeks, and the wind laying down will likely draw the bluefish hanging on the beaches to the south to move up and around the Point.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that red drum action is firing up on the Hatteras Island beaches. Puppy drum are scattered in anglers’ catches throughout the area.
The bottom fishing action is also producing bluefish and sea mullet.
Anglers out on the Point are catching some yearlings and puppy drum on fresh cut bait.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that puppy drum have been feeding up and down the beach.
The big red drum have started showing up for anglers getting out to the Point. Recently, the night bite has been best.
Shrimp on bottom rigs in the surf are producing black drum, sheepshead, and sea mullet.
Soundside anglers have been catching some nice-sized bluefish.
Carter, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that anglers are seeing some bluefish moving into the surf. Most of these first blues have been smaller fish, with a few 3+ lb. class fish mixed in. All are feeding on cut baits.
Bottom rigs with shrimp, sand fleas, or artificial bait strips are producing sea mullet, croakers, and a few blowtoads.
The slot red drum on the Hatteras and Frisco beaches have been a bit spotty, and the winds have also, at times, pushed some big red drum into the Point.
Paul and Rowan Park, of Greenville, NC, found this 40″ red drum in the surf of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore using cut mullet.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore anglers look forward to more opportunity to get out of the inlet moving into May. As winds settle down, anglers will be right back into the blackfin tuna action, with yellowfin also being in the mix.
By the end of May is when we see the first push of mahi into the area.
Bottom fishing also picks up in May, with catches of tilefish and amberjack.
Inshore trips are seeing some red drum and bluefish. Over the next month, the warmer water temperatures will push many more reds into the sound.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that red drum have started showing up in really good numbers, along with scattered large bluefish. On days with a lot of wind (like those that have been most common this last month), cut baits are leading to most of the action. On those calmer days, it gives a great opportunity to sight-cast to fish, including some schools of over-slot fish that are also hanging around.
Some speckled trout are also moving back into the area, and they’re hitting Z-Man soft plastics rigged on lighter jig heads.
Moving into May, anglers will keep their eyes on the nearshore conditions as we could see the first cobia showing up by the end of the month. By June, anglers usually see that great sight-casting action be as good as it can get, correlating with the full migration into the area.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that spring fishing is just kicking off in the area.
Tuna is the name of the game in May, with both large blackfins and yellowfins mixed in the daily catches.
Before the main push happens, there’s also an opportunity to land some early season mahi.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that when the winds allow the run, some nice-sized blackfin tuna are being caught. During late spring, the area also has the possibility to add in some yellowfin tuna.
The fleet has already found some early season mahi. This bite only picks up moving later into May.
Successful rigs can be simple to be productive this time of year. Just rig your favorite colored Seawitch skirts on ballyhoo.
Ken, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that red drum action has fired up on the Ocracoke beaches. Anglers have done well catching both slot and over-slot reds up and down the island.
Red drum are also pushing up onto flats in the sound.
The main way to target red drum this time of year is soaking fresh cut mullet, and with all the fresh chunk mullet out for drum, plenty of sharks have also been hooked in the area.
Anglers enjoyed a nice showing of big bluefish, and these blues are also hitting the cut bait.
