Hatteras/Ocracoke – November 2022
Jeremy, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are seeing a good run of bluefish throughout the surf, with most being in the 20” range. There are larger blues around, but most have been caught more to the south around Hatteras Inlet.
Blowtoads have started moving in with the cooler water temperatures, and bottom fishing is also producing black drum, pompano, and smaller flounder.
The sea mullet action that anglers look forward to each fall has started to really pick up, and a few speckled trout have also pushed out into the surf.
Red drum fishing from the beach has been a little slower than expected, but you can never count out any species in the fall, as evident with a few citation-class reds (to 42”) caught around ramps 25-27.
Soundside anglers are finding speckled trout action when targeting some of the deeper holes (4’+). There is a bunch of grass around, and topwater plugs or weedless-rigged baits have really helped anglers find bites over snags.
Brad, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been pretty good, with anglers catching sea mullet, spots, blowtoads, and some late season pompano.
There hasn’t been a ton of red drum action from the planks, but anglers fishing in the surf near the pier are having success.
Holston (right) and Dave Mizell caught this bluefish on cut mullet in the Cape Lookout area.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers are catching good numbers of bluefish on just about any of the Hatteras Island beaches.
Some good-sized sea mullet (to 2 lbs.) are being weighed in at the shop, and bottom fishing has also produced some pompano, black drum, and puppy drum.
Anglers out at the Point have caught a few over-slot reds. For red drum fishing up and down the beach, getting fresh cut baits has been the key to success.
Anglers fishing in the sound have been finding slot-sized red drum, bluefish, and gray trout.
Harry, of Avon Pier, reports that bottom fishing has produced the most reliable action. Some good-sized sea mullet are the most common catch.
Plenty of bluefish are running in the area for anglers looking for sight-casting action.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that there has been a pretty good slot red drum bite for anglers out at the Point, with larger yearling fish also mixed in.
Bluefish action is being found all over the beaches, with anglers casting at schools from Rodanthe down through Hatteras Village.
Some good-sized sea mullet and spot are being caught around Avon.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the offshore boats have started to see some really good blackfin tuna action. It has been a really good class of fish laid out on the docks, with numbers being in the double digits.
A few good-sized wahoo and king mackerel are also coming in from offshore.
Inshore trips are finding great bluefish action around the inlet, and a few big red drum are also being caught while bottom fishing the same area.
Anglers back on the flats are catching slot-sized red drum and speckled trout.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that anglers are finding the good speckled trout action to be moving along well going into the later part of fall. Smaller (3”) Z-Man paddle tails in the electric chicken color patterns have been the go-to lure for getting strikes.
Red drum fishing has been picking up with water temperatures starting to cool down. Fishing cut baits on the shoals is usually the most productive tactic this time of year.
Anglers headed off the beach are still having plenty of success catching spanish mackerel while trolling or sight-casting Stingsilvers.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers have seen an emergence of an excellent blackfin tuna bite. It’s been good in terms of both quantity and size, with some citations (to 34 lbs.) in the mix.
Wahoo fishing remains steady and will be one of the more consistent options with cooler water temperatures moving in. A couple sailfish and some late season dolphin are also mixed in the trolling action.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that blackfin tuna action has fired off in the area, with anglers seeing double digits of a nice class of fish coming into the boat from areas SE of Diamond Shoals Tower.
There are some sailfish still around to add to the mixed offshore action. Trolling ballyhoo and Sea Witch combos will produce strikes from just about anything feeding offshore, including wahoo, king mackerel, and late season mahi.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been experiencing some epic bluefish action, with good-sized fish (to 6 lbs.) all over the beachfront. These schools have been so thick they are pushing baitfish and other prey (such as spots) right up onto the sand.
The shift to NW winds brought with it a good puppy drum bite. A few straggling citation-class reds are also mixed in the action for anglers rigged up with fresh cut baits.
Smaller bottom rigs setups are producing spot, sea mullet, and a few pompano that are on their way out with the cooler water coming in.
Anglers in the sound are hooking plenty of bluefish, puppy drum, speckled trout, and some old red drum.
The offshore boats have started seeing a nice tuna bite, with good-sized blackfin and a few yellowfin.
The cooler weather is also helping anglers looking for some wahoo action, and there are a lot of king mackerel around as well.
