Hatteras/Ocracoke – November 2024
Charlie, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf anglers have been enjoying a really good bluefish bite.
Sea mullet are beginning to show up in better numbers, and the area should see more of the bigger sea mullet being caught when the water temperatures cool down further.
Anglers are hooking scattered red drum (of all sizes), and the fish can be found up and down the entire island.
The soundside action has slowed down as a result of water temperatures taking a quick drop.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that there has been a good red drum bite. Most of the reds have been puppy drum, but a handful of big ones are in the mix, too.
Speckled trout are starting to show up in the surf zone.
Bottom fishing efforts are producing bluefish, spot, croakers, and sea mullet.
Leah Severance, of Fuquay Varina, landed this 24″ red drum surf fishing in Buxton using cut bait.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that the bluefish bite has been excellent across the whole island. The size range on these fish really varies, but most of them are better sized (4-10 lb. range).
Smaller bottom fishing setups are producing some sea mullet, especially around Avon.
The area recently saw scattered spots and some blowtoads caught.
The occasional citation-class red drum (to 47”) is still being caught both in the surf and off the local piers.
Out at the Point, the bite has included puppy drum and the occasional big red drum.
From the Bonner Bridge Pier, anglers are catching a few sheepshead.
Soundside efforts are producing puppy drum, speckled trout, and a ton of bluefish.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that the bottom fishing action has seen sea mullet and some speckled trout.
Anglers are also catching red drum of all sizes, everything from puppies to citation-class fish.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been catching decent numbers of puppy drum, sea mullet, and a bunch of bluefish up and down the Hatteras Island beaches.
Back in the sound, most of the action is centered around bluefish, with puppy drum also in the mix.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that when the opportunity arises to head offshore, the action has been mostly focused on dolphin, with blackfin tuna and wahoo mixed into the catch.
Soundside, there are sheepshead being caught around structure.
The puppy drum bite has been good, with the occasional bigger red drum still around.
The big talk of the area continues to be bluefish. There are literally tons of them around, and it’s basically impossible to not catch them. These blues are good-sized fish, with many in the 6-8 lb. class.
The bluefish action can be found in the surf zone, too, where more of the bigger bluefish are being caught.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that red drum fishing has been good for anglers in the sound. The best bet has been fishing cut bait, especially on the windy days. On calm days, the better tactic has been sight casting Johnson spoons to groups of fish.
The speckled trout action remains strong, with anglers catching a class of 18-20” fish with popping cork setups. Z-Man paddle tail soft plastics in a variety of colors have been the top bait to hang underneath the corks.
Anglers have been seeing some of the best bluefish action ever in the area. A ton of big blues are around, with fish in the 4-8+ lb. range not being uncommon. Thes bluefish aren’t affected too much by the cold water, and there is a chance they stick around all the way through winter.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that there are still some late season dolphin to be had. The key has been running across any of the floating grass or debris that these fish are staged up under.
Most of the trolling action is producing blackfin tuna and wahoo.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that when weather windows open up to run offshore, boats are targeting the larger, fall-time blackfin tuna and wahoo.
Dolphin are still around for anglers that can find some floating debris.
Gary Hurley and Chris Rogers, both of Fisherman’s Post, with some of the bluefish they caught throwing topwaters and poppers near Hatteras Inlet. They were fishing with Capt. Joey VanDyke of Fingeance Sportfishing out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Bailey, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that the bluefish bite has been excellent along the beaches, especially for anglers out around ramp 55.
Those bottom fishing with smaller setups are catching sea mullet, croaker, and the occasional spot.
Some red drum are mixed in the surf action. The catch has been a mix of both puppy drum and larger fish (just sort of citation).
Anglers back in the sound are doing well with red drum using cut bait in the evenings.
Peter, of Wann Sportfishing, reports that the area continues to see a ton of big bluefish around. These fish can be found just about everywhere, such as around the inlets, over the grass flats, and on the edges of shoals. Casting Stingsilvers with wire leaders is all that is needed to get in on the action.
Speckled trout are around, and they are being caught by anglers fishing Z-Man soft plastics on jig heads. With water temperatures fluctuating a bit, it will likely be necessary to move around a little to stay on the bite.
The red drum action (both slots and the occasional over-slot) has been steady for those targeting the grass flats with cut mullet. Fishing in the evening has been better.
Grey, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf anglers are seeing tons of bluefish.
A bunch of red drum in all sizes, from puppy to 35”+ over-slots, are being caught with fresh cut baits.
Some pompano are being pulled in from the wash.
Soundside anglers are catching puppy drum and some sheepshead.
Offshore anglers are catching blackfin tuna, wahoo, and the occasional marlin.
The bite has also included some good catches of dolphin, if you can find them under something floating.
