Hatteras / Ocracoke – October 2023
Kurt, of Hatteras Jack, reports that red drum of all sizes are being found along the surf and from the local piers. The recent run of storms definitely stirred up the water, and these conditions helped kick off the red drum action. Some bluefish are being caught on the same bottom-rigged cut baits. Smaller bottom-rigged shrimp, sand fleas, or bait strips are getting bites from sea mullet and good-sized croakers. Soundside anglers are seeing a nice mix of speckled trout, bluefish, and puppy drum for their efforts. The drum in particular seem to be more stacked up the closer you get to one of the area inlets. Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are seeing a good run of yearling and puppy drum right after any storms moving through. Bluefish are being caught on cut baits and casting plugs, and anglers are also catching a good mix of smaller spots and croakers.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers on the beaches have seen a nice run of puppy drum while bottom fishing. Fresh cut mullet will really help the chances of success when fishing the stirred-up waters. These same cut bait setups are producing a few bluefish for anglers in the Avon area. Before the blow churned up the surf, anglers were catching plenty of spots and bluefish. As conditions settle, expect to see this action pick back up. Anglers fishing in the sound have found red drum, bluefish, and scattered speckled trout, and there are some flounder as well. Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that there have been some red drum being caught after these recent storms passed by. Bottom fishing efforts are producing bluefish, sea mullet, and spot.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been doing well catching puppy and yearling-sized red drum in the surf. Bluefish are also mixed in this bait fishing action. In the sound, anglers are finding some speckled trout around, and the trout action only gets better as water temperatures cool down moving into fall. Some bull red drum are being caught out in the sound. Anglers are mostly hooking them while bait fishing around deeper drop-offs. Plenty of puppy drum are in the sound, and they’re feeding up on the shoreline flats and along grass edges.
Luke, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that red drum action has been the hot ticket. Anglers have been catching all sizes (puppy, yearling, and a few citation-class), with the Point being the top producing spot. After recent storms, the piers on north Hatteras Island and the northern beaches saw a great run of fish. All this rough water has been great for firing off the red drum bite. This is something anglers hope to see stick around until after water temperatures drop into the low 60s. Bottom fishing setups with smaller baits are producing small pompano, croakers, and spot. The sea mullet bite has been spotty, and anglers look forward to the better-sized fish showing up shortly. Soundside anglers are catching puppy drum and some speckled trout. Offshore runs have produced wahoo, sailfish, blackfin tuna, and some marlin.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that inshore anglers have been doing really well with good numbers of red drum, some nice-sized speckled trout, and bluefish. A handful of sheepshead are being produced by anglers targeting the hard structures with crabs or shrimp. Offshore anglers have seen a long stretch of big swells in the area. When the opportunity to run out has arrived, they have found success catching nice-sized wahoo, blackfin tuna, dolphin, and barracuda.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that the speckled trout action has been great and only gets better with fall right around the corner. Soft plastics have made a great bait for being able to work through different areas quickly. Smaller baits have been best, with 3” Z-Man MinnowZ in the “sexy mullet” color pattern being a recent hot choice. Red drum are feeding well on the windier days and responding best to soaking cut baits, and then when the conditions are calmer, anglers are having success while sight-casting spoons. The flounder season has been a success, with anglers able to find plenty of keeper fish.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that passing storms may have knocked out a couple fishing days, but the action is still very strong as conditions settle down and move into fall patterns. Billfish are still pretty plentiful in the area, with releases of sailfish and white marlin the most common. Good-sized wahoo have been showing better, and they’re mixed in with some dolphin. Fall tuna fishing is right around the corner, and with the water temperatures seeing a nice drop in temperature, this action could happen anytime in the coming weeks. Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the offshore action is picking back up some with weather patterns starting to cool. Better numbers and sizes of wahoo are showing up, and the wahoo fishing should only get better in the coming weeks. Some of the larger blackfin tuna are also in the mix.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers fishing in the sound have caught some keeper flounder and scattered speckled trout. Big red drum are being caught around the inlets and out into the sound. Most of this action has come in the evening. The surf action has consisted of bluefish and puppy drum. The red drum in particular have seemed to be feeding better both early and late in the day. The offshore action has been slim with the run of storms leaving plenty of high surf and swells. As conditions settle down, anglers look forward to targeting wahoo, dolphin, and tuna.
