Hatteras/Ocracoke – September 2024
Jeremy, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf fishing’s top producing tactic has been bottom fishing, with catches of croaker, mullet, and spot.
Surprisingly, not many puppy drum have been caught, though slightly cooler conditions as we move into September should pick that action up.
A few spanish mackerel are showing up in the surf.
Anglers back in the sound have been catching a ton of smaller bluefish, as the blues ravage just about any bait thrown out.
Speckled trout fishing is good and has been good all summer long. Lately, the better action has been closer to the inlet.
The red drum action inshore continues to be elusive for most anglers.
Mark, of Reel ‘Em In Charters, reports that speckled trout action remains strong, with the early mornings being noticeably better. Anglers are seeing the most success targeting shallower areas (3-5’) with soft plastics both rigged under popping corks or on jig heads slowly dragged across the bottom. Working baits slower has been key, as these fish are still pretty lazy with the warmer water temperatures.
Red drum have been scattered all summer. Moving into September, the drum will be getting ready to spawn, and subsequently the action should really pick up.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers on the northern Hatteras Island beaches have been catching bluefish, sea mullet, flounder, puppy drum, and a few pompano.
Out at the Point, the action has been fairly quiet, with mostly catches of rays and sharks.
The south facing beaches have been seeing plenty of bluefish and sea mullet.
Soundside action is centered around speckled trout, with plenty of good-sized fish being caught.
A bunch of bluefish are in the sound in the same areas as the trout, but puppy drum action has been slow in the sound.
Dan Kozel, of Winchester, VA, caught this amberjack offshore of Oregon Inlet using a fly rod. He was fishing with Capt. Aaron Kelly of Rock Solid Fishing Charters.
Chris, of Avon Pier, reports that bottom fishing action has been mainly focused around the smaller, summer species, with catches including croakers, pinfish, and sheepshead.
Some sharks are being caught with cut baits.
When water conditions are clean, the spanish mackerel have shown up.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that surf anglers are mostly seeing the typical summertime bottom species, with efforts producing sea mullet and croakers.
Soundside, some quality speckled trout are being caught, and the action should only get better if this cooling trend continues.
Anglers have started seeing false albacore showing up off the beach.
Charleton, of Frisco Rod & Gun, reports that surf anglers have been catching a few decent-sized pompano.
Spanish mackerel have moved in tight to the beachfront at times. For the most part, the best action is in the early mornings, but even then, on some days they are there, and on some days they are not.
A few slot-sized red drum have been mixed in the surf catches.
Anglers out at the Point have been landing ribbonfish.
Back in the sound, anglers have found slightly slower speckled trout action compared to the overall strong summer trout bite.
Puppy drum are scattered around the sound.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore trips have done well with blackfin tuna.
Scattered mahi are also coming in.
Water temperatures are starting to cool slightly, and with that temperature shift, the wahoo bite should be picking up.
The billfish action is steady, with plenty of release flags flying over the course of any given week.
Inshore trips have been hooking a lot of speckled trout, a ton of bluefish, and scattered red drum.
Justin, Bryce, and Tim (not pictured) McNight with one of the citation red drum they landed in the lower Neuse River on cut mullet. They were fishing with Capt. Dave Hegel of Pamlico Pirate Fishing Charters.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that speckled trout fishing has been pretty good using smaller jig heads (1/4 oz.).
The red drum bite has finally started picking up now that area water temperatures are sliding down from summertime highs. Both cut bait fishing and sight casting techniques are having success. Off the beach, spanish mackerel and bluefish have been around in good numbers. For both species, trolling has been the top tactic.
Don’t forget that September is an excellent time to catch cobia as they move back south through the area. These cobia can be targeted by fishing cut or live bait and by sight casting.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that offshore boats are starting to get some nice wahoo (both in sizes and numbers) while pulling high speed setups, and quite a few chances to hook into a blue marlin are still around.
Dolphin action can be either really good or a miss. Finding some sort of floating debris, which could be a tree or anything similar, really determines the action on any given day.
Nearshore trolling efforts are producing all the spanish mackerel you want.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that some quality wahoo are starting to show up on trips, which a great sign as we move into fall.
A smaller class of blackfin tuna have been mixed in, with the opportunity to also see some yellowfins as we move through September.
Zane, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been catching quite the mixed bag of summer bottom species, including croakers, spot, sea mullet, bluefish, and pompano.
Some red drum are around, though the bite won’t really start to fire up until moving further into September and its cooler temperatures.
Soundside anglers are hooking a bunch of quality speckled trout, bluefish, and good numbers of puppy drum.
Bigger pompano are being caught just inside the inlets.
The bite hasn’t quite turned on, but anglers bottom fishing the inlet around sunset have found a handful of citation red drum.
