Cameron, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the area is seeing a mix of both puppy drum and big bulls being caught from the surf and local piers.
A decent amount of bluefish are in the area, and most of them are in the 2-4 lb. range.
Big sea mullet have shown up for those putting in bottom fishing efforts.
Anglers fishing the Little Bridge are catching some speckled trout in the early mornings.
Scattered redfish and bluefish are making up the majority of the action from the Bonner Bridge. With water temperatures cooling down, the sheepshead have seemingly moved out.
Soundside, anglers are catching decent numbers of speckled trout and redfish while throwing popping corks rigged with soft plastics.
When boats get offshore, they are finding tuna and mahi.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Charters, reports that a quick drop in water temperatures has been pushing speckled trout into the creeks.
Plenty of bluefish are around, and they are eagerly willing to strike the same baits used for targeting trout.
Some slot and over-slot red drum are in the sound and on the flats closer to the inlet. Working these areas during an outgoing tide has produced the better action.
Ben, of Salty Waters OBX, reports that speckled trout fishing has been really good. With water temperatures now really cooling off, these fish are starting to move away from the inlets as they head towards their wintering areas. Anglers will do best by looking either north towards the Currituck Sound or west into the Albemarle and Pamlico areas. Popping cork setups remain the go to option. Both Z-Man and Gulp soft plastics in darker colors have been the favorite choice, and one color in particular that has been especially productive is the Creole Croaker from Z-Man.
Some red drum are mixed in around the area. These fish are mostly on shallow grass flats that have some sandy areas mixed in.
A bunch of flounder are mixed in the action.
While it’s not something being targeting just yet, anglers fishing around bridges are finding the occasional striped bass.
Les, of Fishing Unlimited, reports that anglers fishing from the surf and local piers have been catching bluefish, puppy drum, and some spot.
The area is still seeing the occasional big red drum caught, especially when there are north winds.
Anglers fishing the Little Bridge are catching croakers, some speckled trout, and the occasional puppy drum.
Jack, of Afishionado Charters, reports that the blackfin tuna have been thick for anglers taking off from Oregon Inlet. Mini spreader bars and Green Machines have been the top producing rigs in the spread.
There has been an up-and-down showing of yellowfin tuna in the mix. The bite hasn’t been consistent. Sea Witch skirts rigged with ballyhoo have been the best producer, in addition to the same lures being used for enticing the blackfins.
McKayla, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the yellowfin tuna action has been going strong, with some fall-time blackfins also in the mix.
A handful of billfish releases are happening during the weather stretches when winds allow boats to get offshore.
Late season mahi have been making a decent showing, too.
Nearshore trips are doing well with false albacore, spanish mackerel, red drum, and a bunch of good-sized bluefish.
Soundside anglers are enjoying a solid speckled trout bite, and mixed in the inshore action are plenty of bluefish and some slot-sized red drum.
Meredith, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that boats have been happy to still find (on occasion) limits of mahi.
The fall tuna bite has been going well, with yellowfin tuna and scattered blackfins in the mix.
Nearshore trips are finding spanish mackerel and plenty of bluefish.
In the sound, speckled trout have been the top target.
Brian, of Nags Head Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing some decent-sized sea mullet and a few bluefish.
When the water conditions are stirred up, the puppy drum action has been productive.
Joe, of Avalon Pier, reports that the fishing action has been a little slow, with scattered puppy drum and bluefish making up the majority of the catches.
Paul, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching some good-sized red drum in the surf. The local piers are seeing bigger drum mixed in with slot fish, especially when conditions are stirred up.
A bunch of bluefish can be found along just about all of the Outer Banks beaches (from Corolla to Ocracoke).
Smaller bottom fishing setups are catching spot, croakers, and sea mullet.
Local anglers have started to see the first signs of speckled trout showing in the surf. These first fish have mostly been smaller, though.
Efforts down around the inlet have been producing good numbers of speckled trout, and anglers fishing in the sound out behind the shop have been hooking red drum using cut bait.