Recreational Fishing Reports
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries interviews anglers throughout the coast to estimate marine recreational fishing catch. The following regional fishing reports are updated weekly and compiled by DMF port agents as they observe and interview fishermen at access sites along the coast — more than 500 anglers are interviewed each week.
Please note: New fishing reports are posted each week during the height of fishing season.
Interested in fisheries statistics, including updated recreational tuna and billfish landings? Learn more on the Fisheries Statistics page.
Regional Reports
For more information regarding the Northern District Fishing Reports, please contact Brian Melott.
April 15-21, 2024
Ocean
Offshore success out of Hatteras improved significantly compared to previous weeks. Wahoo, dolphin, and blackfin tuna were all caught in moderation. Bottom fishing in deep waters produced triggerfish and vermillion snapper. Nearshore activity was very low and unproductive. Offshore fishing out of Oregon Inlet showed similar improvement. A few quality bluefin tuna were caught, and anglers caught yellowfin tuna in moderate to high numbers. Nearshore anglers found moderate numbers of spotted seatrout and black seabass along with seemingly endless spiny dogfish.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Catches from Hatteras north to Oregon Inlet were dominated by bluefish and red drum of all sizes, including some over-slot giants. North of Oregon Inlet, anglers had more diverse catches. The spotted seatrout bite strengthened significantly in the Croatan and Roanoke Sounds.
Pier/Beach
Anglers in southern Dare County beaches were pleased to find increased success targeting both red drum and black drum, with catches across the size spectrum. Anglers in northern Dare County beaches caught primarily puffers and large sea mullet, along with high numbers of skates and dogfish.
For more information regarding the Central District Fishing Reports, please contact Jacob Stain.
April 15-21, 2024
Ocean
Weather conditions affected fishing effort throughout the week, but anglers were rewarded when they chose to make the trip. Bottom fishing produced vermillion snapper and black sea bass. Trolling offshore produced blackfin
tuna, wahoo, and small dolphin. Anglers also had luck catching bonito around nearshore artificial reefs.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Anglers fishing around the Newport River caught weakfish, bluefish, red drum, and even some Spanish mackerel. Further out, near the inlet, the sea mullet bite was consistent.
Piers/Beach
Anglers on piers caught primarily bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sea mullet, and black drum.
For more information regarding the Southern District Fishing Reports, please contact Dennis Trowell.
April 15-21, 2024
Ocean
Offshore fishing success increased with decent catches of blackfin tuna, as well as a few dolphin and wahoo in the mix. The dolphin and billfish bite should strengthen in the coming weeks. Those fishing the bottom caught high numbers of vermilion snapper, gray triggerfish, and a wide assortment of other reef fish. Closer to shore, king mackerel began to appear in the 20-mile range, along with some big chopper bluefish and black sea bass. Nearshore fishing remained strong as plenty of Spanish mackerel and Atlantic bonito were landed.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Not much changed from the previous week. Anglers mostly targeted slot-size red drum and black drum around docks, jetties, and oyster beds using fresh shrimp for bait. Spotted seatrout were caught consistently in the 2-to-3-pound range. The creeks behind Masonboro Island, the creeks and bays in the lower Cape Fear River, and the marshes and creeks in southern Brunswick County were all good places to look for trout. Sheepshead were also caught. The Little River and the Masonboro rock jetties were good places to fish for them.
Piers/Beach
As is typical this time of year, Gotcha style plugs and metal jigs lured Spanish mackerel and bluefish on all area piers. Sea mullet fishing was good when anglers used fresh shrimp for bait. Pier anglers also caught harvestable black drum and pompano. Surf fishermen had a similar bag, reporting catches of primarily black drum, sea mullets, and bluefish.