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.
July 14, 2024
Ocean
Offshore fishing out of Hatteras was good when the weather permitted. Moderate amounts of blackfin tuna and dolphin made up the bulk of the catch along with a few king mackerel and wahoo. Billfish catch and release action was consistent throughout the week with anglers catching mostly sailfish. Nearshore activity remained low and uneventful.
Offshore action via Oregon Inlet was very productive with high numbers of dolphin and blackfin tuna dominating the catch, and moderate amounts of bigeye and yellowfin tuna added to the bounty. Nearshore anglers caught high numbers of red drum, including some over-slot giants. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel were caught by the lucky anglers with a line in the water at the time of opportunity.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Fishing from Hatteras Northward to Oregon Inlet was very good with anglers catching their limits and citation size specimens of red drum, weakfish, spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel and bluefish offering plenty of table fare for anglers. Anglers fishing from Oregon Inlet Northward caught spotted seatrout in very high numbers along with a mixed bag of other species in low amounts.
Pier/Beach
Northern Dare County anglers caught quite a few red drum - most of them were over-slot giants. Pompano catches have made a noted improvement in frequency including some citation size specimens. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel were caught in moderation on a short-term basis.
Southern Dare County beaches produced a wide variety of species with none dominating the catch. Low to moderate amounts of pompano, red drum, kingfish, croaker, spot, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and both smooth and spiny dogfish kept anglers busy.
For more information regarding the Central District Fishing Reports, please contact Jacob Stain.
June 24, 2024
Ocean
Bottom fishing anglers reeled in gray triggerfish, vermillion snapper, spottail pinfish and black sea bass. Spanish mackerel were still active near artificial reefs close to shore. Offshore trolling yielded dolphin, wahoo, amberjacks, barracuda, and little tunny.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Anglers saw steady catches of spotted seatrout and red drum in the rivers. In the sounds, anglers had good catches of bluefish, black drum, and kingfish (sea mullet).
Piers/Beach
On the piers, anglers primarily hooked Spanish mackerel and bluefish. There were also catches of kingfish (sea mullet), pompano, and a few other local species.
For more information regarding the Southern District Fishing Reports, please contact Dennis Trowell.
July 14, 2024
Ocean
The weather conditions offshore were limiting last week, but there were a few days anglers were able to get offshore. The bottom fishing has been typical for this time of year with anglers bringing in a wide range of reef fish such vermilion snapper, gray triggerfish, scamp, and red grouper. The best fishing has been in the 40-to-50-mile range. Closer to shore the king mackerel fishing in the 8-to-10-mile range slowed with the rough sea conditions and heavy downpours. The Spanish mackerel fishing along the area beaches also seemed to slow some with the windy and rainy conditions.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Very little change inshore over the last few weeks as the weather has turned hot. There are some spotted seatrout around, but fishing in the early morning hours and at night around lighted docks and bridges has been the key to catching them. Anglers fishing the deeper holes and cuts in the local creeks, docks, and bridges have caught some slot size red and black drum. Sheepshead are a good summertime fish to target and can be found feeding on crabs and barnacles around docks, jetties, and bridges.
Piers/Beach
Fishing has been typical for July along all area piers. Anglers caught low amounts of spot, kingfish, and croaker on fresh shrimp and blood worms. Those using live shrimp and finger mullet caught spotted seatrout as well as slot size red and black drum. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are being caught on plugs with the early morning the most successful. King mackerel fishing slowed last week, with one or two fish being caught throughout the area along with some tarpon hookups and releases. Surf fishing activity has been low due to the large crowds at area beaches, but pompano, kingfish (sea mullet), red drum and black drum are a possibility for those who give it a try.