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.
June 24, 2024
Ocean
Offshore fishing out of Hatteras showed improvement after a previous, somewhat slow period. Dolphin of all sizes and blackfin tuna continued to make up the bulk of the catch, and catch rates made a noted increase in frequency. Billfish catch-and-release action made a modest improvement in regularity, as well. Fishing the bottom in deep water yielded triggerfish and assorted groupers on a daily basis. Nearshore activity remained low; fishing was better elsewhere.
Offshore fishing via Oregon Inlet was moderate to good on most outings with anglers catching their limits of bigeye tuna, moderate to high amounts of dolphin, moderate amounts of blackfin tuna and yellowfin tuna, and a few wahoo, blueline tilefish, and Atlantic bonito.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Fishing from Hatteras to Oregon Inlet continued to be dominated by spotted seatrout. Anglers caught their limits with relative ease, including some citation sized fish. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel were caught collectively on a short-term basis in high volumes, along with moderate amounts of Atlantic bonito and red drum.
Catches from Oregon Inlet northward mirrored those of areas south of them with the addition of sheepshead caught in moderation.
Pier/Beach
Anglers fishing the southern Dare County beaches caught high numbers of red drum, most of them over-slot giants. Pompano catch rates improved in frequency with mole crabs (sand fleas) being the bait of choice. Kingfish (sea mullet) were caught in moderation including some citation sized fish. Bluefish were caught in moderation on an inconsistent basis. Catches along the northern Dare County beaches were dominated by bluefish and Spanish mackerel caught in very high numbers on a short-term basis by lucky anglers with a line in the water at the time of opportunity. Triggerfish, cobia, sheepshead, and kingfish (sea mullet) were also caught in low to moderate amounts, along with a host of other species in low amounts.
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.
June 24, 2024
Ocean
Offshore, strong easterly winds kept most boats fishing near shore. Saturday was nice, and boats were finally able to get offshore. and had nice catches of mostly reef fish, such as vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and keeper grouper. Nearshore fishing, from the beaches on out 8 to 10 miles, produced a few king mackerel and cobia, along with fair catches of Spanish mackerel.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Fishing was pretty typical for this time of year. Anglers caught slot-sized red drum and black drum throughout the area creeks and bays, as well as around area docks and jetties. Most anglers used fresh shrimp on a Carolina rig to target the drum. Sheepshead fishing was good, as well, and anglers targeted them around the jetties and docks using mud, fiddler, mole, and blue crabs for bait. The trout fishing wasn’t great, but anglers targeting them had some luck in the lower Cape Fear River. The early morning hours were the most productive time to target them.
Piers/Beach
Typical summertime catches were seen on area piers. Low amounts of spot, croaker, and sea mullets were caught on fresh shrimp and blood worms. Anglers targeting Spanish mackerel and bluefish did fair, even with the gusty east winds. Anglers using live bait, such as shrimp and finger mullet, reeled in some slot-sized red drum and black drum, along with some spotted seatrout. There weren’t many, but a handful of king mackerel were decked, and there were some tarpon releases. Unfavorable conditions and crowed beaches limited surf fishing.