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.
For September 25 - October 1
Ocean
Storms continued to limit fishing effort. Anglers fishing out of Hatteras only caught a handful of wahoo, king mackerel, dolphin, and blackfin tuna due to the rough conditions. Nearshore activity was low. Offshore fishing out of Oregon Inlet was similar, with very limited catches of mostly bluefin and yellowfin tuna, as well as a few dolphin. Nearshore anglers had better catches of a variety of species, including large bluefish and Spanish mackerel, along with a few red drum, spotted seatrout, and little tunny (false albacore).
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Anglers fishing from Hatteras north to Oregon Inlet saw high numbers of very large bluefish, along with a moderate amount of over-slot red drum, spotted seatrout and flounder. Fishing from Oregon Inlet northward was dominated by both spotted seatrout and weakfish, with citation sized fish being a common occurrence. Good numbers of red drum of all sizes were caught, as were other species in lower amounts.
Pier/Beach
North beach anglers caught plenty of over-slot red drum, but not much else bit in the rough, turbulent waters. A handful of spot and croaker were caught by those fishing in the near shore surf zone. South beach catches were similar, with red drum being the most common species caught during the rough surf conditions. A few bluefish and Spanish mackerel were caught during the infrequent times when the surf wasn’t too rough.
For more information regarding the Central District Fishing Reports, please contact Jacob Stain.
For September 25 - October 1
Ocean
Anglers bottom fishing offshore primarily caught vermillion snapper and tomtates, while those trolling caught wahoo and tuna. Some sailfish were caught and released, as well.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Anglers fishing in and around the local inlets continued to catch red drum, as well as black drum, spotted seatrout, and flounder.
Piers/Beach
Anglers fishing off the area piers targeting bluefish and Spanish were able to take home some nice-sized ones. A decent number of king mackerel were landed, as well. Anglers that targeted flounder off the piers during the last week of the season were generally successful. Some slot-sized and over-slot red drum were landed also. Florida pompano were caught by those fishing the surf.
For more information regarding the Southern District Fishing Reports, please contact Dennis Trowell.
For September 25 - October 1
Ocean
Rough weather and high winds kept most boats at the dock. When the winds do die down, the month of October can be an excellent month for wahoo and sailfish. Near shore, the fall king mackerel bite kicked off last week off the Brunswick County beaches. Good numbers of both king mackerel and big Spanish mackerel were caught by anglers slow trolling live bait.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Anglers targeting flounder during the last week of the season did well. A good number of fish in the over 5-pound range were weighed in. Along with the flounder, anglers also saw decent catches of slot-sized red and black drum. Large, over-slot red drum were caught by those fishing at both the Masonboro and Little River rock jetties, as well as along the Brunswick County beaches. Those fishing around large schools of menhaden had the most success. Sheepshead were caught by those fishing around structure.
Piers/Beach
Area piers saw an outstanding week of fishing, with the first catches of spots showing up. Along with the spots, anglers also reeled in kingfish (sea mullet), pompano, red and black drum, spotted seatrout and flounder. Very good catches of both bluefish and Spanish mackerels, along with some nice king mackerel, were observed last week, as well. Surf fishermen caught much the same, with kingfish, pompano, and slot-sized red and black drum making up the majority of their catches.