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.
May 6-12, 2024
Ocean
Offshore fishing out of Hatteras yielded limits of dolphin as well as some large blackfin tuna, blue marlin, king mackerel, wahoo, and skipjack tuna. Nearshore, the bite was dominated by over-slot red drum. Offshore fishing out of Oregon Inlet produced large catches of yellowfin tuna as well as some dolphin, blueline tilefish, and blue marlin. The nearshore bite remained consistent as anglers caught a mix of spotted sea trout, bluefish, and red drum along with large numbers of dogfish.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Inshore fishing out of Hatteras produced high numbers of cobia, bluefish, and red drum and moderate numbers of sheepshead. North of Oregon Inlet, the bite strong and dominated by spotted sea trout and bluefish.
Pier/Beach
Bluefish, red drum, and kingfish were caught in high numbers throughout Dare County beaches.
For more information regarding the Central District Fishing Reports, please contact Jacob Stain.
May 6-12, 2024
Ocean
Offshore bottom fishing produced consistent vermillion snapper, spot tail pinfish, and black sea bass. Bonito and Spanish mackerel were active around nearshore artificial reefs. Anglers trolling offshore landed wahoo, dolphin, blackfin tuna, and cobia.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Fishing around marshes was productive, yielding weakfish, bluefish, sea mullet, and red drum.
Piers/Beach
Anglers fishing on local piers and beaches caught primarily sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish.
For more information regarding the Southern District Fishing Reports, please contact Dennis Trowell.
May 6-12, 2024
Ocean
Bluewater fishing picked up last week. May is typically a great time to catch dolphin, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and blue marlin, and the bite typically improves as the month goes on. In deep water from 130 to 240 feet, scamp, red grouper, and gag tend to be the most active during May. Vermillion snapper, gray triggerfish, hogfish, and many other reef fish can also typically be found in the same areas. Closer to shore, at depths around 80 feet, anglers caught large black sea bass and gag grouper. The nearshore bite was dominated by Spanish and king mackerels as well as chopper bluefish.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Not much changed inshore last week. Anglers primarily landed slot size red drum, black drum, and sheepshead around docks, jetties, and creeks.
Piers/Beach
The piers and beaches continued to produce occasional king mackerel as well as decent numbers of bluefish, Spanish mackerel. Fresh shrimp fished on bottom rigs produced sea mullet, black drum, and pompano.