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 fishing out of Hatteras improved though numbers have not been especially high. A variety of pelagic fish including wahoo, king mackerel, dolphin, yellowfin tuna, and blackfin tuna, were landed in moderate amounts. Deepwater bottom-fishing in deep water consistently yielded triggerfish and vermillion snapper. Nearshore activity was minimal and unsuccessful. Offshore fishing via Oregon Inlet produced high numbers of yellowfin tuna in the 30-50 pound range as well as some blackfin tuna and a few bluefin tuna, dolphin, and king mackerel. Nearshore anglers are caught a variety of species including some larger size bluefish reaching 6 to 8 pounds along with black seabass, red drum, spotted seatrout, and endless spiny dogfish.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Fishing south of Oregon Inlet improved significantly; anglers encountered red drum of all sizes including some over-slot giants, moderate amounts of sheepshead, and big bluefish. North of Oregon Inlet, anglers had a similar experience with the addition of striped bass and high numbers of blue catfish.
Pier/Beach
Anglers on southern Dare County beaches continue to catch both red & black drum with increased frequency including some citation size specimens. Larger bluefish were caught in increasing numbers. Anglers on northern Dare County beaches are catching large bluefish as well. Spotted seatrout were caught on a consistent basis including some citation size specimens.
For more information regarding the Central District Fishing Reports, please contact Jacob Stain.
April 15-21, 2024
Ocean
Anglers trolling offshore caught primarily wahoo and dolphins, and some anglers were fortunate enough to take on blue marlin. Artificial reefs continued to produce Atlantic bonito. Offshore bottom-fishing produced a standard mix of vermillion snapper, spottail pinfish, and black seabass.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Inshore anglers caught primarily weakfish, bluefish, and red drum.
Piers/Beach
Anglers fishing off the local pier caught primarily sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish.
For more information regarding the Southern District Fishing Reports, please contact Dennis Trowell.
April 15-21, 2024
Ocean
: Offshore, the spring gulfstream fishing has kicked off. The weather was cooperative and favorable this week and anglers were able to get offshore returning with decent catches of dolphin, wahoo, and blackfin tunas. A fair amount of billfish releases were reported consisting primarily of blue marlin. May 1 marks the opening of both the shallow water grouper season and cobia season. Bottom fishing was good recently as anglers returned with nice catches of vermilion snapper and some good size black sea bass. Closer to shore, king mackerel have finally showed up along area beaches. Anglers also reported large chopper size bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and even a few Atlantic bonito still hanging around.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays
Inshore fishing has improved since last week. There are some spotted sea trout around with most fish being keeper size. The bays and creeks in the lower Cape Fear River have produced some trout as well. Slot size red and black drum are being caught on fresh shrimp around area docks, jetties, and oyster reefs. Sheepshead are moving into their summertime haunts and anglers are having some success at finding them using fiddler and mud crabs for bait.
Piers/Beach
Last week was a big week as the first king mackerel of the year were landed at multiple piers throughout the area. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still being caught in good numbers with a definite uptick in the number of large chopper size blues being caught. Bottom fisherman had decent catches of sea mullet as well as slot size black drum and pompano. Surf anglers reported much the same reporting catches of slot size red and black drum along with some sea mullet and pompano. Fresh shrimp has been the bait of choice for anglers targeting sea mullet and pompano, and chunks of blue crab have worked well for anglers targeting drum from these shore base sites.