North Carolina · Outer Banks
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Cape Hatteras is legendary in the fishing world — the Gulf Stream runs closest to shore here, making it one of the best offshore fishing locations on the entire East Coast.
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
P | P | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | P |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | P | P | G |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | F | - | - | F | G | G | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | G | G | G | F | F | G | P | P | P | G |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | - | - | - | F | G | F | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | F | G | G | G | F | F | G | F | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | F | P | P | F | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | F | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | G | P | G | - | - | G | P | F | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | F | P | P | G | F | F | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | P | P | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | G | P | P | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | F | F | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | P | P | F |
17+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersFish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDeep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersCover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersDrop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersSight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersFish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersPaddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing ChartersLocal insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Hatteras.
Seasonal Guide
The fall red drum run at Cape Hatteras draws anglers from across the country. Massive schools of bull reds hit the surf ...
Read MoreThe Gulf Stream passes closer to Hatteras than anywhere else on the East Coast. That proximity creates a world-class off...
Read MoreMade the run to the Gulf Stream and found the warm blue water loaded with bait. Raised three blue marlin on the spread and hooked two, releasing a gorgeous fish estimated at over 400 pounds. Hatteras is the blue marlin capital of the East Coast for a reason.
Trolled the Gulf Stream edges off Hatteras and found yellowfin tuna busting on the surface. Threw poppers and chunked butterfish into the school and it was nonstop action. We boated eight yellowfin between 30 and 60 pounds. The tuna fishing here is unrivaled on the Atlantic coast.
Fished the shallow flats of Pamlico Sound behind Hatteras and found massive schools of red drum tailing in the grass. Threw soft plastics on light tackle and it was fish-on every cast. Landed over 15 reds between 24 and 32 inches — the fall drum run at Hatteras is legendary.
Ran high-speed lures along the Gulf Stream edge and the wahoo were on fire. These fish hit like torpedoes and we boated five wahoo between 30 and 65 pounds. The speed and power of a Hatteras wahoo is something every offshore angler needs to experience.
Anchored over a nearshore wreck off Cape Hatteras Point and chummed with cut bait. Cobia started showing on the surface within minutes and we sight-casted live eels to them. Landed four cobia over 40 pounds — the convergence of currents at the Point brings in incredible fish.
Drifted soft plastics over the grass beds in Pamlico Sound and the speckled trout were on a serious feed. Landed 20 trout with several gator specks over 24 inches. The sound-side fishing at Hatteras gets overlooked because of the offshore bite, but it's absolutely world-class.
Post your trip request and let Hatteras's top captains compete for your business. Or browse available charters and book instantly.