The Outer Banks is in the heart of its spring action. Cobia are at peak along the beaches, Spanish mackerel are blitzing, and the puppy drum bite in the surf is excellent.
Cobia — Peak Run
The OBX cobia run is at peak this week. Sight-casting from the bow with bucktails is producing fish daily off Oregon Inlet, Avon, and Buxton. Live eels and small live menhaden on the chum bag at anchor will also produce. Boats running the beaches from Nags Head to Hatteras at slow trolling speeds are spotting fish constantly when the water is calm and clear.
Spanish Mackerel — Blitzing
Spanish mackerel are stacked along the beaches and offshore. Slow-trolled Clarkspoons on a planer in 30–50 feet is the high-volume approach. The piers (Nags Head, Avalon, Avon) are getting them on Gotcha plugs and small jigs. Some kings are mixed in on the deeper trolling lines.
Red Drum on the Beach
Puppy drum (slot reds) are blitzing in the surf from Hatteras north to Rodanthe at first and last light. Cut mullet on a fishfinder rig is the classic. Big bull reds are also showing — the Point at Hatteras is producing fish in the 40-plus inch range to anglers fishing fresh cut bait at night.
Offshore
The offshore charters are getting yellowfin tuna at the Point and in the Gulf Stream, with the first mahi of the year starting to show. Trolled ballyhoo and Ilanders is the standard.
Specific Spots This Week
For cobia, the beaches from Avon to Buxton on calm days are producing daily — slow-troll at idle speeds and watch the surface. The Hatteras sea buoys and inshore wrecks are also holding fish. Spanish mackerel are blitzing on bait pods from Oregon Inlet south to Buxton — slow-trolled Clarkspoons on a #1 planer in 30–50 feet. The piers (Nags Head, Avalon, Jennette’s, Avon) are all producing Spanish on Gotcha plugs. For puppy drum, the surf between Rodanthe and Salvo at first and last light on cut mullet is the consistent move. The Point at Hatteras at night is the spot for bull reds on fresh cut bait. Offshore the Diamond Shoals area is producing yellowfin and the first mahi.
Conditions and Outlook
Water temp 67–70°F. New moon Saturday — strong dawn bite. Light south winds Wednesday/Thursday, switching NE Saturday. Cobia from the beach in flat water is the headline.
Local Intel This Week
The Point at Cape Hatteras for cobia and big red drum — drum bite is at night on fresh cut bait. Oregon Inlet boats are doing best on cobia 5-10 miles east. Avon Pier produces Spanish mackerel and the occasional king on Gotcha plugs. Avalon Pier at first light for puppy drum on cut mullet. North Carolina coastal license required ($16 annual for residents), cobia slot 33+ inches, 1 per angler. Tight lines.