Outer Banks fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. The fall run is building on the Outer Banks. The first northeast winds have stirred up the surf, the mullet are moving down the beach, and the drum are feeding. With the full moon on Saturday, it is a great week to be on the sand.
What’s Hitting
This week, red drum are feeding in the surf, including some big bull reds, especially around the points and sloughs. Black drum are also in the surf and around the inlets. Flounder are at the inlets and in the sounds. Speckled trout are showing in the marshes and creeks, and false albacore have started to arrive off Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also in the surf.
Where to Find Them
Drum are in the surf around Cape Point, the Oregon Inlet, and the Hatteras Inlet. Look for them in the sloughs and holes along the beach. Flounder are at the inlets and in the sounds, around structure. Speckled trout are in the marshes and creeks of Pamlico Sound. False albacore are off the capes.
Tides & Conditions
The full moon on Saturday and a stretch of northeast wind can make for rough surf conditions, which is often great for drum fishing. Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Keep an eye on the weather this time of year.
Tackle & Tactics
For drum in the surf, use a heavy surf rod with a fish-finder rig and a large circle hook, baited with cut mullet, menhaden, or a whole blue crab. For flounder, a live mud minnow or a soft plastic on a jig head. For speckled trout, a soft plastic or a live shrimp under a popping cork. For false albacore, cast small metal jigs or epoxy flies into the breaking fish.
Local Intel This Week
The beaches at Cape Point and along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore are world-famous for surf fishing. Check National Park Service rules for off-road vehicle permits and area closures. Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is another good option. Fish are concentrating in the sloughs and around the inlets. Check current North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries regulations, slot sizes, and seasons before keeping fish, as flounder and trout rules have changed in recent years.
This Week’s Tip
When surf fishing for drum, look for the deep holes and sloughs close to shore. These are the areas where the fish will feed, especially on a rising tide. Cast your bait to the edges of these deeper areas.
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