Northern District NCDMF Fishing Report



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Northern District Dare, Hyde, Currituck, & Beaufort Counties
Contact: Brian Melott Winter Overview (weekly reports return Easter, 2010)
For the 2009 fishing year, all owners/operators of vessels recreationally fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling permit. This permit has replaced the Atlantic tunas Angling category permit. In North Carolina, additional HMS harvest reporting requirements are also in place.

Report a tagged fish

Please Note: Anglers sometimes confuse small king mackerel with Spanish mackerel. King mackerel and spanish mackerel have different size and catch limits. Make SURE you properly identify the mackerel you are catching. (Tips here)

A recreational Recreational Fishing License went into effect Jan. 1, 2007 for all of the state's coastal and ocean waters.

Spotted Seatrout - new size limits went into effect October 5, 2009 - See Rec. Guide
Snapper/Grouper - new rules effective September 18, 2009 - See Rec. Guide

Ocean: Winter anglers catch plenty of yellowfin tuna when conditions permit along with a few wahoo and dolphin to make for some good offshore action. Midrange anglers target striped bass and red drum during the winter season with moderate-good success. Find a regional fishing Web site that reports daily catches or contact a local tackle shop for up to date fishing reports.

The vermilion snapper closed season began Nov. 1, and it will not reopen until April 1, 2010 (See link above for more information)

Inlets/Sounds/Bays: Inshore activity will be heavy when weather conditions permit with most anglers targeting striped bass, which are often found throughout the Roanoke, Croatan, and northern Pamlico sounds especially near bridges or any other structure. There will also be some good winter catches of spotted seatrout and red drum (they have been everywhere throughout the year), A good place to try would be Oregon Inlet's Green Island Slough from pre-dawn to mid-morning hours.

Piers/Shore: Piers are currently closed, most will re-open around Easter. Beach anglers can have a tough time fishing this time of year due to rough surf and adverse weather, but once again, when conditions permit, some of the largest red drum and striped bass are taken from the surf. Bluefish blitzes can happen this time of year and offer anglers some short-term active fishing. Don’t forget about the possibility of some excellent speckled trout surf fishing this winter on the southern beaches (Rodanthe southward).

General Overview: Adverse weather is the main enemy of winter anglers. When the weather is favorable fishermen should seize the moment. Good luck in your winter season fishing effort!

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