Release

 Excellent Year Round Fishing off World Famous Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Fishing Seasons

Our fishing seasons in Hatteras are very dynamic and seem to change a little year to year.  Of course weather is the big factor that controls the day-to-day changes.  Warm fall weather will delay the Tuna fishing into November/December just like a cold spring will keep the Tuna fishing good until June.  We have some of the most unique climate conditions in the world that make our fishing world-class year round.  The warm blue water of the Gulf Stream is only 20 miles offshore even in the middle of the winter where it collides with the cold Labrador current coming from the North.  These conditions produce a mixture of sea life that is unbelievable at times.  You will see bait, birds, turtles, whales, sharks and even big game fish will be close by.  This creates a Thanksgiving feast for the large pelagic predators (tuna, marlin, wahoo, and dolphin) that we are looking for.  It is like being in a giant aquarium some days seeing all this marine life.

 

Blue Marlin―King of the Ocean

 

 May – August―Excellent

 September, October and April―Fair

 

 We usually catch 15 – 20 per year so it is truly a catch of a lifetime.  Average weight is around 300 pounds but it's not unusual to see a 400 to 500 pounder.   Catching a Blue Marlin is always a "catch and release" unless tournament fishing.

White Marlin

 

 June and July―Excellent

 May, August and September―Good

 April and October―Fair

 

 It is the smaller version to the Blue Marlin but they are a blast to catch.  When they come after both teasers with their peck fins lit up bright blue excitement is a guarantee.  They are a challenge to hook but usually jump all over the ocean when they are hooked.

Sailfish

 

 June, July, August, September―Excellent

 April, May, October―Fair

 

 Another great billfish that usually averages around 40 pounds but are also a challenge to hook.  They have a large sail on their back so they are super impressive when jumping.  It is not uncommon to get 3 or 4 in the spread at one time so a fire drill is usually normal procedure.  Again, all of our billfish are normally released.

 

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

 May – September―Excellent

 April, November―Fair

 

 Dolphin is definitely the #1 caught fish in Hatteras.  We catch them from early April through December all shapes and sizes.  The good gaffer (8 – 40 pounds) starts in May and usually goes to the first of July.   We catch the big ones all season but that would be the peak.  In the summer months we limit out (10/person), on the bailers (3 to 6 pounds) on most days.  They are beautiful fish that jump and fight really hard for their size not to mention they are great table fare.  If you want to make your kids smile then take them dolphin fishing next summer.

 

Yellowfin Tuna and Bluefin Tuna

 

 October – December, March – May―Excellent

 June – Sept―Fair

 

 Everyone wants to catch TUNA!  They are beautiful fish, fight hard and are so delicious!  Normally, the better fishing is during the cooler months but they are here year-round.  Don't be surprised to have a nice catch in July.  We use many different techniques and lures so it's not unusual to try trolling, jigging, chunking―even spreader bars and kite fishing to catch these elusive gamefish.

 

Wahoo

 

 May, June, August and September―Excellent

 Remainder of the year―Good

 

 Catching a Wahoo every single month of the year is definitely doable if you fish for them. I love Wahoo Fishing!  We use two methods to catch them:  fast trolling (14 knots) and regular trolling (7 knots).  Either way the bite is usually fast and furious.  You really have to reel hard to stay up with them.  They are photo perfect right out of the water.  Be careful to avoid their razor sharp teeth.

 

Big Bluefin Tuna

 

 December – March―Excellent

 April, November―Good

 

 These are the Wicked Tuna!  They average 300 pounds in the winter months and they literally wear you out.  We normally use heavy tackle 80s or 130s but some anglers like to try them on spinning or jigging rods with 50 – 80 pound test braided line.  I like the light tackle if my anglers want to catch them that way.  Most of these fish are truly trophy fish.

 

King Mackerel

 

 October – December―Excellent

 April, May, September―Good

 

 If you have never been live baiting for King Mackerel then you are missing out on some world-class exciting fishing.  Watching a big “Smoker” King (40 pounds) jump out of the water about 30 feet from the boat with a menhaden in his mouth will get your adrenalin pumping.  We catch our limit (3/person) most days in the fall.  You will usually encounter some other trophy fish while live baiting such as Blue Marlin, White Marlin (138 and 123 pound caught this Fall), citation Blackfin,  Yellowfin, and Wahoo.  It is one of my favorite fishing trips.

 

Amberjack, Barracuda

 

 April – October―Excellent

 November – March – Good

 

 These species are usually found around structures within a wreck or on some rocky bottom holding bait.  Jacks are hard fighters.  Barracudas are more like Mackerel with fast runs.  They both are usually caught with jigging tackle using some type of metal jig.  Both are pretty white meat and are surprisingly good to eat.

 

Skipjack Tuna, False Albacore (Little Tuna) and Bonita

 

 April – December―Excellent

 

 We catch these tuna species almost on a daily basis.  They are good fighters and some are okay as table fare.  Most of the time we cut them up as bait to catch dolphin or bottom fish.

 

Cobia

 

 May, June―Excellent

 July – September―Fair

 

 We normally do not target Cobia.  When running back inshore in the afternoon in May or June, cobia are often found on top so we often sight cast to them to try our luck.  It's always a ton of fun because they average over 30 pounds.  They are also very good to eat.  I'm always eager to run all day Cobia trips if you are interested.

 

Bottomfish

 

 Year-round―Excellent

 

 We have some excellent bottom fishing off Hatteras but there are seasons and limits on all of them.  Check with me to see what's open and how many you can catch.  I have caught Summer Grouper up to 65 pounds, Golden Tile up to 67 pounds, Blueline Tilefish up to 17 pounds and plenty of Black Sea Bass and Gray Triggerfish that were citations.  We also catch Vermillion Snapper (B-liners), Silver Snappers (Porgy) and many other bottom fish.

 

Captain Rom Whitaker     PO Box 150     Hatteras, North Carolina  27943    Docked at Hatteras Harbor    Phone 252-986-1031 &  252-216-6106

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