Sunny skies and calm waters make for the perfect fishing environment, and Outer Banks fishing is the best of both worlds. There are plenty of fun things to do on our stretch of barrier islands, but fishing takes the cake for many as far as outdoor recreation goes. In fact, the Outer Banks is proudly known as “The Billfish Capital of the World,” with hundreds of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish caught and released here each year. And while our waters are home to a wide variety of species, many anglers are drawn to the thrill of landing a billfish.
If you’re not the most experienced in the fishing realm or are unfamiliar with our area, the idea of fishing in the Outer Banks might feel intimidating. But that’s where we come in! We’ve put together this helpful guide to outline the best time to fish in North Carolina, along with other helpful tidbits like the best fishing spots and our favorite species to look out for.
Let’s get to it—here’s our guide on the best time to fish in NC.
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In this blog:
- OBX Fishing License Information
- When is the Best Time to Fish in North Carolina?
- Free Fishing Day NC
- Where Should We Fish on the Outer Banks?
- Best Bait for Surf Fishing NC
- Fishing Tournaments Near the Outer Banks
- Fish of the Outer Banks
- Book Your Angling Adventure Directly with Carolina Shores!
- Frequently Asked Questions
OBX Fishing License Information
Before you head out, make sure you’re up to date on your fishing license. If you plan to fish from a public pier or charter boat, you won’t need one, but if you’re surf fishing or renting your own boat, anglers 16 and older must have a license. They can be purchased online from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
When is the Best Time to Fish in North Carolina?
You can fish year-round on the Outer Banks, but of course, some months are more prime than others, depending on what you’re looking for. Let’s break it down by month:
Outer Banks Fishing by Month:
January
- Cold weather, very quiet beaches
- Offshore bluefin tuna (when weather cooperates)
- Surf fishing for striped bass and black drum
February
- Similar to January, with fewer people
- Offshore tuna is still possible
- Calm-day surf fishing can be solid
March
- Water warms, fish move inshore
- Red drum and speckled trout pick up
- Light crowds, relaxed fishing
April
- Great beach and pier fishing
- Striped bass and bluefish along the shore
- Warmer days without summer crowds
May
- One of the most versatile months!
- Cobia and Spanish mackerel arrive
- Surf, nearshore, or offshore options
June
- Offshore fishing ramps up
- Mahi-mahi and king mackerel are common
- Calmer seas, easy trip planning
July
- Peak summer action!
- Offshore tuna, marlin, and mahi
- Inshore is best early or late in the day
August
- Early mornings pay off to get catches and avoid the heat!
- Offshore fishing shines
- Wahoo and sailfish are possible
September
- Fewer crowds, comfortable weather
- Red drum and bluefish return to the surf
- Great beach and pier fishing
October
- October is one of the best times to fish the Outer Banks
- Bull red drum, striped bass, bluefish
- Excellent from beach, pier, or boat
November
- Quiet beaches and steady bites
- Striped bass and speckled trout active
- Laid-back fishing days
December
- Calm and uncrowded
- Surf fishing for striped bass and black drum
- Peaceful end to the season
Best Time for Surf Fishing
Surf fishing is a bit different than fishing from a pier or charter boat, as you’re casting directly from shore. You can still surf fish year-round, but winter is a bit harsher. It’s quite a productive activity all throughout the year, so if you’re prepared to bundle up, you might just get some great catches! April is the best month for surf fishing.
Free Fishing Day NC
What could be better than free fishing? On July 4th, everyone can fish for free in North Carolina! Of course, all other rules, such as size and possession limits, still apply, but if you’d like to rent a boat or go surf fishing and don’t want to purchase a license for just one day of fun, this is a great opportunity.
Where Should We Fish on the Outer Banks?
Fishing in the Outer Banks gives you a lot of options, and the best spot depends on how you want to fish. If you like keeping things simple, surf fishing lets you cast right from the beach. It's great for catching species like striped bass, red drum, bluefish, and black drum, especially around changing tides.
Piers give you easy access to deeper water without a boat and are a solid choice if you want consistent action and a beginner-friendly setup. Fishing in the sounds is calmer and works well if you prefer lighter tackle or are fishing with kids. Nearshore trips take you just off the coast for Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and cobia, while offshore fishing is the go-to if you’re chasing bigger species like tuna, mahi-mahi, marlin, and wahoo, and don’t mind a longer day on the water.
Here are a few local fishing piers to explore, all conveniently close to our Outer Banks vacation rentals! Make sure to double check their hours, as many are open seasonally:
- Kitty Hawk Fishing Pier
- Avalon Fishing Pier
- Nags Head Fishing Pier
- Jennette’s Pier
- Outer Banks Fishing Pier (South Nags Head)
- Bonner Bridge Pier
- Rodanthe Pier
- Avon Fishing Pier
Best Bait for Surf Fishing NC
If you’re newer to the game, you might not know exactly what you should use to get the best catch. If you need to know what bait to use for surf fishing, you’re in the right place!
Fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and cut mullet or menhaden are go-to baits for NC surf fishing, with many anglers adding Fishbites to increase scent and attraction. Fished on a two-hook bottom rig or fish-finder rig, they’re a proven choice for targeting red drum, speckled trout, pompano, and sea mullet.
Fishing Tournaments Near the Outer Banks
Looking to throw your hat in the ring for a prize this year? Plan your trip around one of these fishing tournaments!
- Hatteras Village Offshore Open (May 11-16, 2026)
- Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Tournament (June 8-14, 2026)
- Alice Kelly Ladies Billfish Tournament (August 3-9, 2026)
- Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament (August 8-14, 2026)
- Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge (September 21-27, 2026)
- Nags Head Surf Fishing Club Tournament (October 12-18, 2026)
See the full list on Outerbanks.com for more information on 2026 fishing tournaments!
Fish of the Outer Banks
As we mentioned before, the Outer Banks is referred to as the Billfish Capital of the World, so there’s an abundance of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish in our waters. Other popular fish species in OBX include:
- Bluefin Tuna
- Red Drum
- Speckled Trout
- Mahi-Mahi
- King Mackerel
- Bull Reds
- Striped Bass
- Black Drum
And so much more!
Book Your Angling Adventure Directly with Carolina Shores!
Well, there you have it! Now you know all the best spots to go, bait to use, and the wide variety of species available to you if you want to cast a line during your vacation. Whether you return home a champion or you end the day without a nibble, it’s all about the experience, and with the stunning surroundings of the Outer Banks around you, we know you’ll have a blast no matter what.
At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than returning to a vacation rental that feels like home away from home. With properties spanning the Outer Banks, our extensive array of vacation rentals is here to make your trip one to remember. Whether you want a pet-friendly property so you can bring your pup along, a hot tub to relax in, or a private pool for when you’re not out on the ocean, you can find all that and more in our catalog!
Ready to book? That’s great news. When you book your trip directly with us, you’ll save time, stress, and money—plus, you’ll have the benefit of a local team who’s ready to help should any issue arise. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Outer Banks! Browse our available Outer Banks vacation rentals now and book your trip directly with Carolina Shores!
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