NW Atlantic · United States

Cape Hatteras NC fishing forecast

68 Good of 100

Cape Hatteras NC is a saltwater fishing spot in NW Atlantic, United States. Anglers here target Red Drum, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Striped Bass. The most productive months are typically April, May, June, September, October, November.

Quick answer

Best monthsApril, May, June, September

Top speciesRed Drum, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Striped Bass

Score now68/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

In line with this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±7 points, from 7 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+18.9Chlorophyll+16.9Waves+9.0

Working against it

Marine heatwave-2.0

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Next solunar peak

major 09:06

Current conditions

Live conditions are temporarily unavailable for this spot (last data Sep 2, 2026). Seasonal and regulation info below is unaffected.

What the score means at Cape Hatteras NC

Cape Hatteras NC currently scores 68 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 29.1 °C. 7 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +18.9: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Chlorophyll +16.9: plankton density — the base of the food chain
Waves +9.0: swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +7.2: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Chlorophyll front +5.0: a plankton edge — classic feeding line
Thermal front +4.3: temperature edges concentrate bait and predators

What’s biting now

The model expects today: striped-bass, bluefin-tuna, bluefish, red-drum, weakfish, northern-kingfish, common-octopus, amberjack

[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately

Bite windows

Moon

Waning Gibbous · 72% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Cape Hatteras NC:

Score history at this spot

8 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-07-29, 77/100

5 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

9 points below the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

Ocean

Open-water marine fishing — conditions can change quickly with offshore weather, so watch the live wind and wave forecast closely before and during your trip.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · offshore-only

What you can catch

Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus
Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Best months by species at Cape Hatteras NC

Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus
Atlantic Bluefin TunaThunnus thynnus
Striped BassMorone saxatilis

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Species	Bag limit	Min size	Open season
Red Drum	1/day	45.7–68.6 cm slot	Jan 1 – Dec 31
Federal waters Gulf of Mexico: 1 fish/day, 18–27" slot. Atlantic federal rules differ.
Striped Bass	1/day	71.1–78.7 cm slot	Jan 1 – Dec 31
Federal Atlantic EEZ: 1 fish, 28–31" slot limit. State waters have separate rules.

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.