Outer Banks NC · United States

Cape Hatteras Offshore fishing forecast

94 Good of 100

Cape Hatteras Offshore is a saltwater fishing spot in Outer Banks NC, United States. Anglers here target Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Atlantic Blue Marlin. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September, October.

Quick answer

Best monthsMay, June, July, August

Top speciesYellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi

Score now94/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

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Today’s verdict

Ranks #29 of 409 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

In line with this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals

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

Helping the score most

Water temperature+25.0Chlorophyll+18.0Current+18.0

Pressure trend

Pressure data unavailable

Best window today

05:00 · Light wind (0 km/h) and calm seas

Next solunar peak

minor 08:34

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	18.8 °C
Wind	35 km/h from NNE, gusting 44 km/h
Wave height	2.7 m at 9 s
Current	0.16 m/s toward WSW
Pressure	1018 hPa
Depth	2 m
Cloud cover	0%
Chlorophyll	1.99 mg/m³
Salinity	33.1 PSU
Mixed-layer depth	21 m
UV index	0
Wind sea	1.0 m at 4 s
Ground swell	1.3 m at 9 s from ENE
Current shear (surface vs 50 m)	0.16 → 0.00 m/s

Nearest buoy: Cape Hatteras East, NC (250) (22 km): water 18.8 °C, waves 2.7 m

The water here is 2.8 °C cooler than the October average of 21.6 °C. Cooler-than-normal water slows the bite for warm-water species and holds cool-water species shallower for longer. The water is mixed to about 45.0 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.

Tide now: Rising · turns in 307 minTide is an approximate harmonic prediction — confirm with local tide tables.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Cape Hatteras Offshore

Cape Hatteras Offshore currently scores 94 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 18.8 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +25.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Chlorophyll +18.0: plankton density — the base of the food chain
Current +18.0: moving water concentrates bait
Thermal front +6.4: temperature edges concentrate bait and predators
Chlorophyll front +4.1: a plankton edge — classic feeding line
Barometric pressure +3.3: falling pressure often triggers feeding

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

Waxing Gibbous · 90% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Cape Hatteras Offshore:

Score history at this spot

30 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-09-29, 97/100

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

3 points below the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

Sea

Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.

Access & shore

Best reached by boat · offshore ground

What you can catch

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares
Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri
Mahi-Mahi

Coryphaena hippurus
Atlantic Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Best months by species at Cape Hatteras Offshore

Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
WahooAcanthocybium solandri
Mahi-MahiCoryphaena hippurus
Atlantic Blue MarlinMakaira nigricans

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

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.

Some rules may have changed since our last verification — always confirm with the authority before you fish.

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