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Winter · JANUARY
What's biting in January on the Outer Banks?
Deep winter on the Banks: the ocean beach is quiet, the sound and the inlets are not, and striped bass are the reason to get up early.
January at a glance
- Prime
- Running
Prime is the target. Running is the bonus: here, but not at its best.
| Species | Tier | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Red Drum | Running | Sound-side puppy drumRunning |
| Bluefish | Running | In the mix through January.Running |
| Striped bass | Prime | The best winter bite on the Banks: inlet edges and deep sound water.Prime |
| Speckled trout | Running | In the mix this month.Running |
| Tautog | Running | Structure fish. Green crabs fished tight to the rocks.Running |
Bait to carry
Cut mullet
Bottom-fished near an inlet or a sound hole, where the cold fish hold.
Three moves for January
The practical side of January, in three steps.
Fish the sound holes and deep channels. The ocean side is mostly slow.
Striped bass want cut bait on the bottom near slack water, not a fast lure.
Slow down. Cold fish do not chase. Let the bait sit.
The ocean beach is slow in January. The sound and the inlets do the work. Dress for the wind.
Related guides
BAITS
What should I put on the hook this month?
January bait, species by species, starting from cut mullet.
SINKERS
What size sinker do I need today?
Pick the weight for January fishing before you leave the house.
TIDES
What tide is it right now, and does it matter?
Does the tide matter for Striped bass? The guide reads the water as it stands.
Updated Oct 30, 2026