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Fall · OCTOBER
What's biting in October on the Outer Banks?
October is the peak of the fall run. Bull drum at the points, big bluefish on the beach, and trout moving into the sound.
A October roster
- Prime
- Running
Read prime as go, and running as maybe: the species is here yet not at full strength.
| Catch | Rating | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Red Drum | Prime | Peak at Cape PointPrime |
| Sea Mullet | Prime | Fall runPrime |
| Pompano | Prime | PeakPrime |
| Bluefish | Prime | Fall runPrime |
| Spanish Mackerel | Running | The tail endRunning |
| Speckled Trout | Prime | Fall peakPrime |
| Flounder | Running | Moving outRunning |
| Black Drum | Prime | Fall bitePrime |
| Sheepshead | Running | The tail endRunning |
| Spot | Prime | Peak runPrime |
| Croaker | Running | The tail endRunning |
| King mackerel | Running | King mackerel run the beach and the piers in the warm months.Running |
| Striped bass | Running | Winter fish. Cut bait on the bottom near an inlet or a sound hole.Running |
Bucket pick
Fresh mullet
Fresh mullet or half a blue crab for the drum, the bait of the run.
Top picks this month
RED DRUM
Red Drum
The fall run at Cape Point is the best surf drum fishing on the East Coast. This is the setup that fishes it.
SEA MULLET
Sea Mullet
Sea mullet are the first fish back in the spring surf, and sand fleas are almost all you need.
POMPANO
Pompano
Pompano arrive with the warm water and leave just as fast. Sand fleas and a light rig are the whole game.
BLUEFISH
Bluefish
Blues will eat almost anything and fight like they mean it. Bring wire, because they cut leaders for a living.
October rules of thumb
Pocket-sized advice for a fall outing.
Fish the points on the falling tide. The drum are there and they are big.
Bluefish blitz the beach on a moving tide. Metal casts far and holds.
Trout start to show in the sound as the water cools.
October is the month people plan their year around. It can also blow for a week straight.
Next up
BAITS
What should I put on the hook this month?
October bait, species by species, starting from fresh mullet.
SINKERS
What size sinker do I need today?
Pick the weight for October fishing before you leave the house.
TIDES
What tide is it right now, and does it matter?
Does the tide matter for Red Drum? The guide reads the water as it stands.
Updated Oct 30, 2026