Fall in the Outer Banks (OBX) is a prime time for fishing, as the cooler temperatures spark a shift in the behavior of many fish species. With water temperatures dropping, baitfish like mullet and menhaden move closer to shore, and in turn, the larger predator fish follow. The result? An ideal environment for inshore and nearshore fishing, with fish feeding aggressively to bulk up before the leaner winter months. Whether you’re after the powerful red drum, quick-striking speckled trout, or the harder-to-catch flounder, the fall season brings a variety of opportunities for anglers of all experience levels. Each species reacts differently to the seasonal changes, making fall fishing in the OBX both exciting and rewarding. Let’s dive into what makes this time of year special for each fish species.
Fall Fishing in the OBX: Species, Behavior, and Best Catches
In the fall, as the water cools, many species in the OBX become more active, moving closer to shore to feed aggressively. The cooler temperatures push baitfish like mullet and menhaden into the shallows, and the larger predator fish follow, making it a prime time for inshore fishing.
Starting with red drum, these are one of the most iconic inshore species in the OBX during the fall. They’re recognizable by their reddish-bronze bodies and the distinctive black spot near their tail. In the fall, red drum are feeding heavily, following schools of baitfish like mullet into the shallower waters. They gather around areas with structure, such as grassy flats, marshes, and oyster beds. The cooler water in the fall triggers their aggressive feeding behavior, as they prepare for the leaner winter months when food becomes scarcer. They can grow large—sometimes over 40 inches—and are strong fighters, which is why they’re such a popular catch during the fall.
Next up is speckled trout, another highly sought-after fish in the fall. Speckled trout have sleek bodies covered in dark spots, which give them their name. They move from deeper waters into the shallows when the water cools down in the fall, often found in grassy flats and marshes where shrimp and smaller baitfish are abundant. The fall is prime time for speckled trout because the cooler temperatures make them more active and aggressive feeders. They’re especially active in the early morning and late afternoon when the water is coolest, and they tend to strike quickly when they find bait. They aren’t as large as red drum, but they’re fast and put up a good fight, especially when caught on light tackle.
Flounder are another species that become more active in the fall. Flounder are flatfish, with both eyes on one side of their body, which allows them to lie flat on the sea floor, blending into the sand or mud. They’re ambush predators, waiting for prey like small fish or shrimp to swim by before striking suddenly. In the fall, flounder move closer to shore and are often found near piers, docks, or channels where the currents bring prey their way. The cooler water pushes baitfish into these areas, making it easier for flounder to catch food. Because flounder hide on the bottom, you need to keep your bait close to the sea floor, but they’re more likely to bite in the fall because they’re feeding heavily to prepare for winter.
Croaker and spot are smaller fish, but they’re still important inshore species during the fall. Croaker get their name from the croaking sound they make, and they have a silvery appearance with some faint stripes. They often school in large numbers and are closer to shore in the fall, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They’re not huge, but they can be caught in high numbers, making them a fun target for those looking to catch many fish quickly. Spot are similar to croaker in both size and behavior. They also school in large numbers and are often used as live bait for bigger fish. Both croaker and spot move closer to shore in the fall because the cooling water brings their prey into the shallows, making them more active and easier to catch.
Sheepshead are a unique inshore species that you’ll also encounter in the fall. These fish are known for their vertical black-and-white stripes, which give them a zebra-like appearance. They’re usually found around structures like rocks, pilings, and piers, where they feed on crustaceans like crabs and barnacles. Sheepshead have human-like teeth that help them crush their prey, and they’re a bit trickier to catch because they tend to nibble at bait. In the fall, they’re feeding more actively as the cooler water makes them hungrier, just like the other inshore species.
That brings us to pompano. These are smaller, silvery fish with a deeply forked tail, known for their delicious taste. Pompano tend to hang out in sandy areas near the surf, and in the fall, they come closer to shore to feed on small crustaceans like sand fleas and shrimp. The fall makes them more active as they prepare for the winter months, and they’re often caught from piers or right in the surf using lighter tackle.
Moving toward the end of the fall, striped bass begin to appear more frequently. Striped bass, or stripers, have long, silvery bodies with dark horizontal stripes running along their sides. They migrate along the East Coast, and as the water gets cooler, they move southward. In the later fall months, you’ll see them coming closer to shore in the OBX as they follow schools of baitfish, making them easier to catch. Stripers are known for their strong fight and size, which can make them a thrilling catch.
Now that we’ve covered the inshore species, let’s move into the nearshore species that become more active in the fall.
Spanish mackerel are sleek, fast swimmers with sharp teeth, and they have a greenish-blue back with silvery sides. They’re surface feeders and are often seen chasing smaller baitfish near the top of the water. In the fall, Spanish mackerel are more active because they’re feeding aggressively on baitfish, which are closer to shore due to the cooling water. You’ll often see them schooling and creating a lot of surface action when they’re feeding. Their speed and aggressive behavior make them exciting to catch, especially on lighter tackle.
King mackerel are larger than Spanish mackerel, and they tend to hang out further offshore. These fish are known for their silver bodies and sharp teeth. In the fall, king mackerel also feed aggressively as they prepare for winter. They’re often caught by trolling, which involves pulling bait or lures behind the boat to mimic the movement of baitfish. King mackerel put up a strong fight, making them a popular target for anglers during the fall months.
Next is cobia, a large, strong fish that can be found nearshore in the fall. Cobia have long, torpedo-shaped bodies and are usually dark brown or gray with a white belly. They often hang around structures like wrecks or buoys, feeding on smaller fish and crabs. In the fall, they move into nearshore waters to follow the baitfish migration. They’re powerful fighters and can grow quite large, making them a thrilling catch.
Bluefish are another nearshore species that become more active in the fall. They have a bluish-green back and sharp teeth, and they’re known for their aggressive feeding behavior. In the fall, bluefish school up and chase baitfish, often creating feeding frenzies near the surface. Their aggressive strikes make them exciting to catch, but you need to be careful of their teeth when handling them.
Black sea bass are bottom-dwelling fish that are often found near reefs or wrecks. They have dark, almost black bodies with a hint of blue or green shimmer. In the fall, they move closer to shore and are more active as they feed on crustaceans and smaller fish. Anglers usually target black sea bass by fishing near structures with bait on the bottom, as that’s where these fish tend to hide and hunt.
Finally, we have false albacore, tautog, and pompano. False albacore (or “little tunny”) look similar to tuna but are smaller, with a torpedo-shaped body and dark, wavy stripes along their back. They’re known for their speed and powerful runs when hooked, and in the fall, they’re feeding heavily nearshore. Tautog, often called “blackfish,” have thick bodies with tough jaws and feed on crabs and shellfish around rocky structures. In the fall, they’re more active as they feed aggressively to prepare for winter.
Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Fish the OBX
When fall hits the OBX, the water cools and the fish really start biting. It’s the kind of season where you don’t have to overthink it—you just grab your gear and head out. With red drum and speckled trout feeding closer to shore, there’s no better time to see what you can pull in. If you’ve been waiting to get out there, this is when the fishing really shines.