Through almost five decades of fishing the Outer Banks beaches, I’ve seen the spring surf fishing season kick off as early the first week of March. Many years ago we would see some terrific numbers of big croakers, jumbo bluefish, big red drum and gray trout in the two-pound class. Times have changed and those species aren’t available in the abundant numbers we used to see. Now the season typically kicks off with the appearance of dogfish and skates, and they are soon followed by blow toads, sea mullet, puppy drum and small bluefish. But, it’s all good and the spring surf fishing can be outstanding.

Fish don’t consult the calendar; their movements are dictated by the weather and the water temperatures and those same fish don’t move into our waters until the water temps are right. Seasoned surf anglers are ready to hit the beach when the water reaches the mid-fifties. The northern beaches are slower to warm, but along the beaches of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, the warm water usually arrives in late March to early April.

In addition to water temperature and weather, location is also an important piece of the fish catching puzzle. The movements of the Gulf Stream can directly affect the water along Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Warm days and nights, prompted by southerly breezes, will punch up the water temperatures along these southern facing beaches. Any time an eddy of warm water swirls off of the main currents of the Gulf Stream and gets pushed closer to shore by a southerly wind, the water temperature can also increase significantly. During April, it’s not unusual for the ocean water to be ten degrees warmer around Cape Point than it is at Oregon Inlet, sixty miles to the north.

Spring does not offer the variety of species that we see during the peak of the fall surf fishing in October and November, but surfcasters can find plenty to stretch their string, from trophy-sized red drum to the diminutive sea mullet. Look for the small stuff to show first, usually from the southern end of Hatteras Island down to Ocracoke.

Skates and dogfish aren’t the most popular fish on the block, but their arrival in the springtime surf is a signal that things are getting ready to happen. Croakers, sea mullet and blowtoads will trickle into the surf about the same time and may be mixed in with the doggies and skates. Add red drum, bluefish, small gray trout and flounder to this mix and the stage is set for some first rate fishing.

Red drum are the big boys of the spring surf, and may weigh up to fifty pounds or more. As with the other species, the South Beach of Hatteras Island will be the best bet for big drum in the spring, along with False Point near Hatteras Inlet and the southern tip of Ocracoke Island. However, Cape Point near Buxton is often ground zero for the best drum bites.

Large schools of drum congregate around the shallow water at the mouths of both Hatteras and Ocracoke Inlets, and along the treacherous Diamond Shoals. Boaters have the best shot at them, but a strong southeast or southwest wind will likely put them on the beach at The Point. Drum like to feed under the cover of darkness, so the one-two punch of a brisk southeast wind and rising evening tide is a dream come true for the local drum fishing crowd.

The beach near Hatteras Inlet can be a productive relief from the hectic Cape Point crowds. The shoals, shallow water and sandbars, in close proximity to deep water offer the right mix that acts as a magnet to feeding drum and the same weather conditions that produce at Cape Point will often trigger a drum bite here.

There are many alternatives to the tough task of landing a trophy red drum. Spring sea mullet fishing can be outstanding. The South Beach from Cape Point down to the Buxton Campground, and from beach access Ramp 55 down to Hatteras Inlet are typical hot spots for mullet in the three-quarter to one and half-pound range.

Tackle for sea mullet and other bottom feeders such as spot and croakers, is simple. The ever-popular two-hook bottom rig, with long shank spinner blade hooks in sizes from #2 to #4, account for a lot of fish. Two rigs, made by Morehead City based tackle manufacturer Sea Striker, will also produce. Both are designed for catching sea mullet, spot, and pompano from the surf.

One sports two small, brightly painted cork floats. The other features two gold finish hooks with a small plastic bead tied near the eye of the hook. Bait them with small pieces of bloodworm, shrimp, or tiny cubes of fresh mullet.

Bluefish, ranging from ½ pound to a few pounds, may also put on a good springtime show. Two-hook fireball rigs or bottom rigs baited with strips of fresh mullet are the best rigs for blues. Early mornings or late afternoons might find the blues feeding actively in the surf, with bait showering and birds working over them. That’s the time to fish a metal lure such as a Hopkins, Kastmaster, Gator or Stingsilver. For the smaller blues a wire leader isn’t necessary, but fish in the three-pound range might require a short piece of wire in front of the lure to prevent bite-offs.

Spring fishing can change about as often as the weather. A cool front with brisk northerly winds may cause the fish to develop a serious case of lockjaw and the fishing might shut down for a few days. The best bet for the latest scoop on both the weather and fishing is a local Hatteras or Ocracoke Island tackle shop, and a phone call prior to making a trip to the Outer Banks can point you in the right direction.