Spot

Season in Outer Banks

Peak months: Oct, Nov.

Surf or Sound: spot through the fall season; Island Free Press: small spot on Hatteras and Rodanthe beaches and pier in August. NCDMF: spot move offshore in winter. Duck averages 43 to 52 F December to March (NCEI). (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Piers and the first trough during the fall run.

Bottom, close in.

What to look for

Pier crowds with bloodworms in October.

Bait

Bloodworms (top bait), Shrimp bits, Fishbites bloodworm. Double-drop, #4 to #6 hooks, 1 to 3 oz.

Leader

15 to 20 lb.

Common mistakes

• Hooks too large

Landing

Simple.

Handling

• Minor spines

No special hazards.

Keep or release

Good eating and prime live bait. Check state rules.

Recipes for spot

Typical: About 8 in, 0.5 lb. Large: Over 0.75 lb. SC record 1 lb 1 oz.

Limits

FishOS has not checked the NC limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Surf or Sound Realty: Hatteras Island surf fishing seasons (Angler knowledge)
• Island Free Press: Outer Banks Angling, fishing report for Aug 19 to 24 (Rob Alderman, 2010) (Angler knowledge)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries species profile: spot (Official source)
• NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide: monthly average water temperatures, all stations (Official source)
• ASMFC 2017, Atlantic Sciaenid Habitats (Habitat Management Series 14): Spot chapter (Official source)
• SCDNR species profile: spot (Official source)

All the fish of Outer Banks