Coastal conditions
Shore · North Carolina · Mid-Atlantic / Northern Outer Banks
Duck / Northern Outer Banks is an exposed North Carolina oceanfront fishery centered on surf, beach structure, and pier-accessible Atlantic water. Red drum and bluefish are principal targets, with Spanish mackerel and sea mullet adding mobile pelagic and surf-zone variety.
Gale Warning
Severity: Moderate
Gale Warning issued October 20 at 3:00AM EDT until October 21 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Begins Oct 20, 2026, 3:00 AM · Ends Oct 21, 2026, 11:00 PM
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for hazardous conditions.
Fair
BetaConditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Do Not Go
Safety gate
An active marine warning affects this destination.
See the active alert cards above for official details.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 9:12 AM
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Source
Updated 7 min ago
Updated 7 min ago
Updated 7 min ago
Some observation sources are temporarily unavailable.
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 9:12 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 9:12 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1677 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 9:18 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 9:06 AM Range 1.0 ft MLLW to 5.5 ft MLLW.
Readings decreased over the available period.
1677 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 9:18 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 9:06 AM
North Carolina · Mid-Atlantic / Northern Outer Banks · Shore
Approximately 20.8 miles away
North Carolina · Mid-Atlantic / Northern Outer Banks · Inlet
Approximately 29 miles away
Virginia · Mid-Atlantic / Virginia Capes · Inlet
Approximately 46.5 miles away
Near low tide
Next high tide
Oct 20, 2026, 3:31 PM
In 6 hr 18 min
3.4 ft MLLW
Previous
Low · Oct 20, 2026, 9:08 AM · 1.2 ft MLLW
Following
Low · Oct 20, 2026, 9:53 PM · 1.0 ft MLLW
Tide station at destination
Duck · NOAA 8651370
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Duck / northern Outer Banks pier and surf fishery
A northern Outer Banks Atlantic ocean and pier fishery at Duck. The USACE Field Research Facility pier and adjacent surf are the bounded.
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 23, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Striped bass, red drum, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel are the representative surf and pier targets. Seasonal timing varies by species.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Striped bass
PrimaryRegulations vary annuallyMorone saxatilis
Typical seasonal opportunity: WINTER — SPRING
Northern Outer Banks surf and pier fishing; harvest dates are regulation dates.
Red drum
PrimarySciaenops ocellatus
Also called Redfish
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING AND FALL
May also be present outside this peak window.
Bluefish
SecondaryPomatomus saltatrix
No seasonal pulse known
Coastal migratory fishing along the northern Outer Banks.
Spanish mackerel
SecondaryScomberomorus maculatus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — FALL
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Public pier and beach access at Duck / Corolla-area northern Outer Banks. Confirm current pier hours, fees, and town beach rules before visiting. Private oceanfront is not implied public access.
Ocean swell, pier spray, and nor'easter wind are the main hazards. Missing wave observations is not calm seas.
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
Shore · North Carolina
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Tide predictions, water level, water temperature, wind
Tide station at destination
Coastal and marine hazard alerts
Planning limitation
Coastal conditions can vary over short distances. Predictions and remote observations are planning information, not guarantees of access or safety.