If you're heading out to fish in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina today, October 31st, here's what you need to know.

First, let's talk about the tides. Today, the high tides will be at 7:23 AM and 7:27 PM, with low tides at 1:03 AM and 1:31 PM. The tidal coefficient is high, at 82, indicating significant tidal movements which can be beneficial for fishing.

The weather is looking pleasant, with a sunrise at 7:31 AM and a sunset at 6:20 PM. Expect mild temperatures and relatively calm conditions, although winds may pick up later in the day.

Yesterday saw a lot of activity from various fish species. Nearshore anglers were catching plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish off the beaches, with some false albacore starting to appear in the 5-mile area. Red drum action has been steady, particularly around hard structures like docks and oyster bars, where live or cut baits on Carolina rigs have been effective. Speckled trout are also showing up, especially in creek mouths, grass lines, and oyster beds, and they're hitting topwater plugs, jerk baits, and soft plastic swim baits.

For today, you can expect similar action. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are likely to be active along the beachfronts and jetties, where trolling Clarkspoons and mackerel trees can be productive. Red drum are schooling up more as the water temperatures cool, so look for them around grass lines and docks. Speckled trout should still be active in the morning, particularly in areas with oyster beds and creek mouths.

For bait, live mullet and cut baits are working well for red drum, while live crabs on Carolina rigs are a sure bet for sheepshead. For spanish mackerel and bluefish, pulling live baits along the beachfronts is a good strategy.

Hot spots include the jetties, where bull red drum are being caught, and the creek mouths and grass lines, which are holding speckled trout and red drum. The pier at Jennette's Pier is also a good spot, with recent catches of bluefish, spanish mackerel, and speckled trout.

Overall, it's shaping up to be a great day for fishing in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina. Make sure to check the local weather forecast for any updates before you head out.