Hatteras June 21, 2012
Berrie Bunn, of Rocky Mt., NC, with an 18" flounder that she hooked in the Ocracoke surf. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Tackle.
Dalton, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are connecting with some flounder at the new inlet north of Rodanthe. Gulp baits will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Speckled trout are feeding in the sloughs in the sound, and Gulps or other soft plastics will get their attention.
Surf casters are hooking some sea mullet locally and pompano at the southern beaches. Shrimp and sand fleas are fooling the bottom feeders.
Bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs and other metal lures worked from the pier.
Charlie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that the strong winds dirtied the water last week, but it’s clearing up and the fishing is getting back on track.
Some sea mullet, pompano, spadefish, and smaller flounder are falling for bottom rigs with shrimp and other baits under the pier.
When the water’s clear, bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs.
Ian, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet and bluefish (the big choppers seem to have moved on, so now they’re mostly medium-sized) from the local beaches. Shrimp and cut baits are producing most of the action.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that some sea mullet and pompano are rewarding surf casters’ efforts on the Frisco and Buxton beaches. Shrimp and sand fleas have been responsible for most of the action.
A few flounder have also been caught from the beaches locally.
Some spanish mackerel have been feeding within range of surf casters at Ramps 43 and 55. Small metal jigs worked quickly are producing most of the spaniards.
There’s been a decent speckled trout bite back in the sound, with live baits producing most of the action.
Mate Jeremy Hicks and Brock Matthews (age 7), of West Sunbury, PA, with a bull dolphin Brock landed while trolling the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet aboard the charter boat "Bite Me." A skirted ballyhoo fooled the 'phin.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters are finding some solid pompano and sea mullet fishing along the southern beaches at Ramps 49 and 55. Shrimp and sand fleas on double-hook bottom rigs are producing most of the fish.
Inshore boats fishing the sound are connecting with some good catches of gray and speckled trout.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding just outside Hatteras Inlet, and boats hooked big numbers while trolling Clarkspoons last week.
Offshore bottom fishing has been producing plenty of triggerfish, sea bass, snapper, and some snowy grouper.
Gulf Stream anglers are still connecting with plenty of gaffer and bailer dolphin, and they have released blue and white marlin and sailfish over the past week as well.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the wind kept boats from fishing for much of last week, but when they’ve made it out the gaffer and bailer dolphin fishing remains strong. Trolling skirted ballyhoo and pitching chunks of cut bait and squid to fish that appear near the boat is the way to connect with the dolphin.
Jim, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers landed some puppy drum and flounder from the Ocracoke beaches last week despite the high winds.
Since it’s calmed down, some sea mullet and smaller bluefish are rewarding surf casters’ efforts.
Shrimp and cut baits have been fooling most of the fish feeding in the surf.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish should be feeding in the inlet and along the beaches now that it’s calmed down, and both will readily bite trolled Clarkspoons.
Anglers are also hoping to see some more cobia in the area in the coming week.
