Hatteras April 11, 2013
Chad Smally landed this bluefin tuna while trolling off Hatteras Inlet aboard the “Swordfish” out of Teach’s Lair Marina.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that south winds have created some good fishing along Hatteras Island’s southern beaches recently. Pufferfish, sea mullet, and puppy drum have been providing most of the action, with shrimp and cut baits on bottom rigs the most effective offerings right now. Some citation-class red drum have already been caught and released in the Ocracoke surf, and with warming weather and water it shouldn’t be long before Hatteras anglers encounter some of the big reds along with the puppies.
Closer to Rodanthe, skates and dogfish are providing most of the action, but some puffers and sea mullet are starting to show as well. Warming water will also have a positive impact on the local surf bite over the coming weeks.
Ryan, of Rodanthe Pier reports that anglers are hooking some pufferfish from the beaches, and boats offshore are catching big numbers of croakers.
The water has warmed from 46 to 52 degrees over the past week, so it shouldn’t be long until the pier action heats up for the season.
Tammy, of Frank and Fran’s Tackle, reports that the surf bite is finally picking up. Anglers are connecting with some pufferfish, sea mullet, and puppy drum while tossing baits into the breakers from Rodanthe to Hatteras Inlet. Shrimp on double-drop rigs are producing the lion’s share of the panfish, with the puppies showing a preference for cut baits.
The action should only improve as the water temperatures climb in the coming weeks, and bluefish should be joining the mix very soon.
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports that some pufferfish and a few sea mullet are biting along the island’s southern beaches. A handful of bluefish have been mixed in as well, and shrimp and bloodworms pinned to double-drop rigs are fooling most of the fish.
Ray Brehn and friends, from MD, with a 130 lb. bigeye tuna and a bluefin tuna that they hooked (along with a white marlin) while trolling off Oregon Inlet with Capt. Jay Kavanagh on the charterboat “Bite Me” out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Spring is just now arriving to the local waters, so the action should be improving by the day as the weather and water warm up.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the bluefin tuna bite remains strong off Hatteras Inlet (with most fish 73” and bigger). Trolling ballyhoo has been the most effective strategy for the giant tuna lately, but anglers are also hooking up while chunking cut baits and working vertical jigs and topwater poppers around fish they spot on the surface or sounder.
Some blackfin tuna are mixed in with the bluefins, and anglers also landed bigeye tuna and released the first white marlin of the season last week, great signs for the spring/summer fishing to come.
Bottom fishing around offshore drops and structure is producing plenty of action with tasty tilefish and snowy grouper.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that the water has warmed back up after a cold snap and the surf action is getting back on track. Anglers have already released some citation-class red drum in the Ocracoke surf, and they should be seeing more in the coming weeks. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are the way to go for the big reds.
Sea mullet and pufferfish are taking an interest in double-drop bottom rigs with shrimp and other baits in the breakers, and they’ll be more numerous and active as April wears on, too.
Bluefish should be some of the next arrivals along the island’s beachfront, and with warm long-range forecasts, it won’t be long until they show.
