Hatteras May 30, 2013
Tim Markey with a 17 lb., 9 oz. permit that he hooked while surf fishing in Avon. Weighed in at Frank and Fran’s.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are connecting with some pompano, black drum, bluefish, and sea mullet while bottom fishing in the local surf. Shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms are attracting most of the attention from the bottom feeders.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are still on the feed in Pamlico Sound. Anglers can hook both while working artificial lures like soft plastic baits. The pups are also taking an interest in cut baits.
Terry, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that some sea mullet and other panfish are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Bluefish are feeding around the pier early and late in the day and falling for Gotcha plugs.
Several cobia have been seen from the pier. Big numbers are down around Hatteras, so it shouldn’t be long before anglers hook some from the pier.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that the big news of late is a 17 lb., 9 oz. permit that was landed from the beach at Avon on Memorial Day. In less surprising action, some big sea mullet and pompano are taking an interest in shrimp and sand fleas in the local surf. A few black drum are also in the mix.
Sheepshead have shown up around structure like the jetties and piers, and they will take an interest in sand fleas.
Anglers are releasing some citation-class red drum around Cape Point while casting large cut baits.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for metal casting lures around the Point and Hatteras Inlet, and it shouldn’t be long before they make their way around to Avon.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some solid pompano and sea mullet at Ramps 43 and 44.
Red drum, black drum, sea mullet, sheepshead, and bluefish are also falling for anglers’ baits in the breakers.
Boaters are catching good numbers of cobia around and outside Hatteras Inlet, and it shouldn’t be long until they move into the sound.
Some gray trout and speckled trout, puppy drum, and legal flounder have been caught lately by boats fishing the sound as well.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are connecting with sea mullet, sheepshead, pompano, bluefish, and a few flounder from Hatteras Island’s southern beaches. Shrimp and sand fleas on double-hook rigs are fooling most of the smaller bottom feeders.
The bluefish will strike cut baits on bottom rigs or metal lures worked quickly through the surf, which are also fooling some spanish mackerel around the Point.
Several cobia have also been landed from the beach at Hatteras Inlet by anglers casting large cut baits on fish finder rigs. The cut baits are also attracting attention from some citation-class red drum at the inlet and Cape Point.
Joey Register and Sammy White, of Vanceboro, NC, with a pair of yellowfin tuna they hooked while trolling off Ocracoke Inlet. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Tackle.
The cobia bite has also been excellent for boaters in Hatteras Inlet and nearby, with solid numbers (and some fish to 80+ lbs.) falling for sight-cast bucktails and live baits.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also feeding near the inlet and will bite trolled spoons or metal casting lures.
The offshore fleet is still connecting with good numbers of dolphin while trolling around temperature breaks and floating debris. Bailing smaller fish on squid and cut baits has also been effective.
Some yellowfin tuna and billfish are also taking an interest in trollers’ offerings.
Deep-jigging offshore is producing some large groupers (to 50+ lbs.).
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that there’s been some excellent meatfish action off Hatteras Inlet over the past week, with solid fishing up and down the break. Anglers are connecting with big hauls of gaffer dolphin while trolling ballyhoo around weedlines and other floating debris (and often in open water).
Some healthy yellowfin tuna are in the mix and also taking an interest in the ballyhoo that boats are pulling.
Blue and white marlin and sailfish are also feeding in the Gulf Stream locally, but they’ve been a bit tough to hook recently, possibly due to strong current in the blue water.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some citation-class red drum from the beach at Ocracoke. Large cut baits are fooling most of the reds.
Anglers bottom fishing with shrimp and other baits on double-drop rigs are hooking sea mullet, pompano, sheepshead (some to 8 lbs.), and smaller black drum and bluefish.
Boats fishing around the inlet have landed some cobia and big red drum.
Back in the sound, black and puppy drum, gray trout, sea mullet, and more are all feeding and taking an interest in baits and lures.
The offshore fleet is hauling in big numbers of dolphin and some yellowfins, blackfins, and wahoo while trolling the blue water.
Bottom fishing around wrecks and other structure is producing big numbers of triggerfish.
