Northern Beaches June 30, 2011
Eric Eversole with a striped bass that fell for a bottom rig in Oregon Inlet. Photo courtesy of TW's Bait and Tackle.
Kyle, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf and pier anglers are finding action with spot and croaker while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
When southwest winds aren’t dirtying the water along the beaches, bluefish and spanish mackerel have also been coming within range of pier anglers, who are fooling them with Gotcha plugs and other casting lures.
Some flounder and smaller speckled trout are also coming out of the surf and biting lures that anglers are casting in the sound. Gulp and Saltwater Assassin soft plastics have been producing most of the action with the flatfish and specks.
Anglers are still scoring plenty of bites from big sheepshead along the pilings of the Bonner Bridge, both while fishing from the catwalk and from boats. Sand fleas have been fooling most of the sheeps.
Anglers trolling small spoons and casting metal lures from boats in and just off Oregon Inlet are connecting with decent numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Boats bottom fishing nearshore are putting together some decent catches of triggerfish.
Offshore, the dolphin bite is still solid, with many boats getting their limits. Some hit-and-miss action with yellowfin tuna is also happening for blue water trollers, and a few sailfish and blue and white marlin are around as well.
Trolling rigged ballyhoo is producing most of the action with the offshore pelagics, but many boats are bailing the smaller dolphin on light spinning tackle with cut baits as well.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been catching decent numbers of sea mullet, croaker, and spot while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms. Some smaller schools of bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are also cruising along the beachfront. Anglers are hooking them while working Gotcha plugs from the piers when the clean water is on the beach and while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures from boats.
Blacktip sharks are also feeding just off Oregon Inlet, and they will put up spirited battles for anglers fishing with large cut baits.
A few scattered cobia are still in the area and will be all summer, but the majority of the fish have moved north.
Anglers fishing the sound behind Rodanthe are connecting with some flounder, speckled trout, and puppy drum. Gulp baits will fool all three.
Offshore, the dolphin bite is still excellent, and some scattered yellowfin tuna and billfish are joining the catch.
Shaun Buen, from Kill Devil Hills, NC, with an 8.19 lb. sheepshead he caught on a sand flea while fishing the pilings of the Bonner Bridge. Photo courtesy of TW's Bait and Tackle.
Korin, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that offshore boats are still finding an excellent dolphin bite offshore (with plenty of bailers, but some gaffers to 35 lbs. in the mix as well). Mixed catches of yellowfin tuna are also coming in (with some days better than others and fish to 90 lbs. lately).
Some sailfish and white marlin are rounding out the offshore fleet’s action. Trolling rigged ballyhoo is the way to go for most of the blue water predators.
Nearshore boats are hooking up with some amberjacks around structure off the inlet on live baits.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and blacktip sharks are feeding off the inlet. The spanish and blues are taking an interest in trolled spoons, and the sharks are falling for cut baits.
Bottom fishing inshore is producing action with croaker, flounder, triggerfish, and gray trout.
Dave, of Skiligal Charters, reports that plenty of dolphin are filling the fish box on offshore trips (with some big gaffers still in the mix).
Yellowfin tuna are also feeding offshore, but some days are better than others with them.
A few white and blue marlin have also been seen and hooked lately.
Ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures are producing most of the action with the blue water predators.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, spot, croaker, triggerfish, and skates while bottom fishing with shrimp, squid, and bloodworms.
Some bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and other lures worked from the pier.
Anglers have also spotted a few cobia cruising near the end of the pier over the past week.
