Northern Beaches July 14, 2011
Dan and Max Gourley with one of several gaffer dolphin they hooked while trolling ballyhoo in the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Jay Kavanagh and mate Jeremy Hicks on the "Bite Me." Max (age 8) also released a sailfish.
Wheeler, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers fishing to the south at ramps 43 and 45 are connecting with some sea mullet and pompano while baiting up with shrimp and sand fleas.
Bluefish are feeding along the beaches, and pier anglers caught good numbers on small metal lures last week.
The sheepshead bite is still good along the pilings on the south side of Bonner Bridge, and most of the fish are falling for live sand fleas.
Anglers casting Gulp baits and other soft plastics in the sound are connecting with decent numbers of flounder.
Offshore, the dolphin fishing continues to be excellent, and boats got into the fish as close as 5 miles from the inlet last week as NE winds pushed some clean blue water inshore. Trolled ballyhoo and variety of other baits will fool the dolphin.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that the offshore fleet is still catching good numbers of dolphin along with some yellowfin tuna. Scattered wahoo and sailfish are in the mix, and all of the fish are biting skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Boats trolling small spoons along the beaches are finding good action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Flounder fishing has been decent in Oregon Inlet for anglers casting Gulps and small live baits. Some flatfish are also coming out of the surf.
Along with the flounder, surf anglers are picking up some sea mullet, croaker, and spot on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Korin, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the dolphin bite is still doing well offshore of Oregon Inlet. Yellowfin tuna have been in the mix as well, some days dominating the fleet’s catch over the dolphin. Decent numbers of sailfish and white marlin along with a few blues are feeding in the same areas as the dolphin and tuna, and all the blue water fish will take an interest in ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures.
Closer to the beaches, bottom fishermen have found action with black sea bass and triggerfish at nearshore and offshore structure. Squid and cut baits will tempt bites from the bass and triggers.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding along the beaches and taking an interest in trolled Clarkspoons, and some false albacore have been in the mix and hitting the spoons this week, too.
Inshore bottomfishing is producing action with croaker and flounder.
Zach Gaskins with a 4 lb., 1 oz. pompano that fell for a sand flea in the surf off Ramp 43 at Buxton. Photo courtesy of JAM at Teach's Lair Marina.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that the dolphin bite is still solid out of Oregon Inlet around weedlines and temperature breaks offshore.
Decent numbers of yellowfin tuna continue to be around as well, and a few bigeyes (to 200+ lbs.) have been caught lately.
A few wahoo are feeding in the same areas, and all the blue water predators are biting trolled ballyhoo.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been decking some spot, sea mullet, and croaker over the past week, primarily on shrimp and bloodworms.
When the warmer, clean water is near the beach, anglers are also connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working small metal lures from the pier.
