Northern Beaches August 25, 2011
Makayla Smith, of Hobbsville, NC, with a 20" flounder that bit shrimp on a double bottom rig under Jennette's Pier. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Westheiden.
John, of TW’s Tackle, reports that the offshore fleet is still finding plenty of meatfish action with dolphin, yellowfin tuna, and some wahoo. The billfish bite is also solid, with boats releasing lots of white marlin and a few sailfish and blue marlin. Skirted and naked ballyhoo are accounting for most of the blue water predators.
Closer to the beaches, trolling Clarkspoons is producing plenty of action with spanish mackerel and bluefish just off Oregon Inlet. Some false albacore have been mixed in as well.
A few cobia are still cruising along the beaches, and boats landed several last week.
Surf and pier anglers are catching some pompano, sea mullet, croaker, and bluefish. Shrimp and bloodworms are getting attention in the surf.
Back in the sound, anglers are connecting with some speckled trout and croaker around Little Bridge.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that the summer fishing remains steady. Anglers are connecting with some croaker, spot, and smaller flounder in the surf. Cut baits, shrimp, and bloodworms are getting their attention. The flounder have also been taking an interest in Gulp baits.
Some puppy drum are also making an appearance on the beaches. Cut baits are tempting them to bite.
Anglers fishing in and just inside Oregon Inlet have found action with speckled trout and flounder lately. Live baits or Gulps will get their attention.
Just off the inlet, spanish mackerel and bluefish are chasing bait. Boaters are hooking both while trolling Clarkspoons.
Further offshore, blue water trollers are still finding a solid yellowfin tuna bite just north of the Point.
The white marlin bite is cranking up to the northeast of the inlet, where boats are tallying some solid numbers of releases.
Some bailer dolphin are still mixed in with the tuna and marlin, and all are taking an interest in skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Korin, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the yellowfin tuna bite has still been good. Blackfin tuna, dolphin, and a few scattered wahoo are still in the mix.
Boats targeting white marlin are also finding success. The blue water gamefish are taking an interest in naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing at offshore wrecks and other structure has been productive lately, filling coolers with triggerfish, black sea bass, and a variety of other tasty bottom dwellers.
Kathy Grant, of Kill Devil Hills, with a citation class red drum she caught and released in the Neuse River while on a trip with the International Womens' Fishing Association.
Closer to the beaches, the spanish mackerel and bluefish bite remains hot for boats trolling Clarkspoons.
A few cobia were also landed last week.
Bottom fishing in and just off Oregon Inlet has been good, with anglers reporting catches of croaker, sea mullet, flounder, and trout.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that the white marlin bite is on, with multiple releases common when boats are targeting the billfish.
Tuna fishing has also been solid, and an occasional wahoo has been joining the fish box recently.
Skirted and naked ballyhoo are fooling the majority of the offshore pelagics.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been finding action with croaker, pinfish, pigfish, spot, pompano, and bluefish over the past week. Shrimp, bloodworms, and other baits will tempt bites from the bottom feeders. Some triggerfish and sheepshead are hanging around the pier, but anglers haven’t hooked many yet.
