Joe Sutton and Wesley Barber with 43″ and 47″ red drum they caught and released in the surf at Nags Head. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are connecting with big numbers of bluefish while casting finger mullet and cut baits along the local beachfront. Decent numbers of puppy drum have been mixed in and biting the same baits. Some larger citation-class (40”+) red drum have been around and finding anglers’ cut baits as well.
Bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms in the surf is producing solid catches of sea mullet (many 1-1.5 lbs.) along with other bottom feeders like pufferfish.
Ervin, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that anglers are hooking solid numbers of sea mullet (with many 1.5+ lb. citations) along with some smaller bluefish and black drum while bottom fishing in the local surf. Decent numbers of puppy drum and an occasion citation-class (40”+) red drum are feeding along the shoreline as well. Shrimp are fooling most of the smaller fish, while cut baits are tempting bites from the red drum.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are hooking decent numbers of citation-class red drum while casting large cut baits from the pier.
Smaller puppy drum and bluefish are also in the mix and falling for cut baits.
Anglers soaking shrimp are finding plenty of action with sea mullet and pufferfish.
Michael Selby, of Ft. Valley, VA, with a 51″ red drum he caught and released from Nags Head Pier after it fell for a chunk of mullet on the bottom.
Some keeper flounder have been feeding in the surf zone and biting live and strip baits.
Butch, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action with large sea mullet while casting baits in the Avon surf. Pufferfish and small black drum and flounder have been in the mix as well, and the smaller bottom feeders are taking an interest in shrimp.
Red drum (ranging from puppies to 40”+ citation fish) are also feeding in the surf and biting shrimp and cut baits.
Bev, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf casters are hooking a bit of everything from the local beachfront right now. Sea mullet, croaker, bluefish, puppy drum, and flounder have all been taking an interest in cut baits and shrimp that anglers are casting recently. The bluefish are also falling for metal casting jigs like Shore Lure Glass Minnows.
Anglers are also hooking a few speckled trout on baits and more while working artificial lures like soft plastics in the surf.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are seeing action with sea mullet, bluefish, flounder, puppy drum, and more in the local surf. Shrimp and cut baits are producing most of the action.
Anglers are also catching and releasing some citation-class (40”+) red drum while casting large cut baits at Cape Point.
Inshore boaters are still finding plenty of action with puppy and yearling drum while casting artificials and soaking bait in the sound.
The Hatteras Inlet offshore fleet has been catching solid numbers of king mackerel along with a few dolphin, blackfin tuna, and an occasional billfish. Skirted ballyhoo are fooling the offshore predators.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that anglers are seeing some solid action with bluefish, flounder, sea mullet, and red drum (from puppies to citation fish) while casting baits in the Hatteras surf. Shrimp and cut baits are fooling all the fish in the breakers.
Inshore boaters are connecting with some solid catches of flounder and a few speckled trout while working soft plastics and live and cut baits in the sound.
The offshore fleet is still seeing solid numbers of dolphin on many days, along with some king mackerel.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing Charters, reports that anglers are catching big numbers of fat king mackerel while slow-trolling with live menhaden off Hatteras Inlet. A few wahoo, blackfin tuna, and sailfish are feeding alongside the kings and also biting live baits.
More blackfin tuna, yellowfins, and wahoo are feeding a bit further offshore and biting ballyhoo paired with skirted lures like sea witches.