Hatteras – March 5, 2015
Sam, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are finding some puppy drum sunning on top of oceanside sandbars on warmer days, and they have been for much of the winter. A few speckled trout have been mixed in on occasion, and the Buxton jetties and north side of Avon Pier have produced some of the best action this winter. Gulp baits on jigheads are producing the majority of the action with the pups and specks.
Blake O’Sullivan with a slot puppy drum that struck a Gulp bait on a jighead in the Hatteras Island surf. Photo courtesy of Hatteras Jack.
As the water warms up a bit, anglers can expect to see pufferfish and the first sea mullet of the season joining the action in the Hatteras Island surf. Bottom rigs with small hooks bearing pieces of shrimp or Fish Bites baits will fool both of the tasty panfish.
Frank, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that despite water temperatures hovering around 40 degrees, anglers are seeing some decent puppy drum action along Hatteras Island’s southern beaches. Curlytail soft plastics pinned to jigheads are fooling the majority of the fish.
Speckled trout haven’t been around in their usual numbers over the winter, but the good news is that not many seem to have died during the extremely cold weather over the past few weeks.
As the water temperatures push up into the mid-50’s over the spring, pufferfish and sea mullet will move into the surf zone, and both will take a strong interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp or Fish Bites.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that there’s been some excellent puppy drum action from the beaches between Cape Point and Hatteras Inlet in recent weeks. Most of the fish have been falling for Gulp baits on jigheads that anglers are working along sandbars and beachfront sloughs. A few speckled trout and a striped bass have also been caught by anglers casting from the sand in recent days.
Pufferfish and sea mullet should be the next arrivals in the island’s surf as the air and water temperatures climb and winter fades into spring. Both of the tasty panfish will strike a variety of small baits pinned to light bottom rigs.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers have seen good numbers of puppy drum feeding along the Hatteras, Frisco, and Buxton beachfronts for much of the winter, and the action continues, particularly on the warmer, calmer days. Anglers are also hooking an occasional speckled trout along with the puppy drum. Soft plastic baits pinned to jigheads are producing the lion’s share of the action, but anglers are also connecting with a few fish on shrimp and other baits pinned to bottom rigs.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the puppy drum bite has been on for much of the winter, with particularly good action over the past week. Frigid temperatures in the sound have forced most fish out to the beachfront, which is likely accounting for the improved bite. Most of the drum are upper-slot fish with a few pushing over the 27” mark, and anglers have been connecting with an occasional larger (22-24”) speckled trout along with the pups. Soft plastics pinned to jigheads are producing the majority of the action with both fish. A few of the drum are also taking an interest in shrimp on bottom rigs.
Not many boats have made it offshore in recent weeks, but anglers are finding some blackfin tuna in the blue water, where they’ll bite trolled baits and lures or vertical jigs.
Bottom fishing offshore has been producing some solid hauls of triggerfish, a few large grouper, and a mixture of other tasty creatures from the depths.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with puppy drum from the Ocracoke beachfront, with some fish feeding right along the shoreline. Cooler temperatures have them unlikely to sniff out baits that anglers are soaking, so the successful fishermen are casting artificial lures like gold Hopkins spoons and Yo-Zuri 3-D Shrimp to hook up.
