Hatteras – March 26, 2015
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are connecting with red drum while casting baits from Hatteras Island’s southern beaches, with the best action coming when winds blow from the south. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits are fooling many of the fish, and anglers are also hooking up while working soft plastics and other artificials when the fish are thick.
Sam Petry, of Hatteras Jack, with a speckled trout he hooked on a Gulp bait in the surf at Avon.
Some bluefish have begun to show up along the island’s northern shores, and they’ll become more numerous as the water temperatures climb and spring progresses.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that dogfish have made up much of the action for surf casters lately, but those fishing south of Cape Point are also encountering some puppy drum and an occasional larger drum. Anglers on Ocracoke have also landed some black drum recently.
Sea mullet and pufferfish haven’t made much of a showing yet, but a few warm days should kick the spring action with the panfish into gear as well.
Bev, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some puppy drum from the beach at Frisco on both bait and artificials.
Some smaller sea mullet and croaker have also shown up, and improved action with the mullet along with some pufferfish shouldn’t be too far away.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters are starting to see a few sea mullet and pufferfish while soaking baits in Frisco and Hatteras Village. The tasty panfish should become more abundant in the next few weeks as long as the weather stays warm. Both will bite cut shrimp or Fish Bites baits pinned to small hooks on bottom rigs.
Puppy drum are still in the mix for surf casters from Buxton to Hatteras, and they’re taking an interest in the same offerings as the panfish (along with cut baits). Plenty of sharks and skates are still in the mix as well.
Not much has been happening inshore over the past few weeks, but the offshore fleet has been finding some decent tuna fishing when they can get out to the blue water. Bluefins (some to 400+ lbs.) are the biggest news, but trollers are also seeing action with yellowfin and blackfin tunas as well. All are taking an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing action with some tilefish and amberjacks.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that the offshore action has been solid when boats get both the weather and crews to head out. Tuna are providing the bulk of the trolling action, and boats are connecting with yellow and blackfin tuna, along with a few of the larger bluefins.
Bottom fishing out in the blue water has been productive as well, with boats bringing home solid hauls of golden tilefish, rosefish, snowy grouper, and other tasty dwellers of the deep.
On the beaches, the puppy drum action continues from Hatteras to Cape Point. Frisco Pier has been a particular hotspot lately, and anglers are hooking the pups (and some over-slot fish) while casting soft plastic baits around the remains of the pier. Elsewhere, shrimp and cut baits seem to be producing the majority of the action with the pups.
Water temperatures are right and there’s plenty of bait around, so anglers will likely see some of the first citation drum action of the year around Cape Point and Hatteras Inlet over the next week.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some bluefin tuna while trolling offshore of Hatteras Inlet, with most of the action a bit up the break from the typical spots (with fish ranging from 60-75”+). Some blackfin and yellowfin tuna are feeding a bit closer to the inlet. All the tunas are taking an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures like sea witches and Ilanders.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that anglers are finding bluefin tuna off Hatteras Inlet, but finding the fish and getting them to bite can be two different tasks. They are taking trolled baits like ballyhoo on some days, and anglers working topwater poppers and vertical jigs around fish they spot on the surface or sounder are also connecting on occasion.
Some yellowfin tuna are feeding in the same areas as the bluefins and taking an interest in the same baits and lures.
Boats bottom fishing offshore are connecting with some golden tilefish and rosefish.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are still hooking puppy drum from the Ocracoke beach. Both baits like shrimp and cut mullet and artifiicals like soft plastics and gold spoons are fooling the pups.
Some bluefish are also around and falling for the same offerings.
