Northern Beaches – May 21, 2015
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that calm conditions have made for some fairly slow surf fishing on the northern Outer Banks of late, but anglers are catching bottomfish like sea mullet, spot, and croaker while soaking shrimp, bloodworms, and Fish Bites on double drop rigs.
There was some decent puppy drum fishing in the surf this past weekend, and one angler landed a large striped bass in Corolla while spot fishing.
Inshore, anglers are connecting with more bottomfish while soaking baits off the little bridge on the Manteo causeway. A few speckled trout are also biting baits and lures in the area.
Inshore boats are hooking big numbers of bluefish while fishing around Oregon Inlet. Both trolling and casting will tempt bites from the blues.
John Kirk with a large striped bass that inhaled a Fish Bites bloodworm while he was fishing for spot from the Corolla beachfront. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
The local offshore fleet continues to find some excellent action while trolling the blue water off Oregon Inlet. Big catches of yellowfin tuna and dolphin have been filling up the boats’ fish boxes, along with plenty of variety from wahoo, bigeye and blackfin tuna (most bigeyes 100-200 lbs.), mako sharks, and more. All the blue water predators are biting ballyhoo paired with skirted lures like sea witches.
Kat, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the offshore trolling has been excellent for the past several weeks. Gaffer dolphin have arrived in huge numbers, and boats are putting plenty of the big ‘phins on ice. There’s also still solid yellowfin tuna fishing (with some limit catches) alongside the dolphin, and large bigeye tuna (to 200 lbs.) are making an appearance for many boats as well.
Mako sharks, wahoo, and blackfin tuna are all also feeding offshore and occasionally taking an interest in trollers’ baits. A few blue marlin are around as well, and they’re providing thrills for anglers who hook and release them.
Inshore bottom fishing has heated up, and anglers are connecting with sea mullet, pigfish, pinfish, spot, croaker, flounder, and gray and speckled trout while soaking squid, shrimp, and other baits.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that the offshore season is in full swing for Oregon Inlet boats, with solid hauls of gaffer dolphin and yellowfin tuna hitting the docks daily. Bigeye tuna (some approaching 200 lbs.) have also made their appearance, and many boats are adding a bigeye or two to their catches of yellowfin and dolphin.
Mako sharks (most around 100 lbs.) are around in good numbers and falling for boats’ baits, and a few wahoo are in the mix as well.
Ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures are producing results with the offshore predators.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with spot, sea mullet, croaker, gray trout, pufferfish, and more while bottom fishing with shrimp, Fish Bites, and other baits. A few puppy drum and flounder have also been falling for bottom baits.
Anglers working lures like Gotcha plugs from the pier are connecting with some bluefish.
