Hatteras – June 11, 2015
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that bottomfish like spot, sea mullet, and croaker have been making up most of the catch for local surf casters recently.
Some flounder have been mixed in around Oregon Inlet.
Anglers fishing the Bonner Bridge catwalks are hooking sheepshead while dangling sand fleas and other baits next to the pilings.
Things are still a bit slow in the sound, but anglers have found some action with puppy and larger red drum while soaking live and cut baits off the back of the island.
Riley Inman with a 10 lb. bluefish he caught on a metal casting jig in the surf at Hatteras.
Scott, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that some 8-10 lb. bluefish have been biting cut baits off the pier recently. Surf casters could likely connect with long casts over the bar as well.
The water is clearing up and anglers are seeing more and larger pompano mixed in with the sea mullet, spot, and croaker they’ve been hooking in the surf. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling the surf fish.
Michael Lesher, Jr., with a 9 lb. bluefish he hooked on a free-lined bait off Oceanana Pier.
Terry, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fish like croaker, sea mullet, and small sharks are biting double-drop rigs off the pier.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel have been biting Gotcha plugs when the water clears up.
Anglers fishing the end of the pier have seen some cobia, but they haven’t hooked any lately. Some large (8-10 lbs.) bluefish are biting live baits off the end of the pier.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are hooking sea mullet, small bluefish, flounder (most small), and an occasional puppy drum in the local surf. Most of the fish are biting shrimp and cut baits. Some pompano have been mixed in down towards Frisco.
Bev, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf fishermen are catching bluefish and spanish mackerel while casting metal jigs from the beachfront.
Bottom fishing is producing some sea mullet, pufferfish, and pompano. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits are fooling the fish.
Action in the sound continues to improve, and anglers working artificials and soaking bait are connecting with good numbers of puppy drum and trout.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters on Hatteras Island’s southern beaches are connecting with some sea mullet, pompano, and smaller bluefish and flounder. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits are getting attention in the breakers. A few larger bluefish (to 10 lbs.) and cobia have also been caught on cut baits recently.
Inshore boaters are hooking solid numbers of red drum (from slot to citation-sized) in the Pamlico Sound. Both baits and artificial lures like bucktail jigs and gold spoons are fooling the fish. Anglers are also connecting with a few cobia while casting artificials.
Trolling around the inlet has been producing some spanish mackerel action for boats dragging Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
The offshore fleet continues to find some solid catches of dolphin along with scattered blackfin tuna and wahoo. Several blue marlin have been released recently as well. All the offshore predators are taking an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted lures.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that anglers are seeing plenty of dolphin while fishing off Hatteras right now (with a mix of gaffer and bailer fish). Most are falling for skirted and naked ballyhoo on the troll or smaller cut baits when a school surrounds the boat.
Trollers are also finding plenty of blackfin tuna as well, along with scattered wahoo and king mackerel. The billfish bite also continues, with anglers releasing primarily blue marlin but a few whites and sailfish on offshore trips, too.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the dolphin action continues to be strong off Hatteras Inlet, with most days producing a solid catch of gaffer and bailer-sized fish. Blackfin tuna, wahoo, and king mackerel are mixed in and biting the same ballyhoo and lures as the dolphin.
Anglers have also encountered and released decent numbers of blue marlin over the past week, with large ballyhoo/lure combos and baitless trolling plugs accounting for most of the fish hooked.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that anglers are still hooking some cobia while sight-casting and bait fishing between Hatteras Inlet and Diamond Shoals.
Offshore trollers are still finding plenty of dolphin, and anglers reported ‘phins just two miles off the beachfront last week. Blackfin tuna and a few yellowfin are mixed in and biting as well.
Dropping baits around offshore bottom structure is filling fish boxes with triggerfish, amberjacks, and other tasty bottomfish.
Surf casters continue to connect with some sea mullet, pompano, bluefish, flounder, and puppy drum.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers continue to connect with some pompano, black drum, sheepshead, and sea mullet while soaking baits in the Ocracoke surf. Shrimp and sand fleas are producing most of the action.
Anglers fishing baits and casting artificials in the inlet and along the beachfront are hooking some cobia.
