Northern Beaches – September 24, 2015
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that strong NE winds have hampered anglers’ surf casting efforts recently, but those who fished found some action early in the week. Bluefish and sea mullet are making up most of the catch along the northern beaches, but anglers have also encountered some over-slot red drum lately. Shrimp and cut baits are producing most of the action for surf anglers.
Anglers working soft plastics and other artificial lures from the little bridge on the Nags Head causeway are hooking some striped bass and undersized and keeper speckled trout.
Bottom fishermen are finding some croaker and other panfish on small baits.
There’s been some excellent red drum action for boaters fishing the sound recently (with some citation-class fish). The best bite has been at night, and cut baits are fooling the fish.
Anglers trolling around Oregon Inlet continue to hook solid numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish. Most are falling for Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
The winds have also kept offshore boats at the docks on many recent days, but anglers are finding plenty of dolphin while trolling off Oregon Inlet. The billfish bite is still going as well, and boats are releasing good numbers of white marlin along with some sailfish and blue marlin on trolling trips. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are fooling the majority of the blue water fish.
Eric Banks and Chris Rankin with a 64 lb. dolphin Dave Rankin landed while they were trolling 42 miles off Oregon Inlet. The big ‘phin bit a skirted ballyhoo.
Norma, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action with bluefish and spanish mackerel while trolling around Oregon Inlet and along the beachfront. Small spoons trolled with planers and inline sinkers are fooling most of the fish.
Anglers fishing the sound have been catching and releasing good numbers of large red drum. The reds will bite both baits and a variety of artificial lures.
Bottom fishing around Oregon Inlet is producing plenty of action with speckled and gray trout, bluefish, flounder, and more.
Offshore boats are finding plenty of dolphin action out of Oregon Inlet, with many limit catches. Those searching for tuna have had some good days recently, with solid numbers of yellowfin and blackfin tuna finding their way into the fish boxes. A few bigeye tuna and wahoo have been mixed in.
The billfish bite has been on as well, and boats are releasing good numbers of white marlin along with some sailfish and a few blue marlin. All of the offshore predators are taking an interest in naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Hampton Sylvia with a false albacore she hooked while working a metal casting jig. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that anglers are connecting with some yellowfin tuna while pulling baits offshore of Oregon Inlet, primarily on ballyhoo paired with skirts like sea witches.
Big numbers of dolphin are still around as well. Anglers are hooking the ‘phins while trolling and on lighter tackle with squid and cut baits pitched to schools of fish around the boat.
Billfish are feeding offshore, too, with boats releasing some white marlin and sailfish, but the bite’s been a bit sporadic all season.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some gray trout, black drum, spot, sea mullet, and more while bottom fishing with shrimp and other baits.
A few large red drum are starting to show up for anglers fishing big cut baits on the bottom. Anglers working Gotcha plugs and other casting lures from the pier have been hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish, particularly early in the day.
Live-baiters also landed a king mackerel off the end of the pier last week.
