Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are seeing some excellent red drum action around the Tri-Villages, with Salvo producing some of the best fishing. Cut baits like spot, mullet, and menhaden are fooling most of the drum. Some bluefish and sea mullet are also feeding in the surf, and they’re biting cut baits, shrimp, and other offerings.
Speckled trout and flounder are feeding near the inlets and biting live and strip baits along with artificial lures like Gulps.
John Beles with a 44.5″ red drum he caught and released in the Hatteras surf. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Terry, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking big numbers of sea mullet while bottom fishing. Some black drum, pufferfish, and bluefish have been mixed in.
Some large red drum have also been caught and released from the planks recently.
Frank, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet, puppy drum, and black drum from the local beaches. Most are falling for shrimp, cut baits, and Fish Bites.
Some smaller bluefish have also been in the mix lately, and anglers have seen good numbers of pufferfish on some recent days.
There have been some citation-class red drum caught and released down at the Point in the past week as well.
Lisa Rayburn with a 24.5″ puppy drum that she hooked on a cut bait while surf fishing off Ramp 55 in Hatteras.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers have primarily been seeing bluefish and red drum (from puppies to citation-class fish) action on Hatteras Island’s south beaches. High winds have made fishing tough on many days, but anglers are still finding a reasonable amount of action. Cut baits are fooling both fish.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are hooking red drum (slot-sized to 40”+) recently around The Point at Buxton. Most are falling for cut baits.
More puppy drum, black drum, sea mullet, spot, and bluefish have been feeding along the Frisco and Hatteras beaches. Some flounder have also been hooked by surf casters in Hatteras. Cut baits, shrimp, and Fish Bites are fooling most of the other surf dwellers.
Inshore anglers are connecting with solid numbers of puppy drum along with some fat speckled trout while casting soft plastic baits and other artificials.
The offshore fleet is hooking big numbers of dolphin and wahoo along with scattered blackfin tuna. Anglers are also hooking some large blackfins along with king mackerel while live-baiting inshore of the Gulf Stream water.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that anglers have seen some solid blackfin tuna and wahoo action recently (including a 92 lb. ‘hoo), but there have also been some slower days. Billfish are still around as well, with anglers releasing sailfish and blue marlin over the past weeks.
Live-bait king mackerel fishing a bit closer to the beaches has been consistent and excellent.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the live-bait king mackerel bite off Hatteras Inlet is heating up, and anglers are also connecting with some large blackfin tuna and wahoo alongside the kings. Live menhaden are the baits of choice.
The blackfins and wahoo are also still feeding at the usual offshore spots, with a few scattered sailfish mixed in. Anglers are waiting and hoping for a solid showing of fall yellowfins in the coming days. Ballyhoo paired with skirted lures like sea witches are fooling all the blue water predators.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking big numbers of red drum from the beach at Ocracoke. The fish are ranging from legal puppy drum to nearly 50” and are falling for cut baits and finger mullet that anglers are casting into the breakers.