Northern Beaches – December 10, 2015
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers have had some tough fishing conditions lately, but there’s been a good bit of action when they’re able to hit the water.
Striped bass seem to be the most consistent bite that anglers are finding at present. Boaters fishing structure in the sound like the Manns Harbor Bridge have been connecting with solid numbers of the stripers. The fish are biting artificial lures like soft plastics, swimbaits, and bucktail jigs, as well as live eels and other baits.
Some flounder have been biting inshore as well, with soft plastics and live and cut baits also effective.
Surf casters have been connecting with smaller speckled trout and puppy drum along the local beachfront, primarily on shrimp and cut baits. Anglers are also hooking a few specks on soft plastics. Some sea mullet and other bottomfish have been mixed in off Jennette’s Pier and for anglers fishing the surf to the south along Hatteras Island. Bluefish and red drum have also been in the mix along the Hatteras beaches and biting cut baits.
The wind has kept much of the offshore fleet tied to the docks over the past several weeks, but they’re also finding some decent action when it’s calm enough to get offshore. Yellowfin and blackfin tuna are making up much of the action, and they’re taking an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures like sea witches. Some wahoo (including citation 40+ lb. fish) have also been feeding offshore and biting trollers’ offerings. One boat returned from an offshore trip with a limit (3) catch of swordfish last week.
Colby and Nick Walke with a citation red drum that they hooked while surf fishing the Hatteras Island beach near Avon.
Norma, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers are connecting with solid numbers of striped bass while fishing back in the sound. Soft plastic baits, bucktail jigs, and trolling lures will all attract attention from the stripers, and anglers can find them feeding near bridges and other structure in the inshore waters.
Inshore charters have also been hooking a few flounder on soft plastics as well.
Offshore boats have had to wait out some long spells of rough weather recently, but the fishing has been solid when they can get out. Some limit catches of yellowfin and blackfin tuna have been brought back to the docks in recent weeks, and there’s also been a decent number of wahoo. A few late season dolphin (including some gaffers) have been sprinkled in with the other pelagics. Ballyhoo paired with skirts like sea witches are fooling most of the offshore predators.
Three swordfish were landed on a recent offshore trip as well.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some small speckled trout, black drum, and puppy drum while bottom fishing from the pier. Some sea mullet were mixed in last week, and a 20” black drum was landed early this week. Dogfish are beginning to show up and should soon be plentiful for anglers who want to hook up with one of the small sharks.
The water is 56 degrees.
