Northern Beaches – May 12, 2016
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers are catching sea mullet, bluefish, and trout on the northern beaches. On the southern beaches, there have been big drum and an abundance of bluefish caught using metal at the Point.
In the sound, the Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway has had decent trout days, and they are also releasing some stripers.
Offshore, mahi fishing has been over the top, including a number of gaffers. There has also been some blackfin, bonito, and yellowfin mixed in, as well as a couple of bigeye tunas and white marlin releases.
Inshore, the trout fishing has been really good on the soundside, and there have been lots of stripers and plenty of bluefish weighing up to 2 lbs.
Chris Owens with a striper that he caught (and then released) on a 6 weight fly rod in the Roanoke Sound. Photo courtesy of Bobs Bait & Tackle.
Deborah, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that there have been scattered yellowfin, a massive amount of mahi (including big bull dolphins), and some white and blue marlin releases. There was also a 400 lb. blue marlin catch reported in the first few days of May.
Inshore, there have been good sized 2-4 lb. speckled trout, flounder, striper, and keeper bluefish.
Lane Thurgood caught this pollack while surf fishing at Pine Island.
Brian, of Waverunner Sportfishing Charters, reports that there has been solid gaffer mahi fishing for almost all offshore vessels. A few sailfish and tuna have also been reeled in, and there have been lots of albacore southeast of the inlet from the 250 line to the 600 line on the blue-green color change.
Lyn, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that there have been a lot of sea mullet, a fantastic bluefish bite, a few croaker, and a recent catch of a 16” flounder. There have also been periodic undersized gray trout catches, along with pufferfish, sand perch, and skates reported every day.
Wayne, of Nags Head Fishing Pier, reports that there have been bluefish catches, skates, and lots of eating-sized sea mullet. Water temps have been in the 60 degree range.
Ed, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that there have been good speckled trout in the 3-4 lb. range, which are being caught on jigs and Gulp bait in the early morning. There has also been a run of sea mullet, pufferfish, and some small 10-12” blues.
Anglers are catching black drum from various points along the surf shoreline, with a 6 lb. and a 10 lb. fish landed this past week at different locations along the beach.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have been catching sea mullet, puppy drum, 3-4 lb. bluefish, and gray trout from Pine Island to Carova. Bloodworms, finger mullet, and shrimp have been the baits of choice.
Water temps have been in the 60 degree range.
