Hatteras – April 13, 2017
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the big blues are back, along with an abundance of pufferfish. A few speckled trout have been reported in the surf as well. Smaller blues are scattered along the shorelines, and those fishing the south beaches can expect to connect with puppy drum.
There are bull reds being landed off Hatteras beaches, the Point, and Ocracoke.
The north beaches aren’t seeing as much action with the colder water, but those casting a line can expect blues, sea mullet, and pufferfish.
Stripers have been reported off Nags Head, and they seem to be moving between Oregon Inlet and Jennette’s Pier.
Paul Park, of Greenville, with a Hatteras bluefish that was landed on the Point of Buxton using cut bait on a Hatteras Jack tournament rig.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with pufferfish and sea mullet on Fishbites and bloodworms.
Anglers are reporting a run of sheepshead, with all being landed off shrimp.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers have been catching a little bit of everything, including red and black drum, sea mullet, bluefish, sharks, and pufferfish. Shrimp has been the go-to bait for anglers, as well as frozen finger mullet, but fresh mullet and bunker will work best.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with plenty of sea mullet and pufferfish. Gray trout have also been landed. They’re alongside the bluefish that have returned to the area.
Percy Houchens, of Harbinger, with a red drum caught on Gulp bait while fishing the surf in Frisco.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that the big chopper blues (in the 25-30” range) have returned to the area.
Those looking to land a bull red are finding success in the evening at the Point.
There have been a few flounder landed, but the majority of the action is coming from pufferfish.
Dogfish are still around, and those looking for stripers may have luck finding the big ones from the surf and the smaller ones back in the sound.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore anglers are connecting with blackfin tuna and dolphin.
Inshore and nearshore, there have been several citation and near citation red drum landed. Sheepshead, triggerfish, and black sea bass have also been caught recently.
Those fishing from the surf have landed the big bulls, too, as well as smaller reds and some almost chopper-sized blues.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that anglers are catching a lot of big citation drum around the inlets, and the best way to connect with the fish is artificials.
The big bluefish (in the 5-8 lb. class) have also moved back into the area, and these fish will also take artificials.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the blackfin bite is great, and most anglers are leaving them biting. Albacore are mixed in with the blackfins, and there are still yellowfin in the area as well.
A mako shark was also recently landed during an offshore trip.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that anglers are connecting with blackfin tuna, and that many of them are over 30 lbs. Wahoo have been scattered in with the tuna, as well as some early season mahi.
A few boats have also reported blue marlin releases over the past week.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers that are throwing cut shrimp and mullet are connecting with both puppy-sized and larger drum. They’re also finding blues, including the large choppers.
A surprise 4 lb. 8 oz. pompano was recently weighed in, which is an indicator of the warmer water temperatures moving in.
