Northern Beaches – May 11, 2017
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers in the surf are connecting with puppy drum in Buxton down to Cape Point. Bluefish are still being caught up and down the coast, all the way up into Kill Devil Hills. Some of the catches still include citation-sized fish. Anglers in Frisco are connecting with flounder in the surf as well.
Those fishing the Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway have landed trout as well as the bluefish that are everywhere.
Anglers on the piers seem to be mostly catching sea mullet, with runs happening from Avalon to the Outer Banks, and those in Nags Head on the piers have reported small trout.
Inshore boats are still catching bluefish, along with spanish that have started to move into the area. Cobia are also beginning to be landed along the beaches. One trophy cobia was brought to the docks weighing 67 lbs.
Carrie Freese with an 11 lb. bluefish caught out of the south Nags Head surf. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Offshore, yellowfin, mackerel, and dolphin are providing most of the action. Wahoo are still being caught, with a 61 lb. citation fish recently landed.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the offshore boats are returning early, limiting out on yellowfin tuna. Anglers are also connecting with early season mahi, both gaffer and bailer size, and blackfin tuna.
Inshore, boats are connecting and limiting out on cobia, with one 56 lb. citation fish weighed in.
Nikki, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports most of the offshore action is coming from yellowfin tuna and mahi. Nearshore, the cobia are starting to show up.
Those fishing the inlet are connecting with speckled trout, both under-sized and keepers, along with striper.
Julie, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that the bite is slow, but some anglers are connecting with sea mullet off the sides of the pier.
John, of Nags Head Pier, reports that the sea mullet bite has picked up off the pier, and anglers are connecting with the nice-sized mullet in large numbers.
Gene Perry with a 5.13 lb. citation speckled trout caught in the Kill Devil Hills surf. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Robert, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with bluefish and drum on cut mullet. Those using bloodworms have found action with spots, croakers, whiting, and pufferfish.
There are still trout in the area, and those looking to target the fish should throw lead head jigs and soft plastics.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are connecting with bluefish up to 35”, along with sea mullet, trout, and puppy drum. Most anglers are using bloodworms or cut bait from the shore.
Inshore, anglers are hooking up with cobia using bucktails, and those trolling Clarkspoons have hooked both spanish and bluefish.
