Hatteras – May 11, 2017
Blake, of Hatteras Jack, reports that big bluefish are still being caught in the surf, and most of them are being landed on metal lures and cut bait.
Back in the sound, puppy drum are starting to show up, and anglers have had luck catching them on both cut bait and artificials. A few stripers have been in the mix, too.
Off the beach, there has been a steady sea mullet bite, with a few puppy drum in the mix, but most of the action is coming from the whiting and bluefish. Bottom rigs baited with cut bait will snag most species.
Staci Edwards, of Washington, with an 8 lb. bluefish. The fish was caught on a grub at the Point.
Terry, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers soaking Fishbites or shrimp on the bottom are connecting with sea mullet and blow toads. There have also been a few bluefish landed, and they are taking cut mullet.
Randy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports there have been some evening runs of red drum at the Point, and anglers can connect with the fish using cut bait.
Most of the recent action in the area has come from sharks, but there have been some cobia caught, too. The cobia right now are on the smaller side.
A few flatfish have been landed from the beaches.
Kristen, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with a good run of sea mullet, with Fishbites (in sand flea flavor), shrimp, and sand fleas working the best.
Those dropping cut bait have connected with big sharks.
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers are catching bluefish, with 9-10 lb. fish common, from Avon to Hatteras.
Red drum are appearing, slot- and citation-sized, along the beaches, and two cobia were recently landed from the surf in Hatteras.
Anglers are starting to see sea mullet and flounder show up. Shrimp and cut bait has been the go-to with both species.
Hunter Marshall, of Raleigh, with a 33” bluefish caught off the Ocracoke beach. The fish bit a Shore Lures glass minnow.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that anglers targeting inshore waters and the surf are finding that most of the action is coming from the big drum that are still around.
Cobia have returned to the area, and anglers are connecting with them all the way to the Chesapeake.
Offshore, boats are returning with blackfin tuna, a few scattered yellowfin, and wahoo.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that anglers have caught a few cobia in the past week around the inlets, sight casting to the fish with bucktails.
In the sound, puppy drum from 18-27” are biting well.
The big bluefish bite is starting to slow down, but the speckled trout bite is picking up. A few flounder have been caught as well. Soft plastics, gold weedless spoons, and bucktails should get most anglers through the summer months.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the mahi bite is picking up, with dolphin slowly getting into the gaffer size. The tuna bite is still happening, with large blackfin being landed. There are scattered yellowfin mixed in with the blackfin, and some of the fish are citation sized. A few wahoo in the area will hit the same baits used for targeting tuna.
Blue marlin have started to move back in, with a few caught and released this past week.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that the mahi and yellowfin tuna bite has been great in the area. The mahi are still bailer size, but they’re getting bigger every day.
Those dropping down to the bottom are connecting with grouper and tilefish.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with small sea mullet and upper-slot puppy drum off the beaches, but reports of drum of all sizes have come in recently.
The big blues are still around and in the surf. Cut mullet or menhaden will work on all the fish.
Boats are starting to see cobia in area waters.
