Northern Beaches – May 25, 2017
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers fishing the surf zone around Frisco have been landing good numbers of pompano, sea mullet, and sheepshead, with one sheepshead weighed in reaching 8 lbs.
Anglers fishing the Buxton area are catching bluefish while throwing jigs, and they’re also landing small stripers, sea mullet, flounder, and over-slot drum. Some speckled trout have been in the mix as well.
Around the Nags Head and Manteo area, the speckled trout and striper action has been strong.
Nearshore, the cobia are steadily making their way to the beach in growing numbers. Anglers have been connecting with multiple cobia catches, as well as some larger drum and bluefish.
Eric Bergman with a 40″ red drum caught on cut bait in the surf at the Point in Buxton.
Offshore, the boats are bringing yellowfin tuna, mahi, and a couple of bigeye tuna back to the dock. There was also a blue marlin caught and released this week.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the nearshore cobia bite is hot. One boat recently landed 7 cobia in one trip (and released three of them). The black sea bass are also chewing nearshore, with most fish in the keeper-size range.
Spanish mackerel have also made their way to the area and are keeping nearshore anglers busy.
Offshore, the mahi bite has been excellent. Mixed in with the mahi, there have also been yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna.
Blue and white marlin were also landed and released this week.
Lisa, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that the fleet has seen some excellent days targeting yellowfin tuna, with many boats coming in with full ice boxes. Not only have there been strong numbers of fish, but the average size of fish has also been heavy, with many fish going 50-60 lbs.
The mahi bite has been steady, with some days of smaller fish and other days of gaffers.
Billfish have also been active, with reports of whites, blues, and sails this past week.
Most of the offshore fish have been hitting skirted ballyhoo, especially the Supreme sea witch (crystal skirt peppered in blue and pink).
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise, reports that the inshore bite has stayed steady this past week. Speckled trout have been in good number in the sound, and they’re willing to take a variety of baits. Probably the best lures have been the Zara Spook Jr. in bone color and Z-Man paddletails. Many of the specks have been in the 3-4 lb. range.
Flounder have been arriving in the area, and they’re being found around sandy bottom areas and marsh banks. Live mullet has been the bait of choice for the flatfish, but Gulp 3” curly tails in pearl and chartreuse have been producing good numbers, too.
Nearshore, the cobia have arrived and are ready to eat many different offerings. Live eels are always a safe bet, but spots and croakers also work well when pitching out live bait. When using artificials to target cobia, anglers are having the best luck on Meat Hog jigs and bucktails. The sight fishing action has been fairly regular when conditions allow, and boats are capitalizing on both seeing fish free swimming as well as looking out for bait balls, turtles, and rays.
Julie, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up on sea mullet, spots, and blues on fresh shrimp and bloodworms. Anglers are also landing some flounder and a few striper.
An angel shark brought to the pier was one of the highlights of the week.
Billy Boyd with a 4 lb. 8 oz. pompano caught in the surf on Ocracoke. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Tackle.
John, of Nags Head Pier, reports that anglers trying their luck on the pier have been connecting with small bluefish by casting jigs and tossing out cut bait. Sea mullet and trout have also been landed this week. The best bait has been fresh shrimp and bloodworms.
Robert, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have been landing speckled trout and flounder in the backwaters this past week. The Gulp 5” jerk shad has been the ticket on getting both species to bite. Out front on the surf, anglers have been catching blues and sea mullet while using fresh shrimp and bloodworms.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are connecting with some nice-sized bluefish (up to 25”). Puppy drum have also been feeding in the surf, and most are ranging from just under slot up to mid-slot. Cut bait has worked best on both the blues and puppy drum.
Sea mullet and croakers have also been in the surf, and they are feeding on fresh shrimp.
Nearshore, the spanish bite has picked up, and anglers are finding the most success with Bowed Up spoons. Anglers are also hooking in to small blues while trolling for the spanish.
The cobia bite has been great this week, with many sight fishing opportunities. Anglers are connecting with them around turtles and have seen many fish free swimming. Bucktails tipped with 8-10” curly tail plastics have done the trick.
Britton Stewart landed this cobia while fishing just off the beach between Oregon Inlet and Corolla.
Offshore, the bottom fishing has been consistent in the 200’ range for tilefish and black sea bass. Dropping cut bait (squid and mullet) has worked the best on the bottom.
Offshore in the 30 mile range, the mahi and yellowfin tuna have been feeding well. Most fish have been hitting both naked and skirted ballyhoo. The best colors have been blue and white as well as blue and pink. Kite fishing has also produced a few fish.
