Hatteras – June 22, 2017
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers tossing Stingsilvers from the beach are landing plenty of bluefish and spanish. Those fishing fresh shrimp on the surf bottom have landed good numbers of flounder, but most are shy of the legal limit.
Tim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that spanish and bluefish have been the main target on the pier, and Gotcha plugs have been producing the best results. Anglers fishing fresh shrimp on the bottom have hooked under-sized flounder, while those using cut bait have hooked slot-sized puppy drum.
Troy Reynolds, of Chesapeake VA, with a mahi caught off of Hatteras on a bait shower daisy chain.
Stephanie, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf angler are catching sea mullet and pompano on sand fleas, and casting Stingsilvers has produced good numbers of spanish. A couple cobia have also been landed from the surf.
On the sound side, cut mullet has been getting the job done on slot-sized puppy drum, and those throwing Gulp shrimp in pearl white have hooked limits of speckled trout. Flounder have also been feeding near the trout, and they are willing to take a Gulp shrimp or live mud minnow rigged on a Carolina rig. Small striper and bluefish have also been caught on Gulp baits.
Kristin, of Avon Pier, reports that bluefish and spanish have been the most abundant action from the pier. Tossing Gotcha plugs has been the key to landing good numbers of fish. Sea mullet, croaker, and under-sized flounder have been around and willing to take fresh shrimp fished on the bottom.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf anglers are connecting with sea mullet, puppy drum, and a few pompano. Sand fleas, cut shrimp, and bloodworms have been the baits of choice. A couple of cobia have also been landed in the surf zone.
Anglers fishing the sound have had luck floating live shrimp and mud minnows for speckled trout. Gulp shrimp in new penny and pearl white rigged on a 1/4 oz. jig head have also been effective on the trout.
Small flounder have moved in to the sound and are being caught while fishing for the trout.
Jam, of Teach’s Lair, reports that anglers targeting yellowfin tuna in the Gulf Stream have had double digit days. Many fish have been large, but one fish landed pushed the scales to 109 lbs. Mahi have also been feeding at the Stream, and trolling rigged ballyhoo has been the ticket. Anglers have found plenty of fish around weed lines and temperature breaks, and most fish have been gaffers.
Blackfin tuna and wahoo have also been mixed in, but mahi seem to be beating them to the baits. Billfish action is still available to anglers fishing the far side of the Gulf Stream. Trolling Ilander lures has raised a few fish.
Bottom fishing has been productive when targeting grouper, black sea bass, and snapper. Anglers dropping live and cut baits in the 200′ range have seen the most success.
Nearshore spanish fishing has stayed steady, and trolling Clarkspoons and fishing live menhaden has produced the most strikes. Many fish have been in the 2-3 lb. range, but citation-sized spanish are feeding, as fish as large as 7 lbs. have been boxed. Bluefish have been in the mix with the spanish.
Surf anglers are also connecting with blues and spanish while walking the beach. Tossing lures like Stingsilvers has produced the best bite. Casting out sand fleas and Fish Bites sand flea baits has put plenty of sea mullet and pompano in the coolers.
Michael Leggett, from Mechanicsburg PA, with a 63 lb. cobia caught inside Hatteras Inlet on fresh bunker. Leggett was fishing with Captain Rick Scarborough of Speck-Tackler Charters.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that the redfish are feeding on the skinny water flats in the sound. Anglers tossing gold spoons and topwater plugs have hooked in to limits of reds. The fly rod has also been an effective method for hooking reds in the shallows.
Keeper trout have been feeding around the marsh grass, and Z-Man plastics rigged under popping corks have been deadly on the specs. Most trout have been in the 1-3 lb. range.
Off the beach, the spanish and bluefish bite has slowed down a bit. Trolling Clarkspoons is the best bet to get a strike from these fish.
Cobia are still hanging around the inlets. Tossing bucktails to these fish around bait pods and structure has worked best.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that dolphin fishing has filled the coolers and provided plenty of fast-paced action. Most fish have been slingers, but there have been a few gaffers in the mix. Targeting color changes and weed lines has been the most effective method.
Some blackfin tuna have been in the mix, too.
Blue marlin are also in this range, and anglers trolling Ilander lures have had some successful releases.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that limits of bailer and gaffer dolphin are feeding around weed lines in the 20 mile range. Sailfish and blue marlin have also been active in the same areas, and trolling Ilander lures in purple and black has connected anglers with multiple blue marlin.
Amberjacks have been feeding well in around 250′ of water. Anglers fishing the bottom out around 600′ of water are pulling up citation grouper, tilefish, and triggerfish while using cut baits.
Paul Park, of Greenville, NC, caught this red drum (40″) on cut mullet on a fish finder rig. He was surf fishing the point of Buxton.
Ken, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are landing sea mullet and pompano on fresh shrimp and sand fleas. Puppy drum have also been in the surf, and they are willing to take fresh cut bait. Casting spoons and Stingsilvers from the surf has been the best method to land good numbers of spanish and bluefish.
In the sound, anglers fishing in the marsh grass have connected with mid to upper-slot puppy drum. Speckled trout have also been feeding and are looking for live shrimp under floats or artificial shrimp such as D.O.A. or Gulp shrimp rigged on popping corks. Flounder have made their way inshore, but most fish are undersized.
A few cobia are still being caught in the sound as well, and drift fishing deep holes with fresh or live menhaden is the best bet for the cobia.
Nearshore, spanish and kings have been feeding in the 1-5 mile range.
