Hatteras – July 20, 2017
Mike, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf fishing has slowed down a bit with the inconsistent weather. Those that have fished with fresh shrimp and sand fleas have been able to land decent numbers of sea mullet and croaker.
Casting Stingsilvers from the piers and surf has produced good numbers of spanish and bluefish.
In the sound, anglers targeting speckled trout have done well using scented plastics under popping corks around marsh lines closer to the higher part of the tide. Red drum have also been feeding in the same areas, and popping cork rigs will work for them, too, as will soft plastics and jig heads fished on the bottom.
Flounder have been feeding well in the sound, and throwing live minnows on Carolina rigs has been the best bet to hook into keeper-sized fish. A few red drum (and flounder) have been landed when working soft plastics off the bottom.
Around the inlets and jetties, trout and redfish are starting to show up, and anglers should see action in these areas heat up soon.
Natalie Leggett, with a 22 lb. mahi that fell for a ballyhoo while trolling. She was fishing with Capt. Mitch McFrederick of Patriot Fishing Charters.
Clyde, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers fishing the bottom with fresh shrimp have hooked into spot and croaker. Those tossing cut baits on bottom rigs have landed good numbers of bluefish and a few sharks.
Tim, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf fishing has been hit or miss lately. When anglers have given it a go, bloodworms have been the bait of choice for landing croaker and sea mullet. Hitting the surf early in the morning has produced a few spanish while casting jigs, and some red drum have been feeding on cut bait. Sharks have also been landed from the surf.
In the sound, speckled trout have been the best bet to provide anglers with consistent action. Early mornings and late evenings have been the best time to target specs, and fishing live shrimp under float rigs has been the best method.
Harry, of Avon Pier, reports that shark fishing from the pier has provided anglers with plenty of action. Mostly small sharks have been landed, but a few have hit the 6′ mark. A couple of dolphin have also been landed from the end of the pier.
Bottom fishing with fresh shrimp has produced sea mullet, croaker, spadefish, and sheepshead. A few bluefish and spanish have been in the mix, too, and tossing Gotcha plugs has been the most effective method for them. Night fishing has worked best on all species.
The water temperature is 83 degrees.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers fishing the surf zone have had luck landing flounder and pompano on fresh shrimp, cut mullet, and squid.
On the sound side, puppy drum and speckled trout have been feeding well. Casting a 3” pearl white Gulp shrimp rigged on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz. jig head has been the best way to land numbers of either species.
Flounder gigging has started to heat up in the sound, as anglers covering good amounts of water at night are being rewarded with limits of flatfish.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that anglers trolling ballyhoo out at the Gulf Stream are hooking up with good numbers of dolphin. Blue marlin and sailfish action has also been steady, and a few white marlin have been in the mix as well.
Bottom fishing offshore has provided plenty of action with black sea bass, triggerfish, and amberjacks.
Inshore fishing has remained steady, with lots of speckled trout and puppy drum being landed. The trout have been hitting soft plastics worked on the bottom, and the puppy drum have keyed in on gold spoons.
Around the inlets, those tossing bucktails and live bait have hooked up on larger red drum.
The prevailing southwest wind has slowed the surf fishing down, but anglers putting in their time are landing a few pompano, sea mullet, and spanish.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that the water has cleared up in the sound and that has made for some excellent sight fishing for redfish. Working gold spoons on the flats has been the ticket for landing fish in the 24-36” range. A few flounder and speckled trout are also feeding on the flats. Around the inlets, bluefish and sharks are actively feeding. Cape Point has also been holding large schools of bluefish. Off the beach around the bait pods, sharks and large red drum (up to the 50 lb. mark) have been feeding well.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that dolphin fishing offshore has produced high numbers of fish, with a mix of bailer and gaffer fish. Most days are producing catches well into the double digits.
A few sailfish have been around. Blue and white marlin are also still feeding in the area, and anglers are having the most success trolling Ilander lures.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that sailfish have been feeding in the 20 mile range, as there have been multiple releases made in that zone. Trolling rigged ballyhoo has been the best bet for the sailfish, and a few blue and white marlin have also been in the area.
Dolphin and amberjacks have been feeding in this same range. Most of the dolphin have been bailers, but a few gaffers have been in the mix.
Nearshore, spanish and bluefish continue to give anglers plenty of action, and trolling Clarkspoons has been the best method for producing double digit numbers.
Jimmy, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing has filled the coolers with bluefish, sea mullet, pompano, and a few flounder.
Fishing on the sound side has been consistent, with anglers hooking into gray trout, bluefish, and spanish.
