Hatteras – August 3, 2017
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers fishing the surf have found plenty of sea mullet to put in the cooler. Fishing fresh shrimp or sand fleas on the bottom has worked best.
In the sound, the topwater speckled trout bite has been great in the early mornings and late evenings. Most trout landed have been in the 22-23” range. A few slot redfish have been in the mix as well. Keeper flounder are also being landed in the sound. The best tactic has been fishing Gulp plastics on the bottom or live finger mullet on Carolina rigs.
Around the Oregon Inlet Bridge, anglers are having success hooking black drum and sheepshead. Dropping live fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and fresh shrimp have been the most productive baits.
David Funk with a red drum landed near the south point of Cape Hatteras. The fish fell for a piece of cut mullet in the surf.
Clyde, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that croaker, pompano, and a few whiting are hitting fresh shrimp and bloodworms on the bottom. Spanish and bluefish have been feeding early in the morning and late in the evenings. Gotcha plugs have worked best for both.
A few tarpon have been hooked off the end of the of the pier, but none have been landed yet.
Harry, of Avon Pier, reports that those fishing fresh shrimp and sand fleas on the bottom have been able to land enough fish to fill the cooler. Croaker, sea mullet, and pompano have been the main catches.
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf fishing has produced a variety of fish. Those tossing fresh shrimp and sand fleas have hooked into bluefish, sea mullet, pompano, and flounder.
Inshore, the red drum bite has picked up. Tossing a Gulp shrimp in pearl white rigged on a 1/4 oz. jig head or a live mullet pinned on a Carolina rig have been the best two tactics.
While fishing for reds, a few flounder have been in the mix. On most days, though, anglers have had to weed through the smaller fish to find the keepers.
Speckled trout are starting to feed better around the marsh. Tossing live shrimp under a float rig has been the best way to connect with the specs.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that red drum fishing in the sound has produced slot fish of all sizes, including increased catches of over-slot fish. For the bigger red drum, fishing fresh cut mullet works best.
Speckled trout fishing has been solid in the sound. Topwater plugs are an effective way to target them, and some fish landed have pushed the 8 lb. mark.
Surf fishing has been on the slower side, but those putting their time in have caught a few fish. Bluefish, pompano, sea mullet, and spanish have all been landed. The spanish and blues have fallen for Stingsilvers and other plugs cast from the beach and piers, while the sea mullet and pompano are eating fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms.
Offshore, the wahoo bite is starting to heat up, and many anglers are bringing back a couple of fish each trip. Most of the wahoo have been in the 45-60 lb. range.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that red drum fishing around the shallow grass flats has been consistent. Anglers tossing gold spoons over the shallows have been hooking into reds ranging in size between mid and over-slot.
A few spanish and some bigger bluefish have been feeding in the sound as well. Most of the spanish and blues are falling for metal jigs while casting around pods of fish.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the wahoo bite has picked up some, and trolling high speed lures has worked best.
Billfish are still in the area. Anglers have recently jumped off a few blue marlin and have had some successful sailfish releases. A handful of dolphin have also been in the mix, with most of the mahi being found around color changes.
For those dropping to the bottom, grouper and snapper have been the main targets.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that the wahoo bite has turned on. In addition, many anglers have found a few mahi, blackfins, and yellowfins while trolling.
The sailfish bite has been hot, as many successful releases have been made. Trolling naked or slightly dressed ballyhoo has been the ticket.
Bottom fishing has provided steady action, with amberjacks, triggerfish, tilefish, snapper, and grouper all being landed. Both live and cut baits are producing.
Jimmy, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing has been steady when targeting whiting, flounder, croaker, and pompano. Rigging a piece of fresh shrimp, sand flea, or bloodworm has been the best way to land high numbers of fish.
Inshore fishing has started to pick up, and those targeting puppy drum have had consistent success. Working marsh points with live bait has been the best way to target the drum. While drum fishing, anglers have found that flounder are feeding in the same areas. Most of the flatfish have been on the short side, but a few keepers have been landed. Spanish and speckled trout have also been feeding inshore.
Offshore, the tuna bite has slowed down, but those still chasing them have hooked a few, primarily blackfins. Small dolphin (in the 4-8 lb. range) have also been in the mix, and a few billfish are in the area.
