Northern Beaches – August 17, 2017
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing has been up and down, but those putting in the time have landed sea mullet, croaker, bluefish, sand perch, and pompano. Most fish have been caught on fresh shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas.
Inshore fishing has produced some good catches of speckled trout around the Nags Head/Manteo Causeway.
Just off the beach, anglers have hooked up with bluefish, triggerfish, black sea bass, and false albacore. Dropping a variety of jigs and cut baits has been the ticket to drawing a strike.
Those heading offshore have hooked in to yellowfin, blackfin, and bigeye tuna. Anglers have also found limits of dolphin.
Ross, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers heading offshore have landed limits of yellowfin tuna. Some blackfin and bigeye tuna have also been in the mix.
Billfish have still been hanging around, and there have been a good number of successful blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish releases made. A few wahoo have made their way to the area, too, with one fish hitting the 93 lb. mark.
Inshore fishing has picked up, as anglers have landed limits of flounder, striper, and speckled trout. Most fish have been caught on live bait and soft plastics, but some anglers have had luck landing trout and striper on the fly.
Bluefish are feeding well just off the beach, and anglers trolling Clarkspoons and casting jigs are connecting with plenty of fish.
Nikki, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that fishing for yellowfin tuna remains steady. Anglers are also landing good numbers of blackfin and bigeye tuna while targeting yellowfin. Blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish have been in the mix, too.
Nearshore, anglers targeting spanish and bluefish are finding plenty of action when trolling Clarkspoons.
A few cobia and large red drum have been landed around nearshore structure.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise, reports that puppy drum have been feeding well in the area and are willing to take a variety of baits. Fresh cut mullet, topwaters, and soft plastics rigged on jig heads and under popping corks have all worked well.
Flounder have been feeding steady in the marsh and in the deeper sand channels. Anglers tossing live finger mullet and Gulp soft plastics have found the most action.
Those tossing live shrimp under popping corks around oyster beds have picked up good numbers of trout. Most fish have been keepers and in the 14-20” range.
A few sheepshead are holding on the bridge, and anglers dropping sand fleas are connecting.
Those targeting the surf zone have found a good sea mullet bite on sand fleas. There are a few cobia hanging just off the beach, but most fish have moved out.
Ewing Minor with four sheepshead caught using fiddler crabs near Oregon Inlet.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers casting from the pier have landed good numbers of bluefish on Gotcha plugs.
Those fishing the bottom with sand fleas, fresh shrimp, and bloodworms have hooked croaker, spot, sea mullet, pompano, flounder, and triggerfish.
Tim, of Nags Head Pier, reports that those fishing the bottom with fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms are catching spot, sea mullet, and a few pompano.
Anglers casting Gotcha plugs from the end of the pier are finding good numbers of bluefish.
Bob, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers targeting the surf zone have landed some citation-sized pompano. Sea mullet, flounder, croaker, and spot have also been feeding well. Fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms have all done the trick. Those hitting the surf with fresh cut mullet have had success with slot-sized puppy drum. Most of the better fishing is occurring at night.
Those plugging from the pier have landed solid numbers of spanish and bluefish on Gotcha plugs.
In the sound, anglers targeting speckled trout have done well with live shrimp under float rigs. Larger redfish have also moved into the sound. They are feeding best around the shoals.
Just off the beach, those trolling Clarkspoons are connecting with plenty of spanish and bluefish. Large reds are also holding around nearshore structure, and live mullet (as well as fresh cut mullet) is the key to landing the big red drum.
Those headed offshore have landed good numbers of yellowfin and blackfin tuna. The occasional mahi is mixed in as well, and a few billfish are still in the area.
Lindsey Ratcliff, of Chesapeake, VA, with a 233 lb. big eye tuna. The fish fought for four hours before being boated. She was fishing out of the Oregon Inlet Marina.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that those targeting the surf in the early morning hours have found spanish and bluefish feeding around bait pods. Tossing metal jigs and Gotcha plugs has been the best tactic to land good numbers of fish.
Those fishing with fresh cut mullet in the surf have connected with plenty of puppy drum, and fishing with fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms on the bottom has produced sea mullet and flounder.
Just off the beach, anglers have had success tossing bucktails to large schools of 30-50 lb. red drum. Schools of spanish are also feeding near the bait pods, and most fish have been landed while sight fishing with metal jigs.
Around the nearshore wrecks, amberjacks have been providing plenty of fast-paced action for anglers dropping live and cut baits. Trolling Drone spoons around the wrecks has hooked a good number of kings.
Venturing offshore, anglers have found a good yellowfin and blackfin tuna bite. Wahoo have started moving in to the area and have also been landed in good numbers. A few mahi are in the mix as well.
