Northern Beaches – September 14, 2017
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing continues to provide a variety of species for anglers in the area. Sea mullet, pompano, speckled trout, and black drum have all been willing to take a sand flea or fresh piece of shrimp fished on the bottom. Puppy drum have also been feeding in the surf zone, and fresh cut mullet has been the ticket for getting them to bite.
In the sound, anglers casting out fresh shrimp and sand fleas have hooked into sheepshead and a few croaker. Puppy drum and speckled trout fishing has been steady near the marsh areas. Live shrimp and minnows have been the top baits. A few spanish and bluefish have also been landed inshore.
The nearshore bite has heated up, with spanish and bluefish schooling up near the beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons and casting jigs have both been productive methods.
Those headed offshore have found good numbers of yellowfin and blackfin tuna, as well as mahi. A few wahoo have been landed as well. Anglers chasing billfish have been on a predominant white marlin bite.
James T. Bratton, of Roanoke, VA, with a 28” red drum that fell for a bloodworm alternative under the James River Bridge in Newport News, VA.
Norma, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that tuna fishing remains steady, with good numbers of yellowfin and blackfin tuna being landed. Wahoo have also begun to move in to the area and have started to be caught in higher numbers. In addition, mahi fishing has heated back up, and anglers trolling have landed limits of fish.
Nearshore fishing for spanish and bluefish has been solid. Trolling Clarkspoons has been the most effective method for landing high numbers of fish. A few small kings have also been in the mix. On the bottom, the triggerfish bite has stayed steady, and many anglers have landed good numbers of fish.
Flounder up to and over the 20” mark have been caught inshore. Live finger mullet has been the best bait. Those chasing speckled trout have been rewarded with limits of fish from the marsh. Puppy drum (as well as some big red drum) have been holding inshore. Fresh cut mullet has been the top bait. Those looking to bottom fish have landed sea mullet, spot, and croaker on fresh shrimp and sand fleas.
Laurie, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that the billfish bite is still happening offshore. Anglers have had multiple blue and white marlin releases. The mahi bite has picked up, with many trips seeing double digit numbers of fish.
The nearshore spanish bite has remained steady. Trolling Clarkspoons near bait pods and around nearshore structure has provided plenty of action. A few dolphin have also been landed nearshore.
The speckled trout fishing inshore has picked up considerably. Anglers tossing live shrimp, as well as soft plastics under popping corks, have found good numbers of fish in the marsh.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise, reports that speckled trout fishing has turned on. Topwater plugs and soft plastics under popping corks have been the go-to methods for hooking specs. On most days, anglers have found limits of fish.
On the flats, the drum fishing has provided anglers with plenty of action. Casting gold spoons has been the key to getting good numbers of bites.
A few flounder are being picked up inshore as well. Working marsh lines and banks with soft plastics on jig heads has been the best way to target the flatfish.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that those casting sand fleas, bloodworms, and fresh shrimp from the pier have landed sand perch, sea mullet, and croaker.
A few big red drum have also been landed. Those fishing large pieces of fresh cut mullet on the bottom have had the most success.
Jerry, of Nags Head Pier, reports that speckled trout fishing is starting to pick up. Anglers casting fresh shrimp and soft plastics from the pier have landed a few keeper fish. Those fishing the bottom with fresh shrimp have boxed a good number of spot.
Casting Gotcha plugs has proved successful for hooking in to plenty of bluefish action.
Bob, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing has started to heat up, with a variety of species being landed. Spot, croaker, sea mullet, flounder, and red drum have all been landed in the surf zone. Anglers have had the most success using fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and fresh cut mullet.
Brody Sabadic (age 3) with a striped bass that struck a Z-Man soft plastic near Nags Head.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers casting plugs from the surf have hooked into plenty of spanish and bluefish action. Those casting out sand fleas, bloodworms, and fresh shrimp on bottom rigs have landed sea mullet, croaker, and spot. For puppy drum, fresh cut mullet has been the ticket in tempting a bite.
Inshore fishing has been steady. Most anglers have had success fishing close to the inlets with live finger mullet on Carolina rigs, with flounder and puppy drum both being landed.
Just off the beach, there have been spanish, bluefish, and false albacore schooled up and feeding well. Trolling Clarkspoons and casting jigs have both been effective methods for hooking fish. A few kings and amberjacks have also been landed nearshore.
