Hatteras – September 28, 2017
Blake, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers fishing in the sound have had success throwing popping cork rigs with Z-Man and Gulp soft plastics, with speckled trout and slot-sized puppy drum holding near the marsh. Topwater plugs have also worked well, and the Rebel Jumpin Minnows and the Tactical Anglers CrossOvers have been the top producers.
Those targeting the bridges with live fiddler crabs have picked up a few sheepshead. Most fish have been in the 2-5 lb. range.
Out in the surf, the red drum bite has started to heat up. Slot-sized fish, as well as over-slot fish, are being landed. Those using fresh cut mullet have had the most success.
Sea mullet are feeding well in the suds. Fresh shrimp and sand fleas have both done well at tempting the mullet to bite.
Rick Porter with a 34” red drum that fell for a mullet on a slider rig. He was fishing near Oregon Inlet.
Leslie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that those fishing the bottom with sand fleas, bloodworms, and fresh shrimp have hooked into sea mullet, speckled trout, pompano, and a few flounder.
Anglers fishing bigger baits (such as cut mullet) have caught good numbers of puppy drum.
Casting Gotcha plugs in the early morning and late evening hours has produced high numbers of bluefish.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf fishing has been hit or miss, but those putting their time in have hooked into a few fish. Puppy drum, flounder, and pompano have all been landed from the surf and pier. Fresh shrimp, sand fleas and cut mullet fished on the bottom have been the top producers.
In the sound, the puppy drum and speckled trout bite has stayed steady. Those focusing on marsh banks and points have found the best numbers of fish. Soft plastics like Gulp and Z-Man have done the trick when rigged under popping corks.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that slot-sized puppy drum have been providing some fun action from the pier. Cut mullet fished on the bottom has been the best way to link up with a few fish.
Those using fresh shrimp and bloodworms on the bottom have landed good numbers of sea mullet. Bluefish are also feeding well off the pier, and casting metal jigs and Gotcha plugs has gotten the job done.
Kelly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf fishing has heated up a little. Anglers looking for puppy drum have found good numbers holding in the suds, and cut mullet has been the top bait. Flounder, pompano, and sea mullet have also been feeding well in the surf zone. A mixture of cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and sand fleas has worked best.
Good numbers of bluefish have been holding in the surf, too. Casting Gotcha plugs has been the key to landing the blues.
In the sound, the puppy drum fishing has continued to provide anglers with plenty of action. Fishing cut mullet on Carolina rigs (as well as soft plastics under popping corks) has worked best.
Tiffani Collier with a 44” red drum that went for cut mullet in the surf near Buxton.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that surf fishing has produced good numbers of puppy drum. Most fish have been in the slot, and they’ve bitten on fresh cut mullet.
Inshore fishing has been heating up, and speckled trout have been the main target. Limits of fish in the 2-4 lb. range have been landed, and a mix of live shrimp and soft plastics has gotten the job done on the specs. A few puppy drum have also been holding with the trout.
Those venturing offshore have found strong numbers of wahoo. On many days, anglers have landed between 5-10 fish.
Those dropping to the bottom offshore have had success landing triggerfish.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that red drum numbers have continued to rise inshore, with anglers finding the most action on the flats.
Speckled trout fishing has picked up with the increased presence of mullet inshore. Flounder (and a few bluefish in the 2-3 lb. range) have also been taking advantage of the finger mullet in the shallows.
A couple of cobia were hooked on their way out through the inlet.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that offshore fishing has produced steady catches of wahoo, with a few blackfin tuna in the mix. The dolphin bite has also heated back up, and anglers have found limits of fish some days.
A few kings are hanging around near the dolphin.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that wahoo is the main offshore action these days. Many boats are catching multiple fish on just about every trip. Some of the wahoo have been larger fish (citation-size).
The main area to target has been in the 35-40 mile range, wth the majority of the bites coming on the planer rod. Pink/blue/white (as well as purple/black) skirted ballyhoo is the best tactic.
The dolphin bite has been strong (double digit days), with mostly gaffers and a few bailers. There are also a few sails in the mix, and bottom fishermen are enjoying a strong triggerfish bite.
Alan, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that those hitting the surf zone have found a mix of puppy drum and citation-sized red drum. Fishing fresh cut mullet on the bottom has gotten the job done. Those using fresh shrimp and sand fleas have landed black drum, sea mullet, bluefish, flounder, sea mullet, and pompano. A few spanish have also been landed early in the morning when casting Gotcha plugs and Stingsilvers.
Inshore fishing has produced a mix of puppy drum and big drum. Targeting ledges and shoals with cut mullet has been the key to getting strikes. In addition, anglers have found gray trout, speckled trout, and flounder when fishing the sound.
Offshore, the wahoo bite has heated up. Trolling rigged ballyhoo has been the ticket for these tasty fish. A few billfish, mainly sailfish and white marlin, and bailer-sized dolphin have also been in the mix.
