Northern Beaches – October 12, 2017
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the surf zone has produced bluefish, black drum, sea mullet, spanish, puppy drum, and spot. A mix of fresh shrimp, bloodworms, sand fleas, and fresh cut mullet has gotten the job done in the suds. A few citation-sized red drum have also been landed on cut mullet.
In the sound, speckled trout, puppy drum, flounder, and striper have all been landed. Live baits like finger mullet, shrimp, and mud minnows have worked well under float rigs and on Carolina rigs. Artificials (like Gulp soft plastics) and topwater plugs have also produced.
Offshore, anglers have landed limits of yellowfin tuna and good numbers of wahoo. A few mahi and blackfin tuna have also been in the mix.
There have been a few white marlin releases as well.
Ross, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers venturing offshore have been rewarded with limits of yellowfin tuna. Mahi fishing has also picked back up, with some days producing limits of fish. A few blackfin tuna have been in the mix, too.
Striper fishing inshore has produced double digit days. Speckled trout fishing has continued to heat up, and anglers have landed limits of fish on live shrimp and artificials. A few redfish have been landed, too.
Those bottom fishing inshore have landed flounder, sea mullet, bluefish, and black sea bass.
Raven, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that yellowfin tuna have been the star of the show. Anglers have landed limits on most trips to the bluewater. A few dolphin have also been hooked.
In the sound, puppy drum and speckled trout fishing has been solid. Limits of fish have been common using both live and artificial baits.
Striper, flounder, and sea mullet have also been landed in the sound.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise, reports that speckled trout fishing continues to produce plenty of action. Topwater plugs, popping cork rigs, and live bait under floats have all worked on the trout.
Puppy drum have been active on the shallow flats. Cut baits and spoons have been the ticket for the reds.
Targeting drop-offs in the sound has worked well for flounder. Casting live baits on Carolina rigs, as well as Gulp soft plastics, has gotten the job done.
Jessica McLean with a 23” speckled trout caught while fishing behind the Outer Banks.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that good numbers of red drum in the 40”+ range have been hooked from the pier. Fresh cut mullet has been the bait of choice. A few keeper-sized puppy drum have also been landed.
Those fishing the bottom with fresh shrimp and sand fleas have landed bluefish, spot, pompano, sea mullet, and speckled trout.
Tim, of Nags Head Pier, reports that anglers plugging from the end of the pier have hooked into plenty of spanish and bluefish. Those fishing the bottom have landed pompano, flounder, speckled trout, and big red drum. Fresh shrimp, cut mullet, sand fleas, and bloodworms have all worked well.
Mark, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that puppy drum and speckled trout have fed well in the surf zone. Fresh cut mullet and shrimp have gotten the job done.
In the sound, the puppy drum bite has heated up. Cut mullet, as well as Gulp soft plastics, have worked well. The speckled trout have also started moving in to the area. Targeting the marsh with live shrimp and popping cork rigs has worked best.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that night fishing in the surf has produced big red drum in the 40”+ range. Fresh cut mullet has been the key to hooking them.
Fishing the bottom with a mix of cut mullet and fresh shrimp has produced some good fish for the cooler. Puppy drum, bluefish, sea mullet, croaker, spot, and black drum have all been landed.
Just off the beach, false albacore, spanish, and bluefish have been mixed together and feeding around bait pods. Casting jigs and trolling spoons have produced plenty of action.
Kings have also moved closer to the beach. Live baits have been the key to hooking the kings.
In the inlet, a mix of gray trout, puppy drum, sea mullet, and flounder have all been landed when fishing the bottom.
