Hatteras/Ocracoke – Aug 16, 2018
Eric, of Hatteras Jack, reports that bluefish are being caught early in the day and within casting distance of shore for anglers throwing glass minnow jigs.
Frisco and Buxton area beaches are seeing some pompano being landed on sand fleas.
A few spanish mackerel have been hooked in the surf from Buxton and further south.
Sea mullet and spot seem to be everywhere, and they are being caught by anglers fishing bloodworms and sand fleas on bottom rigs.
Anglers fishing the pilings of Bonner Bridge have reported some big sheepshead caught on fiddler crabs.
Ken, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that the bluefish bite has been steady for anglers rigged with Gotcha plugs. A few blues are feeding on cut baits fished along the bottom as well.
Spot seem to have dominated the bottom bite, though, with large numbers of fish being reported, as well as a bunch of sea mullet.
Brian Hedrick landed this red drum while fishing the jetties near the Hatteras Lighthouse.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that sea mullet have been biting extremely well in the area. A variety of baits fished along the bottom (bloodworms, shrimp, squid, and sand fleas) have all produced fish.
Bluefish have been reported in the Avon area, and anglers fishing around peak crowd times have had better luck finding the schools working the surface. Glass minnow jigs and chrome-colored casting spoons have both produced.
Pompano and flounder are still in close to the shore. The dirty water doesn’t push them far off, but more fish tend to be reported on clear water days.
Sharks are being caught on Carolina-rigged cut mullet.
Toby, of Avon Pier, reports that bottom fishing is very good for sea mullet, pinfish, and spots. Fresh shrimp has been great in getting fish over the rail.
Bluefish are being caught by anglers using Gotcha plugs.
Pompano have been hooked by working the area close to the whitewash.
A lot of blacktip sharks are hitting cut baits fished on the bottom.
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports that bluefish are being caught early in the day between the sandbars on casting spoons.
A couple flounder are chewing in deeper holes on soft plastics and shrimp.
Pompano have been reported more frequently with the cleaner water pushing back in. Smaller hooks and Carolina-rigged sand fleas have been working great for anglers fishing the first ledge in the surf.
A few spanish mackerel have hit glass minnow jigs when the fish push close enough for the surf casters.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that wahoo have been the hot bite, with a bunch of larger fish (to 40 lbs.) being brought in from offshore.
Dolphin have been biting well, but the grass offshore is thick and has made the troll bite hard. A majority of the fish are gaffers, and less numbers of bailers have been caught since the storm.
Some white marlin and sailfish are being reported, but the bite hasn’t been “on fire.”
King mackerel are showing in better numbers in recent days.
Bottom fishing has been great for those working live bottoms and wrecks in the area. Some good-sized triggerfish and black sea bass are being caught on cut baits.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel fishing has been awesome, with large numbers of fish schooled up outside the surf.
A couple cobia are being landed by anglers sight casting.
The citation red drum bite has been very good, with some large fish (to 48”) being caught around the inlets on cut bait.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that the “old” red drum action has been very good around the inlet. Large chunks of mullet on a Carolina rig has worked great when fished in some of the deeper channels that border a ledge.
Some keeper-sized flounder are feeding around the drop-offs in the sound.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are being caught by anglers trolling nearshore.
Isaac Hawley with a striper that he caught while topwater fishing around some pilings in the Pungo River.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that citation wahoo have been making a good showing on recent trips.
Dolphin fishing is still in its summer pattern, though the grass has made trolling for them a bit tough. The grass has been bunching up better, though, and the bite is anticipated to pick up.
Some blackfin tuna are hitting skirted baits.
Bottom fishing continues to be great for triggerfish at some of the local live bottoms and wrecks.
Barracuda are also hanging around these wrecks.
Trolling has produced some nice-sized king mackerel and the occasional false albacore.
Bill, of Predator Sportfishing, reports that the grass is thick offshore, and anglers are having to work for the mahi bite. The good news is that a large number of these fish have been gaffer-sized with only a couple of bailers mixed in.
Wahoo have been feeding well offshore and are hitting skirted baits. A number of the wahoo are citations.
Bottom fishing has been very productive, with good-sized grouper and a bunch of triggerfish hanging around the wrecks.
Billfish action hasn’t been “on fire,” but there are a few releases steadily coming on recent trips.
Jessie, of Carolina Girl Sportfishing, reports that wahoo fishing has been very good in regards to the numbers and sizes of fish being caught.
Yellowfin tuna have made a strong showing as well, and the wahoo are a welcome surprise as they are not usually caught this time of year.
Sailfish releases are being reported on skirted baits.
Grouper, snapper, and triggerfish are filling coolers in short time for anglers dropping to the bottom.
Ken, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that sea mullet are actively feeding for anglers soaking fresh shrimp in the surf zone.
Bluefish are hitting cut baits and glass minnow jigs cast towards feeding schools.
