Northern Beaches – October 25, 2018
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that inshore fishing has been difficult due to rough conditions, but when boats are able to make it out, they’re finding spanish up to 8 lbs. In addition, boats are regularly landing bluefish, speckled trout, and false albacore.
On the sound side, the Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway has been producing good numbers of stripers and trout (mostly small, with the occasional keeper). A spot has also been caught here and there.
In the surf, bluefish are hitting most everywhere. Sea mullet, pompano, and some trout have been scattered on the southern beaches, and drum are being caught at the Point and near Corolla and Carova.
Offshore anglers are having the same problem as the inshore boats—lots of wind and rough seas are making trips hard to take. However, there are plenty of fish to be caught when the weather allows. Blackfin, yellowfin, wahoo, kings, and the occasional mahi have all been in the mix.
Kevin, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the past two weeks have been cursed with bad weather, and the fleet hasn’t been able to get out on the water. When conditions allow, the catch is expected to include tuna (yellowfins and blackfins), wahoo, and perhaps a mahi or two.
Jason Breiholz with a striper caught in the sound behind Kitty Hawk.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise, reports that fantastic fall fishing is underway. Slot drum are happily biting Gulps suspended under corks on a shallow leader. Big drum are hitting cut mullet, with fish up to 50” not out of the realm of possibility.
Flounder have been around as well, with live baits and Gulps on jigs accounting for most of the flatfish bite.
Jerry, of Fishing Unlimited, reports that sound anglers have noticed more activity from the striped bass in the area. All striper fishermen have their own opinion on what the best bait is, so pick your favorite when looking for the stripers.
Speckled trout have been plentiful, but sizes have been hit or miss. Some days you can find plenty of keepers, and the next day they’ll all be short. Gulp baits and other soft plastics are working for all sizes.
Some puppy drum and a few black drum have come in as well. Cut mullet seems to be the ticket for the reds, while the black drum prefer shrimp.
Greg Sherman showing off a striper that he caught while fishing in the sound near Kitty Hawk.
Tammy, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that fishing has been good despite the rough conditions in recent days. Nearshore anglers are finding stripers, flounder, and spanish on every trip out.
In deeper water, tuna have arrived in big numbers over the past weekend, with a 275 lb. big eye hitting the scales, in addition to plenty of yellowfin and blackfin. Mahi have been biting regularly, as have a handful of blue marlin. Three swordfish (one as big as 528 lbs.) have also been caught.
Anthony, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that spot (including some yellowbellies), spanish mackerel, small black drum (with a few bigger ones mixed in), a few 22” keeper specks, gray trout, sea mullet, pompano (up to citation size), and croakers are all being caught. Shrimp and bloodworms are accounting for mosty everything being brought over the rails.
Puppy drum have been landed as well, and some big old drum are being caught on spot or croaker heads.
Jim, of Nags Head Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and blues are hitting Gotcha plugs, and a lot of mullet, trout, and drum are also being caught. The trout are partial to grubs on jig heads, while the rest of the fish will fall for a variety of artificials.
A few spots have made runs here and there as well.
Cindy, of Avalon Pier, reports that over-slot red drum, 18-24” puppy drum, 24” black drum, speckled trout, spot, and sea mullet have accounted for most of the pier’s catch over the last two weeks. Spot heads are being used for the big drum, and shrimp, cut bait, and bloodworms are working for everything else.
Mark, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the surf is producing pretty much every type of fish that you can expect to catch this time of year. The biggest catches have been pompano, flounder, drum, bluefish, and trout. Some of these species have been found around the inlet, but the suds and just beyond have been the best places to target.
