Hatteras April 24, 2014
Madison Beaver with her first puppy drum. The pup fell for a Gulp bait beneath a popping cork while she was kayak fishing the Pamlico Sound with her stepfather, Rob Alderman of Outer Banks Kayak Fishing.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the recent nor’easter has slowed fishing action and dropped the water temperatures quite a bit, but fishing was good before the storm and should come around soon after the weather moderates. Sea mullet and pufferfish have made a solid appearance, and anglers were hooking big numbers of both on shrimp and bloodworms before the ocean got dirty and rough.
The puppy drum bite hadn’t slowed down as of last week either, and anglers have been finding the fish around Hatteras and Oregon inlets and along the beachfront in between. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits or soft lures (like Gulps) are the way to go for the pups.
Anglers had just begun to see a decent showing of citation-class reds around Cape Point last week, and there should be some more action with the big fish before the spring season winds down. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are the best bets for the bull reds.
Michael, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers were catching solid numbers of panfish last week before the wind cranked up. Spot, croaker, pufferfish, and sea mullet have all been falling for shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs.
Heather Shaw, of Hatteras Island, with a 49″ red drum she caught and released in the surf at Cape Point after it fell for a chunk of menhaden.
Tammy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that before the high winds and surf last weekend, anglers had started to see some promising signs of spring fishing. Sea mullet and pufferfish have shown up, so the panfish should be around and feeding once things calm down. Shrimp and bloodworms will fool both of the small bottom feeders.
Bluefish (both large and small) have also arrived and should be around when the weather improves. They’ll bite a variety of baits or metal casting lures.
The puppy drum bite that’s been going all winter also hadn’t slowed as of last week, and anglers were hooking the pups on cut baits, shrimp, and soft plastics.
Anglers were releasing some large, citation-class reds from the beach around Cape Point last week as well, with large cut baits fooling most of the fish.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that before the 5-day nor-easter last week, anglers saw some excellent surf action on Hatteras Island’s southern beaches. Panfish (like sea mullet, pufferfish, croaker, and spot) have shown up, and they are biting shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs.
The puppy drum action was also still going last week, for anglers both soaking baits and working lures.
Cale, Todd, Michael, and Bryson Alligood, and Mac Cress, of Salisbury, NC, with some of the puppy drum and other fish they hooked on fresh shrimp while fishing the Cape Lookout surf.
Bluefish have arrived as well, and they should be around and hungry when the seas calm.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that the weather kept most anglers off the water last weekend, but there was some solid action last week. Surf casters are still finding puppy drum on the Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras beaches. Both bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits and Gulps or other soft plastics will fool the puppies.
Sea mullet, pufferfish, bluefish, sharks, and skates have also been taking an interest in anglers’ bottom rigs in the surf.
Last week saw anglers releasing some citation-class red drum at night while fishing Cape Point. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are the way to go for the big reds.
Inshore boats reported that the stellar puppy drum bite continued last week, with fish falling for gold spoons and other artificials.
The offshore fleet also hasn’t sailed much lately due to the wind, but the spring fishing is showing signs of life when they can get out. Boats trolling ballyhoo and skirted lures are connecting with solid numbers of blackfin tuna, along with wahoo and some dolphin. Local crews also released a pair of blue marlin last week while trolling the Gulf Stream, so don’t rule out a billfish encounter.
Offshore bottom fishing has been solid as well, with boats putting beeliners, triggerfish, grouper, and other tasty bottom dwellers on ice.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that the relentless nor’easter has kept most anglers off the beaches lately, but the puppy drum action has still been solid when anglers are fishing. Most of the pups are falling for cut baits and shrimp on bottom rigs.
Anglers have also released some citation-class reds from the Ocracoke beachfront in recent weeks, with large cut baits on fish finder rigs producing most of the action.
