Hatteras August 1, 2013
Casey Albano, of Hatteras, NC, with a wahoo that bit an Ilander she tied while she was trolling near the Rockpile on the charterboat “Goodtimes” with Capt. Andy Piland.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are still hooking good numbers of speckled trout and puppy drum while working soft plastic baits and popping cork rigs in the sound near Rodanthe.
Surf casters along Hatteras Island’s northern beaches are connecting with bluefish, sea mullet, and croaker on bottom rigs baited with shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits. Good numbers of pompano have been mixed in on the southern beaches.
Sheepshead are still feeding around the Bonner Bridge and taking an interest in sand fleas, fiddler crabs, and other baits dangled tight to the pilings.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are catching some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working casting lures from the pier when the water’s clean.
Cobia are also making an appearance in the clean water.
When the southwest winds dirty things up, there’s been decent spot and croaker action for bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp and bloodworms.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that despite clean, 80 degree water along the beaches, anglers haven’t seen much of a spanish mackerel bite from the surf yet. Those on the piers are catching a few, so it could happen at any time.
Bottom fishing has been producing most of the action in the breakers, where anglers are hooking sea mullet, spot, croaker, pompano, and some smaller bluefish. Shrimp, bloodworms, and cut baits are producing most of the action.
There’s still a decent puppy drum bite for anglers casting soft plastics and live and cut baits in the sound.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that sea mullet and a few bluefish have been making up most of the surf action recently.
Back in the sound, anglers are hooking speckled trout, puppy drum, flounder, and croaker on natural and artificial baits.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are finding good numbers of sea mullet and pompano from the southern beaches of Hatteras Island. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and sand fleas are producing the majority of both fish.
Chandler Olsen, of Manteo, with a 62.5 lb. cobia that bit a live stingray off the end of Jennette’s Pier.
Bluefish and flounder are also feeding just off the sand and falling for baited bottom rigs and artificial lures.
Inshore boaters are connecting with big numbers of puppy drum in the Pamlico Sound. Some big red drum are mixed in, and anglers are also picking up a few speckled trout.
The offshore fleet is seeing a solid dolphin bite with decent numbers of wahoo, some blackfin tuna, and billfish mixed in. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are fooling most of the blue water predators.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that boats have seen a fairly strong summer wahoo bite over the past week while trolling off Hatteras Inlet. There are still some gaffer dolphin around, but the smaller bailers haven’t made a good showing yet. Some blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish are also falling for the ballyhoo and lures that boats are trolling offshore.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing plenty of action with triggerfish and black sea bass.
Back in the sound, there’s still been solid action with red drum (ranging from puppies to citations) for anglers working artificials.
Soaking cut and dead baits in the sound is producing some more big reds and cobia.
The speckled trout action in the sound is picking up, but still a bit slow for July.
Surf casters have been hooking big numbers (and big sizes) of sea mullet and pompano on sand fleas and shrimp.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that anglers are still seeing a decent dolphin bite off Hatteras Inlet (with a mix of bailer and gaffer fish). Some wahoo and sailfish are feeding in the same areas, and both are taking an interest in ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures like sea witches and Ilanders.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that Ocracoke surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet, croaker, bluefish, and puppy and black drum. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits are fooling most of the fish.
Back in the sound, anglers are finding some bluefish and spanish mackerel feeding around the inlet. Trolled spoons are fooling both fish.
Casting live baits and artificials in the sound is producing a mixed bag of flounder, speckled trout, puppy drum, and black drum.
