Hatteras August 16, 2012
Margaret Keiper with a citation-class red drum she caught and released in the Pamlico Sound while fishing with her husband Bob. Photo courtesy of JAM at Teach's Lair Marina.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are still catching good numbers of flounder and some speckled trout in the new inlet just north of Rodanthe. Soft baits like Gulps and live baits on Carolina rigs are tempting most of the bites from the flatfish and trout.
Some yearling reds have been feeding outside the inlet on the falling tides, and anglers are hooking them on cut mullet on drum rigs.
Bottomfish like sea mullet, croaker, and spot are taking an interest in shrimp and bloodworms on double-hook rigs in the local surf. Pompano are in the mix when the water’s clean.
Cape Point has reopened to vehicles, and anglers are connecting with some spanish mackerel while working metal lures there. Some large sharks are falling for big cut baits around the point.
The speckled trout bite in the sound is still going strong, and some puppy drum are mixed in. Both will take an interest in live baits or soft plastics.
Josh, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some spot, sea mullet, croaker, sheepshead, spadefish, and more while bottom fishing with shrimp and other baits.
Some flounder are taking an interest in live baits under the pier.
Anglers are hooking a few bluefish while working metal lures from the planks, but the spanish bite has been quiet.
Ian, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are hooking a typical summer mix of bottom feeders in the surf, including sea mullet, croaker, pompano, and more. Shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas are the top baits.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking sea mullet and pompano from the local beaches. Shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas are tempting bites from the tasty bottom feeders.
Spanish mackerel are feeding around the Point, and anglers are hooking them while working metal casting jigs from the beach there.
Back in the sound, anglers are connecting with some speckled trout and puppy drum on live baits and soft plastics.
Jim Pruden, of Raleigh, with a citation 41 lb. wahoo that he hooked on a purple/black Wahoo Wacker while trolling between the Rockpile and the Clark wreck with Dave Sciabarasi on the "Sea-Cilian."
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters are finding some solid sea mullet and pompano action while casting shrimp and sand fleas from the Frisco and Hatteras beaches.
Anglers fishing the Point are connecting with good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish while working metal lures through the surf. Soaking cut baits around the Point is attracting attention from some red drum and sharks.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still feeding strong around Hatteras Inlet, where boaters are hooking them on trolled Clarkspoons.
Anglers fishing the sound are catching good numbers of speckled trout while working soft plastic baits. Some large red drum are also feeding in the sound, where they’ll bite cut and live baits or large bucktail jigs.
The local offshore fleet is still putting together limit catches of dolphin on many days, while trolling ballyhoo and bailing smaller fish on cut baits and squid. Some wahoo and blackfin tuna are also falling for trolled ballyhoo and lures trolled even faster. Billfish are also feeding in the blue water off the inlet, and boats released sails and blue and white marlin last week, both on ballyhoo and trolled lures.
Bottom fishing around wrecks and other structure offshore is producing plenty of action with tilefish, sea bass, triggerfish, grouper, and more.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that the solid bailer dolphin action continues off Hatteras Inlet. Some larger gaffer dolphin are also in the mix, and anglers are hooking the bailers on chunk baits and the gaffers on trolled ballyhoo and skirted lures.
Some blue and white marlin and sailfish are also in the mix and falling for the trolled baits as well.
Wahoo are feeding offshore, too, with some days seeing an excellent bite. High-speed lures are tempting many of the bites from the wahoo.
Bottom fishing around offshore structure has been productive lately. Anglers are hooking up with sea bass, triggerfish, tilefish, grouper, and more while dropping vertical jigs or rigs baited with squid and cut baits to the structure.
Jim, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are still catching some sea mullet from the Ocracoke surf on shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas. A few flounder are mixed in and will bite strip and live baits.
Some bluefish and spanish mackerel are taking an interest in metal lures that anglers are working from the beaches.
