Hatteras August 22, 2013
Maynard Danger Caranan with a healthy black drum he caught in the Hatteras surf. Photo courtesy of JAM at Teach’s Lair Marina.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that bottomfish like sea mullet and croaker are making up most of the catch for local surf anglers right now. A few pompano are in the mix when the water’s clear. Most of the panfish are falling for shrimp, sea mullet, and sand fleas.
A few spanish mackerel and bluefish have also been around and biting metal lures when clean water is within range of the beach.
Some speckled trout are still looking for meals in the sound around Rodanthe, and anglers are hooking them while casting soft plastic lures along sea grass flats.
Anglers fishing the pilings of the Oregon Inlet Bridge are connecting with some sheepshead and tautog. Sand fleas, fiddler crabs, and mussels will tempt bites from the shellfish-lovers.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that variety has been the name of the game lately, with bottom fishermen connecting with pompano, sheepshead, puppy drum, bar jacks, croaker, spot, sea mullet, and more.
Those working metal lures from the pier are catching bluefish and spanish mackerel when the water’s clean.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf casters are hooking sea mullet, croaker, and pompano while casting bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms from the local beachfront.
Some puppy drum are feeding in the sound and falling for soft plastics and natural baits.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that sea mullet, spot, flounder, and black drum are biting bottom rigs in the surf.
Anglers are catching a few bluefish and spanish mackerel. There’s also a good body of spanish just offshore, so the right conditions could create an excellent beach bite.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are connecting with pompano, sea mullet, spot, croaker, and other bottom fish in the surf of the south-facing beaches, primarily on shrimp and sand fleas.
Some flounder have also been biting around Frisco and Hatteras, with live baits and Gulps producing most of the action.
Anglers making the trek to Cape Point are finding some decent spanish mackerel and bluefish action while working metal lures in the morning and evening hours.
Boats working the Pamlico Sound are reporting action with gray and speckled trout, spanish mackerel, and bluefish.
H.T. Davidson with a dolpin that bit a ballyhoo while he was trolling along a weedline off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Buddy Hooper on the “Hatteras Fever II.”
The offshore fleet has been hooking limit catches of wahoo on many recent days, along with a few dolphin and blackfin tuna. Some blue marlin and white marlin have been in the area as well, and boats have released decent numbers over the past week. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are fooling the majority of the blue water predators.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that the offshore fleet has been finding excellent wahoo fishing recently, with limit catches on some days. The bailer dolphin are finally making an appearance as well, but boats generally have to find some sort of floating debris in order to put together a good catch. Some blue marlin have also been around and biting the same ballyhoo and trolling lures that boats are pulling for the meatfish.
Back in the sound, there’s been an excellent puppy drum, speckled trout, and bluefish bite for anglers working soft plastics or fishing live baits.
Some citation-class red drum are feeding on the shoals of Hatteras Inlet and biting cut baits, particularly on southwest winds.
Surf casters are reporting some solid sea mullet and pompano action despite turbid water along the beachfront. Shrimp and sand fleas are tempting most of the bites in the breakers.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that some blue marlin and white marlin have been appearing in boats’ trolling spreads recently, and anglers have released decent numbers over the past week.
The meatfish action is also still going, and good numbers of wahoo along with some blackfin tuna and dolphin have been finding their way into the fish boxes. Most of the offshore pelagics are taking an interest in ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that boaters are still seeing solid action with large red drum in the Pamlico Sound, especially in the evening hours. Cut baits are fooling most of the reds.
Surf casters are reporting some spot, sea mullet, croaker, and black and puppy drum while fishing shrimp and bloodworms tight to the beachfront.
Anglers working metal lures like Shore Lure Glass Minnows from the beach are hooking bluefish and a few spanish mackerel.
South Point has reopened to access, so anglers have more beach to work from now than in the past few months.
