Hatteras August 25, 2011
Teddi Creamer, of Tallahassee, FL, caught this 31 lb. blackfin tuna while trolling off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Scott Warren on the "Big Tahuna" out of Teach's Lair Marina.
Eddie, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf and pier bottom fishermen are encountering a summertime mix of croaker, sea mullet, bluefish, spot, and some pompano. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling the bottomfish.
Some scattered puppy drum have also been showing up on the beaches, and they’re biting cut baits.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel have been chasing bait just off the beaches in the mornings and evenings. Anglers are hooking them while casting small metal jigs to the feeding schools of fish.
Anglers fishing around the Bonner Bridge are finding some action with flounder, bluefish, and gray trout. They’ll all take an interest in live baits or Gulps.
Kathleen, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are catching a variety of small bottom feeders on shrimp and bloodworms.
Working Gotcha plugs and other small metal lures from the pier is producing some action with bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing some scattered puppy drum in the surf on the north beaches. Cut baits are fooling most, but they’ll also take an interest in shrimp, sand fleas, and other baits.
Some pompano and sea mullet are hitting bottom rigs in the breakers. Shrimp and bloodworms have been the most effective baits (with more pompano on bloodworms lately).
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still feeding just off the shoreline early and late in the day, and casting Shore Lure Glass Minnows or Stingsilvers to the feeding fish has been producing some hookups for beach anglers.
Kristin, of Avon Pier, reports that a few spot and pompano are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some bluefish are also taking an interest in both the bottom rigs and the small metal lures that anglers are working from the piers.
Claude, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers fishing the southern beaches are connecting with some pompano, bluefish, and scattered flounder and puppy drum. Shrimp and sand fleas are effective on the pomps, and anglers are hooking the flounder and pups on cut baits, Gulps, and finger mullet.
Randy Mores, of Williamsburg, VA, with a 30" red drum he caught and released in the Ocracoke surf. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are still feeding along the beaches in the early mornings and late evenings. The best action has been around Hatteras Inlet and the Point (with more blues toward the inlet and more spanish toward the Point). Small metal casting jigs will fool both the spanish and blues.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet and pompano along the Frisco beach. Shrimp and sand fleas will fool both.
The bluefish action is still hot at Hatteras Inlet, and anglers are also connecting with plenty of blues and spanish mackerel around the Point. Small metal jigs worked quickly are the way to go for the spanish and blues.
The speckled trout and flounder bite remains strong in the sound, and both fish will take an interest in Gulp baits.
Trolling in and nearshore around Hatteras Inlet is still producing solid catches of bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Offshore trollers are continuing to find a good dolphin bite, with some wahoo and sailfish in the mix. All are taking an interest in trolled ballyhoo.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the solid bailer dolphin fishing off Hatteras Inlet continues. Anglers are catching most of the fish on squid and cut baits, and they’re taking a few while trolling ballyhoo, too.
Trolling naked and skirted ballyhoo has also been producing some action with wahoo and blackfin tuna.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish continue to feed just off the Ocracoke beach. Anglers are connecting with them early and late in the day while casting small metal lures near fish feeding on the surface.
Some sea mullet and pompano are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp and sand fleas in the surf.
A few flounder are also falling for bottom rigs with a variety of baits.
Inshore, anglers are still catching flounder on Gulps and live baits in the sound.
Trolling Clarkspoons has been producing decent numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish for boats working the sound as well.
