Hatteras August 29, 2013
Caleb Batson, Shaun Dunn, Chris and Andrew Carter, and Jason Alberti with 11 wahoo and a dolphin that they hooked while trolling off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Jay Daniels on the “Runaway.”
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. Shrimp and sand fleas on double-drop rigs are fooling most of the panfish.
Speckled trout are feeding in the sound and biting soft plastic baits.
Sheepshead, tautog, and black drum are looking for meals around the Bonner Bridge, and they’re biting sand fleas and fiddler crabs.
Some yearling red drum and flounder are feeding in the channels near Oregon Inlet, where live baits and soft plastics are tempting both to bite.
Jamie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that there’s been good action with bottom feeders like spot, sea mullet, and croaker for anglers soaking shrimp and bloodworms on two-hook rigs.
Some sheepshead are falling for fiddler crabs and sand fleas fished tight to the pilings.
When there’s clean water around the pier, plug casters are hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotchas.
Annette, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that smaller bottomfish like sea mullet, spot, croaker, and pompano are making up most of surf casters’ catches around Avon. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling most of the fish.
A few puppy drum are in the mix and biting the same baits.
Cape Point has reopened to 4WD access, and anglers caught decent numbers of spanish mackerel while working metal lures there last week.
Casting soft plastic baits in the sound is producing some speckled trout, puppy drum, bluefish, and flounder.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking some pompano, sea mullet, black drum, and spot from the local beachfront. Shrimp and sand fleas are producing most of the action.
Some bluefish are also falling for metal lures in the surf.
Anglers fishing the sound and around Hatteras Inlet are connecting with some puppy drum and speckled trout on soft plastics.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are feeding around the inlet and biting trolled spoons.
Chris Camp, of Winterville, NC, holds a 23″ flounder that bit a Gulp bait near the mouth of the Pamlico River.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are hooking some puppy and yearling drum while surf fishing in Buxton. Most are falling for cut baits and shrimp.
Anglers are hooking sea mullet, spot, croaker, and small bluefish and flounder from the Frisco and Hatteras beaches, with shrimp and sand fleas producing most of the action.
Inshore boats are putting together some solid catches of spanish mackerel while trolling and casting spoons around Hatteras Inlet.
Flounder and red drum are feeding in the sound, and they’re taking an interest in live baits and a variety of soft plastics.
The offshore fleet continues to connect with good numbers of wahoo (some limit catches) along with a few yellowfin tuna and dolphin. A few billfish are mixed in, and all the blue water predators are biting skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing around offshore wrecks has been producing plenty of triggerfish, black sea bass, and snappers.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that offshore boats are still hooking solid numbers of wahoo while trolling along the edge of the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet. Blackfin tuna and dolphin are mixed in, and boats are also releasing a few billfish. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are accounting for most of the pelagic gamefish.
Strong winds over the weekend kept many surf and sound anglers off the water, but bluefish and pompano have been reported by those venturing out to the beaches. Sea mullet and spanish mackerel were mixed in last week and likely will return when things calm down a bit. The sea mullet and pomps are biting shrimp and sand fleas on bottom rigs. Anglers are hooking the blues and spaniards while working metal lures from the beachfront.
The sound red drum bite has been solid recently, with anglers catching both puppies and citation-class fish. Speckled and gray trout are mixed in with the pups and falling for soft plastics and live baits. Most of the big reds are biting cut baits near the inlet.
Cody, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf casters are hooking bluefish, sea mullet, and a few puppy and black drum. Shrimp are producing most of the action.
There’s still excellent action with citation-class red drum for boaters fishing around the shoals of Ocracoke Inlet, with cut baits tempting the big reds to bite.
Some gray trout and flounder are feeding in the sound and biting soft plastics and natural baits.
Offshore boats are connecting with good numbers of wahoo, along with some dolphin, while trolling the Gulf Stream.
