Hatteras – August 31, 2017
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that spanish fishing has heated up in the surf, and anglers tossing metal jigs as well as topwater lures have landed plenty of fish. Bluefish have also been mixed in with the spanish, and both have been actively feeding in bait pods on top of the water.
In the sound, speckled trout have been feeding well. Anglers have been consistently catching limits of fish on soft plastics, topwaters, and live shrimp under float rigs. Some fish landed have been in the 5+ lb. range.
Redfish have also been feeding consistently inshore. Most of the puppy drum have been a mix of upper and over-slot. Soft plastics under popping corks have worked best for the reds.
Around the inlets, flounder fishing has picked up. Most of the flounder have been landed while fishing a jerk shad plastic rigged on a 1/2 oz. jig head.
Anglers dropping live fiddler crabs around the jetty have hooked up with good numbers of sheepshead.
Natalie Speth with a 28” red drum that took a piece of fresh cut shrimp in the surf near Cape Hatteras.
Terry, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that fishing fresh shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas on the bottom has produced sea mullet, croaker, spot, and pompano. Those dropping live fiddler crabs and sand fleas next to the pilings have hooked good numbers of sheepshead.
A few blues and spanish have also been landed from the pier. Anglers tossing Gotcha plugs and Stingsilvers have had the most success.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers plugging from the pier have landed blues and spanish. Stingsilvers have been the best method. Those fishing the bottom with bloodworms and sand fleas have landed good numbers of sea mullet, spot, and pompano. A few pompano have pushed the 2 lb. mark. Some keeper flounder have also been landed from the pier.
In the sound, speckled trout and puppy drum have been holding near the marsh areas. Targeting them with Billy Bay soft plastics under popping corks has worked best.
Earl, of Avon Pier, reports that those tossing Gotcha plugs from the pier have hooked into spanish and bluefish. Sea mullet has been the main target for those bottom fishing, and sand fleas and bloodworms have been the bait of choice.
A few cobia have recently been landed from the end of the pier.
Kelly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that the flounder bite in the surf has improved greatly. Most anglers have been casting out minnows and fresh shrimp to hook into solid numbers of keeper fish.
Those tossing plugs from the pier have landed bluefish and spanish in the early morning hours.
In the sound, trout and flounder have been the main targets. Most trout have hit live shrimp or soft plastics under popping corks, while the flounder have preferred live finger mullet on Carolina rigs.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that inshore fishing has held steady, with red drum being the main target. Anglers have had success finding reds in flooded grass, and gold spoons and live baits have been the ticket.
Those chasing flounder have found a few keepers in the deeper passes inshore. The big drum bite has started, but fishing has been hit or miss so far.
Just off the beach, trolling Clarkspoons has provided plenty of action with spanish and bluefish. Most fish have been landed near the point. A few smaller kings are still hanging around as well, and they are being picked up when fishing for the spanish.
Ross Scroble with a wahoo caught on spinning tackle. He was fishing with Capt. Andy Piland of Good Times Sportfishing.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that billfish action has been excellent, and most trips are producing multiple releases. Blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish have all been feeding in the area.
Yellowfin and blackfin tuna have also been active well off the beach. A few dolphin have been in the mix as well.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that tuna fishing has been hot one day and cold the next. On days the fish are feeding well, anglers have landed double digit numbers of yellowfins and blackfins.
Billfishing has still been red hot, and those targeting them have released an assortment of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish. Most billfish have been feeding best in the 35-40 mile range north of Oregon Inlet. Slightly dressed ballyhoo has been the best way to draw strikes from both the billfish and the tuna.
Jimmy, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that those targeting bottomfish from the surf are having success with fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms. Most anglers are finding pompano, sea mullet, bluefish, and some small flounder.
Red drum have also been feeding well in the surf. Most of the puppy drum landed have been in the slot and have hit fresh cut bait.
Inshore fishing has provided anglers with plenty of red drum action, too. Puppy drum have been holding on the flats, and tossing soft plastics as well as cut bait has been the ticket to landing the reds.
Big drum have also moved into the sound, and fishing at night with fresh cut mullet has been the best way to target them. Fishing near ledges has produced best.
Flounder fishing near the inlet has been steady, and tossing out live finger mullet on Carolina rigs has been the most productive. A few speckled trout have also been caught on live baits and soft plastics near marsh lines and points.
Those venturing offshore have started to see wahoo show up in better numbers. Some yellowfin have also been sticking around, as anglers continue to land good numbers of them.
Bottomfishing has been hit or miss, with a mix of snapper, grouper, amberjacks, triggerfish, and tilefish.
