Hatteras – August 6, 2015
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are seeing some hit-and-miss action with slot and over-slot red drum around Oregon Inlet right now. Finger mullet and cut baits are anglers’ best bets for the reds.
Flounder are feeding in inlet as well, particularly in the smaller channels and around rocks. They’ll bite live baits, strip baits, or soft plastics like Gulps.
Sheepshead are still looking for meals around the pilings of the Bonner Bridge. Anglers can tempt them to bite sand fleas or other crustacean baits dangled close to the structure.
Anglers working the sound shorelines and flats are connecting with some red drum and speckled trout on lures like soft plastics and gold spoons.
Garret Harrel with a 3 lb. flounder that struck a live mud minnow under a dock while he was fishing near Beaufort Inlet with Capt. Chris Kimrey of Mount Maker Charters.
Steve, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that local surf casters are hooking a mix of sea mullet pompano, and other panfish while casting shrimp and other baits from the beachfront. A few slot and over-slot red drum and gray trout have also been reported by surf fishermen recently.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that croaker, gray trout, and sea mullet have been making up most of the catch from the pier recently. Shrimp and cut baits fished on the bottom are fooling the majority of the fish.
J.P. Lindsay (age 12 mos.), of Hatteras, NC, with his first fish, an oyster toadfish he hooked while fishing with his father at Teach’s Lair Marina.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf fishermen are still seeing a summer mix of panfish like croaker, spot, sea mullet, and pompano while soaking shrimp and Fish Bites baits just off the beachfront.
Schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish are occasionally feeding within range of surf casters, and anglers are hooking both on metal casting jigs when they are.
Anglers working soft plastics and other artificials in the sound are hooking a few speckled trout.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that sea mullet, pompano, croaker, and other small bottom feeders are making up most of the catch for local surf anglers this week.
A few bluefish are biting bottom rigs and metal casting lures anglers are working from the beach.
Anglers are also connecting with some flounder on cut baits and artificials like Gulps.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are connecting with sea mullet, spot, croaker, and smaller flounder while casting bottom rigs from the beachfront from Avon to Hatteras. Shrimp, sand fleas, and Fish Bites baits are fooling most of the bottom feeders.
Some bluefish and puppy drum have been mixed in and biting the same along with cut baits.
Anglers also saw some action with spanish mackerel and bluefish while casting metal jigs from the beaches last week.
Inshore boaters continue to hook plenty of slot and over-slot red drum while working the sound. Both baits and artificial lures like soft plastics and gold spoons will fool the drum.
The offshore fleet is still finding action with good numbers of gaffer and bailer dolphin while working the waters off Hatteras Inlet. Some wahoo (with some larger fish showing up) and blackfin tuna have been mixed in. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are fooling most of the offshore predators.
Bottom fishermen dropping baits to offshore rocks and wrecks are hauling up plenty of triggerfish and snappers.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that anglers are seeing an improving wahoo bite (with some sizeable fish as well as increasing numbers) while trolling the blue water off Hatteras Inlet. Bailer and gaffer dolphin are still in the mix offshore, and some blackfin tuna and amberjacks are finding boats’ baits too.
Trollers working around the inlet and closer to the beach are putting together some solid catches of spanish mackerel.
Slot to citation-sized red drum are feeding around the inlet and in the sound, and boats are hooking good numbers on both bait and while working artificials.
Surf casters are hooking some solid pompano on light bottom rigs baited with shrimp and sand fleas. Anglers are also hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working casting lures from the beach around Hatteras.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that there was an excellent blackfin tuna bite early in the week, with bailer dolphin, wahoo, and king mackerel mixed in. Boats have encountered some smaller yellowfin tuna and a few billfish on recent trips as well. Ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures are drawing attention from all the blue water fish.
