Hatteras July 12, 2012
Mate Jeremy Hicks prepares to release a 117" (est. 550-600 lbs.) blue marlin caught by Larry Ring of Glen Arm, MD, while trolling off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Jay Kavanagh on the "Bite Me" out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Dalton, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are still catching big numbers of flounder at the new inlet north of Rodanthe while casting Gulps and other soft plastic baits.
Surf casters from Rodanthe up to Oregon Inlet are connecting with some citation-class sea mullet, pompano, and a few puppy and yearling red drum. Shrimp and sand fleas are producing most of the action.
Anglers are also catching the puppies and yearlings back in Pamlico Sound.
The speckled trout bite has been excellent around grass flats in the sound lately, and Gulp baits and other soft plastics are getting attention from the specks, too.
Some bull sharks have been feeding in the sound around the new inlet, and anglers can tempt them to bite large cut baits.
Blacktip sharks are feeding along the beachfront, and anglers are hooking them from the surf and piers.
Scattered cobia are cruising the beaches from Rodanthe to Nags Head, and anglers are hooking a few on live baits and sight-cast bucktails from boats and the piers.
Ashton, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that spadefish, spot, sea mullet, and smaller bluefish are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp, bloodworms, and other baits.
Live-baiters landed a 68” blacktip shark last week from the end of the pier.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers are hooking good numbers of panfish like spot, sea mullet, croaker, pompano, and more. Shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms on bottom rigs are producing most of the action.
Anglers are catching big numbers of small flounder around the temporary bridge over the new inlet north of Rodanthe.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that sea mullet and pompano have been providing the majority of the action for local anglers lately. Sand fleas and shrimp are the best baits.
Inshore, boats fishing the sound and around the inlet are connecting with some cobia and large red drum while sight-casting bucktails to fish they spot on the surface.
Speckled trout and flounder are feeding in the inlet and sound and falling for soft plastic baits.
Ryder Cecil with a citation 2 lb., 7 oz. pompano that bit a River Rig in the Hatteras surf. Weighed in at Teach's Lair.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters are still catching sea mullet from the Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras beaches (with citation-class fish at Frisco and Hatteras) on shrimp and sand fleas. Some pompano and spot have been in the mix as well.
Anglers working metal jigs quickly from the beaches landed a few spanish mackerel last week as well.
Inshore boaters are hooking up with good numbers of speckled and gray trout in the sound while working soft plastic baits.
Trolling small spoons in the sound, inlet, and ocean is producing plenty of action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Big red drum are still feeding around the inlet, sound, and ocean, and anglers are hooking them on sight-cast bucktail jigs.
Offshore, boats are finding plenty of dolphin, with a few wahoo and blackfin tuna in the mix. The billfish bite is still strong, with plenty of blue and white marlin and sailfish releases (even a grand slam) tallied by the local fleet in recent days.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the blue water action remains consistent off Hatteras Inlet. Anglers are still finding plenty of dolphin (bailers and some gaffers) while trolling ballyhoo and pitching squid and cut baits to fish around offshore weedlines and grass patches.
Billfishing remains steady as well, with good numbers of sailfish and white and blue marlin (some 500+ lbs.) releases in recent days. Naked and skirted ballyhoo trolled in combination with dredge and daisy chain teasers are the way to go for the bills.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with sea mullet, pompano, croaker, smaller bluefish, and a few flounder and puppy drum in the local surf. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits are tempting most of the bites in the breakers.
Plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding in the sound and along the beachfront, and boats are hooking big numbers on trolled Clarkspoons.
Anglers are also connecting with some flounder and pompano in the sound.
Offshore trollers are hooking big numbers of dolphin along with some wahoo. Bottom fishing is producing some grouper and amberjack action.
