Hatteras – July 2, 2015
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are seeing some improvement in the soundside red drum bite along Hatteras Island’s northern shores. Both slot and over-slot reds are falling for cut baits in the sound with the best action on southwest winds.
Sheepshead are feeding around the Oregon Inlet Bridge and biting sand fleas and other baits that anglers are dangling near the pilings.
Anglers are also hooking some flounder in the inlet on live and strip baits along with artificials like Gulps.
Surf fishing is primarily producing panfish like sea mullet, spot, and croaker. Some sharks are also feeding in the surf and biting cut baits.
Courtney Foreman with a citation 49 lb. cobia she weighed in at TW’s Tackle.
Scott, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that anglers are connecting with spot, sea mullet, and croaker while surf fishing around Rodanthe, along with some pompano (to 2-3 lbs.) when the water’s clean. Shrimp and sand fleas are producing most of the action with the bottom feeders.
Anglers fishing cut baits in the sound at night are connecting with good numbers of puppy drum when the winds are blowing from the south.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are seeing plenty of action in the local surf, but primarily with panfish like spot, sea mullet, croaker, and pompano. A few puppy drum are mixed in, and shrimp and sand fleas are producing most of the action.
When the water cleans up, spanish mackerel and small bluefish are also feeding along the beachfront and biting metal casting lures.
Anglers casting artificials and bait-fishing in the sound are hooking a few speckled trout and puppy drum.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking some citation red drum and cobia in the sound, many while casting Gulp Eels and other large soft baits.
Surf anglers are hooking bluefish, sea mullet, and pompano on shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits.
Some flounder have been falling for bait and soft plastics in the surf and sound.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers had some luck with sea mullet, croaker, pompano, and other panfish while soaking baits in the surf over the past week. Hatteras Island’s northern beaches seem to be producing the best bite as the wind and seas have made fishing tough recently around Frisco and Hatteras. A few spanish mackerel and bluefish have been in the mix for anglers casting metal lures around Buxton.
Inshore boaters continue to find plenty of red drum action when it’s calm enough to fish.
Both artificial lures and cut and live baits are attracting attention from the reds.
The offshore fleet is finding some dolphin along with a few wahoo and blackfin tuna while trolling ballyhoo and skirted lures off Hatteras Inlet. Billfish are still around as well, and boats are encountering sailfish and white and blue marlin on many trips.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that anglers continue to catch some citation-class red drum and cobia while fishing in the Pamlico Sound and nearshore around Hatteras Inlet.
Some large sheepshead are also biting around structure in the sound.
Surf casters are connecting with a few puppy drum while soaking baits and some bluefish on metal casting lures.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that anglers continue to encounter dolphin and some blackfin tuna while trolling off Hatteras Inlet. Most are falling for naked and skirted ballyhoo, but anglers are hooking some ‘phins on lighter “bailing” tackle and cut baits when schools surround the boat.
Baitless high-speed trolling has produced some action with king mackerel and a citation wahoo over the past week.
