Hatteras – July 23, 2015
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are hooking panfish while soaking shrimp and Fish Bites baits in the local surf.
Plenty of sharks are around and biting cut baits off the beachfront.
Anglers fishing the sound are connecting with decent numbers of slot and over-slot red drum. Fresh mullet have been producing most of the action with the reds.
A sailfish angled by John Inbesi during the Hatteras Grand Slam tournament just prior to release. Inbesi was fishing on the “Huntress.”
Dolly, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that local surf fishermen have been hooking panfish like sea mullet and croaker on shrimp and bloodworm baits.
Sharks (ranging from 1-6’) are also feeding just off the beachfront and taking an interest in a variety of baits.
Puppy drum have been feeding on the soundside and biting cut baits and finger mullet. Anglers are also hooking a few speckled trout in the sound.
Duke Riggs with a 67 lb.w ahoo that bit a ballyhoo under a black/blue chugger near the Big Rock while he was fishing with Capt. Zach Willis, of Seatow Crystal Coast, on the “Reel Adventure.”
Brett, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that croaker and sea mullet have been making up most of the catch for anglers fishing bottom rigs.
Some bluefish are biting bottom rigs and casting lures that anglers are working from the pier. Plug casters have also been hooking some spanish mackerel in the early morning hours.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are seeing a typical summer mix of croaker, spot, sea mullet, and pompano while fishing shrimp and smaller baits in the local surf.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish have been feeding just off the beachfront and biting metal lures when the water’s clean.
Anglers fishing around Hatteras have landed a 36” red drum and a 40” cobia in recent days.
Bev, of Frisco Tackle, reports that rough water and lots of grass have made fishing tough on the southern beaches, but anglers fishing to the north are hooking pompano, sea mullet, and croaker. The action will likely be similar around Frisco when the water calms down.
There’s been a good puppy drum bite for anglers fishing the sound, with shrimp producing solid numbers of the fish.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that some sea mullet, croaker, and bluefish have been biting along Hatteras Island’s southern beaches recently. Some pompano and spanish mackerel have been in the mix when the water is clean.
Anglers soaking cut baits around Hatteras found action with red drum and a cobia early in the week.
Inshore boats are still catching big numbers of red drum while soaking baits and casting lures like gold spoons and soft plastics.
A few cobia are still around and biting for the inshore boaters as well.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also looking for meals around Hatteras Inlet, and boaters are hooking solid numbers while trolling lures like Clarkspoons.
The offshore fleet is finding scattered dolphin action along with some wahoo and blackfin tuna. Billfish action has been good, with local boats releasing blue and white marlin along with sailfish over the past week. Ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures are fooling most of the pelagics.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that boats continue to find solid numbers of cobia on many days, hooking them both on bait and while casting lures like bucktail jigs to fish they spot.
Anglers are also hooking plenty of spanish mackerel while trolling and casting nearshore.
Boaters fishing the sound continue to connect with puppy drum.
The offshore fleet is connecting with plenty of dolphin, but more and more bailers are mixed in with the larger gaffers (although there are still some very large gaffers around as well). Blackfin tuna and wahoo have been mixed in, and all are falling for skirted and naked ballyhoo.
The billfish bite has been good many days, with releases of sailfish and blue marlin for boats targeting them recently.
Surf casters are hooking some sea mullet, flounder, and puppy drum on bait. Some bluefish have been biting metal casting lures from the beach.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that anglers are hooking plenty of dolphin while trolling and pitching baits to schools of fish off Hatteras Inlet. Some blackfin tuna have been mixed in and biting trolled baits as well.
Plenty of billfish are still looking for meals offshore, and anglers have seen sailfish and several blue marlin over the past week.
