Hatteras – July 3, 2014
Charlotte and Sarah Rollason with wahoo, a yellowfin tuna, and plenty of dolphin they hooked while trolling offshore of Hatteras Inlet on the charterboat “Patriot” out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf bottom fishing on Hatteras Island’s northern beaches is still producing a mixed bag of sea mullet, spot, black drum, croaker, and more, primarily on shrimp.
Anglers fishing sand fleas along the pilings of the Bonner Bridge are hooking some sheepshead.
There’s still solid red drum action in the sound at night, with cut baits fooling most of the fish.
Some fat speckled trout are showing up in the sound near Rodanthe and biting soft plastics and live baits.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking solid numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some citation-class sea mullet and keeper flounder.
Sheepshead are feeding along the pier’s pilings and biting sand fleas.
Bryant, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that surf casters from Rodanthe to Avon are connecting with some bluefish, puppy drum, sea mullet, spot, and a few flounder. Shrimp and cut baits are producing most of the action.
Anglers are still seeing a good red drum bite while soaking cut mullet in the sound at night.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers have seen the surf bite excellent on some recent days and slow on others. When the fish are feeding, anglers are putting some sea mullet, bluefish, spot, flounder, croaker, and sheepshead on the sand. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits are fooling the fish.
Matthew Golden, of Salem WV, with a 3 lb., 1 oz. pompano he hooked while surf fishing at Hatteras Village. Weighed in at Teach’s Lair Marina.
Anglers working metal lures from the beaches are also connecting with some bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Bev, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf casters are hooking some citation-class pompano while soaking sand fleas in the Frisco surf. Good numbers of sea mullet and some bluefish are falling for shrimp and cut baits in the breakers.
More blues and spanish mackerel are feeding within range of surf casters, and they’re biting metal jigs like Shore Lure Glass Minnows.
Anglers fishing the sound are hooking some puppy drum, speckled trout, and flounder while working Gulp baits.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are seeing good numbers of sea mullet (many 1-2 lbs.) along with some pompano while bottom fishing the surf of Hatteras Island’s southern beaches. Shrimp and sand fleas are producing most of the action with the tasty surf panfish.
Inshore boaters are connecting with big numbers of puppy drum in the Pamlico Sound while casting spoons, soft plastics, and other artificials. Some speckled and gray trout and flounder are mixed in with the pups and biting the same lures.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish continue to feed around Hatteras Inlet and along the beachfront, and anglers are hooking both while trolling Clarkspoons and working metal casting lures around fish feeding on the surface.
Offshore trollers continue to find big numbers of dolphin while working weedlines and temperature breaks off the inlet. A good summer tuna bite has been happening many days as well, with yellowfin and blackfin tunas falling for skirted and naked ballyhoo in the boats’ wakes. Wahoo have been in the mix as well, and the billfishing keeps getting better, with big numbers of blue and white marlin releases tallied by the fleet last week along with a few sailfish.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that offshore trollers have been seeing some excellent billfish action lately, with big numbers of sailfish and white and blue marlin flags flying from the boats’ riggers over the past week. The meatfish haven’t been shy, either, and boats are landing big numbers of gaffer and bailer dolphin along with some stout yellowfin tuna and wahoo. All of the fish are taking an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures like sea witches.
Closer to the beaches, anglers are still connecting with a few cobia along with some red drum around Hatteras Inlet and nearby. Cut and dead baits are fooling both.
Anglers working soft plastics and casting live baits in the sound are hooking puppy drum, speckled and gray trout, and flounder.
Surf casters have seen some excellent pompano action over the past week when the winds calm and the water cleans up. When it’s blowing and dirty, the sea mullet bite has been going strong. Some puppy drum, bluefish, and a few flounder are also rewarding surf casters’ efforts.
Anglers are also hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish from the Hatteras beach while working metal casting lures.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that plenty of gaffer and bailer dolphin are still feeding off Hatteras Inlet and taking an interest in skirted and naked ballyhoo. Anglers are also connecting with the bailers on cut baits and squid.
The marlin bite has been going strong on some recent days, with both blues and whites (and multiples of each) taking an interest in trollers’ baits.
