Hatteras July 4, 2013
Tyler Hericks, of Manassas, VA, with a cobia he hooked after kayaking a bait over the bar in the Ocracoke surf. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Tackle.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are still connecting with some speckled trout in the sound behind Rodanthe, but the fish have gotten a bit more scattered than in past weeks.
The red drum bite on the soundside of the island between Avon and Rodanthe is getting even better, with anglers releasing big numbers of reds (most lower to mid-slot size, but some fish to 51” released over the past week). Cut baits and finger mullet are fooling most of the reds.
Surf casters are primarily finding action with bottomfish like sea mullet and croaker while soaking shrimp and bloodworms in the local surf. Big numbers of small blacktip sharks are also taking an interest in anglers’ baits in the surf.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pilings of the Bonner Bridge, and they’re biting sand fleas, fiddler crabs, and other baits.
Anglers are also hooking some striped bass in Oregon Inlet on live baits and soft plastics, and flounder are feeding around the rocks and biting plastics and live baits, too.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that blacktip and sharpnose sharks have been making up much of the catch for the past few days.
Anglers are also hooking some croaker and put some puppy drum on the deck last week.
Ian, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that croaker and some sea mullet are biting bloodworms, shrimp, and other baits in the Avon surf.
Anglers casting soft plastics and live baits in the sound are connecting with some puppy drum.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers have released several citation-class red drum from the Frisco surf in the past week. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are the way to go for the big reds.
Bob Walde, Jr, and Bob Walde, Sr., of Kitty Hawk, NC, with a cobia they hooked sight-casting near Hatteras Inlet and some dolphin they found three miles offshore while fishing with Capt. Aaron Aaron of Tightline Charters.
Some sea mullet are taking an interest in shrimp and sand fleas that anglers are casting from the beaches.
Puppy drum and a few speckled trout are feeding in the sound and biting Gulp baits.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that the wind and rain have hampered fishing efforts a bit recently, but anglers are still hooking sea mullet and bluefish while fishing the Frisco and Buxton surf. Some puppy drum, flounder, croaker, and other bottom feeders have also been in the mix.
Red drum (from puppies to citation-class) are feeding in the Hatteras surf and biting cut baits and other offerings that anglers are casting from the sand.
Inshore boats are also releasing decent numbers of the big reds while bottom fishing and casting bucktails to fish they spot.
Cobia are feeding in the sound and taking an interest in cut, dead, and live baits fished on the bottom.
Casting soft plastics in the sound is producing action with puppy drum and speckled trout for the inshore anglers.
The wind has kept the offshore fleet at the docks for much of the last week, but trollers are still connecting with some yellowfin and blackfin tuna (along with dolphin) when they make it out. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are fooling the meatfish.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the 20+ knot southerly winds have kept boats tied to the pilings over much of the past week, but until the blow the dolphin fishing was still excellent (plenty of bailers but still good numbers of gaffers in the mix). Some blackfin and yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and a few billfish are also feeding in the blue water, and all are taking an interest in skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Cody, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking up with some puppy drum and sea mullet in the Ocracoke surf, with shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits producing much of the action.
The cobia bite is still going inshore in Blair Channel and other spots, primarily for anglers bottom fishing with cut and dead baits.
