Hatteras July 7, 2011
Claude Coleman, of Chester, SC, with a 4.22 lb. pompano that bit a sand flea in the Ocracoke surf. Weighed in at Tradewinds Bait and Tackle.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the sheepshead bite remains excellent along the pilings of the Bonner Bridge and around channel markers in the sound. Sand fleas are the go-to baits for the sheeps.
Speckled trout fishing has also been solid in the sound behind Rodanthe, and Gulp baits fished under popping corks are producing the most action.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding along the beaches, and anglers are hooking them from the surf and piers on metal lures in the early mornings and at higher tides during the middle of the day.
Croaker, pompano, and sea mullet are feeding in the breakers, and fishing shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms just off the beach in the wash is the way to hook up with them.
Offshore, boats are still limiting out on dolphin, with some tuna, wahoo, and billfish action as well. The tuna bite has been best to the north of the 400 Line off Oregon Inlet, where boats are boxing up good numbers of yellowfins and bigeyes.
Dolly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that several days last week saw decent fishing for bluefish and spanish mackerel, mostly for anglers working Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are decking some sea mullet, spot, croaker, triggerfish, spadefish, and a few scattered pompano. Shrimp and bloodworms will get attention from the bottom feeders.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishermen are finding some decent action with panfish including spot, croaker, smaller bluefish and flounder, and a few pompano. Most are taking an interest in shrimp and bloodworms pinned to bottom rigs.
Some spanish mackerel are still around and taking an interest in small metal lures that anglers are working from the beaches and piers when clean water is on the beach.
Teresa, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers are catching a few spot and sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Plug casters connected with a few spanish mackerel last week when the water was clean.
Some blacktip sharks are falling for live and cut baits off the pier.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are seeing some action with sea mullet, spot, bluefish, and some pompano (with some 2+ lb. citations in the mix). Shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas have been producing most of the action on the beach.
When the water’s clear, anglers have been hooking up with a few spanish mackerel early and late in the day on metal lures.
Inshore, trolling has been producing action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Ginny Luzier, of Frisco, with a 2.50 lb. citation pompano she hooked in the Frisco surf on a piece of shrimp. Photo courtesy of JAM at Teach's Lair Marina.
Fishing the sound has been productive with flounder and speckled trout.
Offshore boats are still putting together excellent catches of dolphin. Some yellowfin tuna and wahoo are in the mix, and good numbers of sailfish and a few blue and white marlin are prowling the blue water off Hatteras Inlet as well.
Jam, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that the dolphin bite is still solid off Hatteras, with boats getting close to limits. Some yellow and blackfin tuna and wahoo are mixed in with the dolphin, and there’s recently been an excellent sailfish bite many days. All the blue water gamefish are falling for trolled ballyhoo.
Amberjacks are feeding around high-relief structure in the area.
Inshore, the spanish mackerel and bluefish bite is still solid for boats trolling Clarkspoons around the inlet and beaches.
The speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead bite is still on in the sound. The specks and flounder are falling for Gulp baits and other soft plastics. Sand fleas will tempt bites from the sheepshead.
Surf anglers are catching some large sea mullet and pompano (some to 3+ lbs.). Shrimp and sand fleas are the way to go for the mullet and pomps.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in metal lures worked from the beaches early and late in the day.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that there’s been good fishing for black drum, pompano, and sea mullet (along with a few puppy drum) in the wash just off the beaches this week. Numerous sand fleas are attracting the fish to the shoreline, and the fleas and shrimp have been producing most of the fish.
Some flounder and bluefish are taking an interest in cut baits fished further out in the surf.
Inshore, anglers are still catching good numbers of spanish mackerel and pompano in the sound, along with some keeper flounder and sea mullet.
Offshore boats are reporting action with dolphin and a few tuna and wahoo.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that the dolphin bite remains strong out of Hatteras Inlet. The fish are mixed in size, and skirted ballyhoo are getting their attention. A few wahoo, blackfin tuna, and decent numbers of sailfish and white marlin are in the mix with the dolphin.
