Hatteras – July 7, 2016
Mike, of Hatteras Jack, reports that there’s been a strong trout bite in the Pamlico Sound. The trout have been caught on soft plastics via kayak (or just wading out), and anglers can use Google maps/satellite images to find a deep slough for fishing.
Back in the sound, drum and flounder are also starting to make an appearance, and anglers close to the inlet have found nice-sized “sound marlin.”
There’s also been sheepshead around the pilings of the Bonner Bridge, which have been caught by scraping the barnacles.
In the surf, there have been decent bluefish and spanish mackerel caught when the water is clear, especially off the Rodanthe Pier.
Paul Parks with a cobia (weighing 36.5 lbs.), that he caught while sight casting from Avalon Pier. The fish fell for a Bowed Up Squid Jig in purple and green.
Leslie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been catching pompano, bluefish, and sea mullet, and they’re mainly using shrimp for bait. There were also a couple small cobia caught off the pier when the waters were clear, but the fishing has generally been consistent in both clear and muddy waters.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers all along the beaches are reeling in sea mullet, croaker, spanish, and bluefish on Stingsilvers when the water has been clean and clear. There have also been scattered flounder catches along the beaches.
Sound fishermen are regularly reeling in speckled trout, gray trout, and bluefish.
Capt. Travis Patsell, of Smith Mountain Lake, with a sheepshead caught in Oregon Inlet using fiddler crabs.
Heather, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers have been catching a bunch of spanish mackerel, scattered bluefish, croakers, and sea mullet. Fishermen are having the best luck using Gotcha plugs, shrimp, or bloodworms for bait.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf fishermen from Avon to Hatteras are catching bluefish and spanish mackerel in the mornings and evenings on Glass Minnow lures, as well as pompano, sea mullet, flounder, and trout on cut bait and shrimp.
There are still some cobia along the beaches being caught on bunker, and soundside fishermen are regularly seeing puppy drum, trout, and flounder.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that the fishing has been steady. Offshore fishermen are catching dolphins, but the gaffer mahi catch has mostly switched over to the smaller bailer dolphin. Bottom fishermen have caught triggerfish, beeliners, and amberjack all on the outside offshore waters, and there have also been a few sailfish and white marlin reported offshore as well.
Inshore, cobia are still being caught, as well as drum of all sizes (including citation fish), speckled and gray trout, and a few flounder.
Anglers off the beach all along the island are catching pompano, bluefish, flounder, and sea mullet.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the mahi bite has been consistent, and a recent 45 lb. bullhead was reported. There have been blackfins and several recent sailfish caught as well, and offshore anglers have landed snowy grouper, skipjack tuna, and tilefish.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that inshore anglers are catching a lot of keeper speckled trout, and they’re finding schools of slot red drum. Schools of giant bull red drum have also recently shown up in the Pamlico Sound, and they’re being caught on bucktails and soft plastics.
The spanish mackerel bite is still good in the ocean, and the bait fishing anglers are catching cobia inside the inlet.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers off the Ocracoke beaches have primarily been catching small bluefish and sea mullet. There have also been recent reports of one or two puppy drum catches, a couple of spanish mackerel, and pompano. Anglers along the beach and sound have also caught a couple needlefish,too.
In the sound, there are still a few cobia around, and there have been scattered reports of flounder. Sound fishermen have landed a few citation drum, primarily in the evenings.
Offshore, it’s been a mixed bag with very good bottom fishing and scattered dolphin in varying sizes. There have also been reports of billfish.
