Hatteras June 20, 2013
Preston, Robert, Stephen, Blaire, and Savannah Anders with yellowfin tuna and a dolphin they hooked while trolling NE of Diamond Shoals Tower on the “Rebekah Lynn.”
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that there’s still some solid red drum action for shorebound anglers fishing the sound between Avon and Rodanthe. They’re not catching quite as many fish as a few weeks ago, but the reds are getting larger. Cut baits and finger mullet are producing most of the action.
Surf casters are connecting with some citation-class sea mullet on shrimp and sand fleas from the local beaches.
There’s also been a hot bluefish bite along Hatteras Island’s southern beaches for anglers casting metal lures.
Sheepshead and black drum are still making a good showing along the pilings of the Bonner Bridge. Anglers can tempt both to bite sand fleas, fiddler crabs, or mussels dangled tight to the structure.
Some striped bass are feeding around Oregon Inlet (like a 37” fish landed by an angler along the jetty last week). Live baits like spot are the best bet for the stripers.
Flounder are also looking for meals near the inlet, and anglers are hooking them on live baits and soft plastics like Gulps.
The speckled trout bite is still going strong in the channels, sloughs, and on the flats in the sound (and the fish have been larger lately). Gulp baits on jigheads or popping cork rigs are tough to beat for the specks.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that blacktip sharks, croaker, and bluefish have been making up the majority of the catch lately for anglers bottom fishing with shrimp and other baits.
Some flounder are also around and taking an interest in small live baits fished on the bottom.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are hooking bottom feeders like croaker, flounder, sea mullet, and black drum in the surf near Avon. Most are falling for shrimp and bloodworms. Some small bluefish are mixed in and also taking an interest in the bottom rigs.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are feeding back in the sound, where anglers are tempting them to bite soft plastic baits.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters are connecting with sea mullet (with good numbers of citation fish), bluefish, and puppy drum while casting from the Hatteras Island’s south-facing beaches. Shrimp and cut baits are producing most of the action.
Some flounder are also feeding in the surf and taking an interest in live baits and soft plastics like Gulps.
Inshore boaters are hooking gray and speckled trout and more puppy drum while casting soft plastics and live baits in the sound.
Wayne Johnson, of Phoenixville, PA, with an 8 lb., 9 oz. sheepshead he hooked while fishing out of Teach’s Lair Marina with Capt. Doug Martin on the “Hallelujah.” Photo courtesy of John Mortensen.
Cobia and some citation-class red drum are still feeding in the vicinity of Hatteras Inlet, and boaters are sight-casting to both and hooking a few while bottom fishing.
Offshore, the dolphin bite remains consistent, with good numbers of gaffers hitting the Hatteras docks. Some yellowfin and blackfin tuna and a few wahoo are also in the mix offshore and falling for ballyhoo and lures that boats are trolling. Billfish are feeding offshore as well, and sailfish and blue and white marlin have all been released by local boats over the past week.
Bottom fishing around offshore structure is producing fast action with sea bass, beeliners, triggerfish, and other tasty species.
Anglers are also hooking big numbers of amberjacks while working vertical jigs around offshore structure.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that there’s been excellent offshore action around Diamond Shoals Tower lately, and most of the other local blue water spots have been producing consistent trolling as well.
Yellowfin and blackfin tunas, along with plenty of gaffer dolphin, have been filling the fish boxes and falling for both naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Blue marlin and other billfish are also looking for meals in the same areas and taking an interest in ballyhoo and artificial trolling plugs.
Cody, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers have been connecting with puppy drum in the early morning hours while casting baits from Ocracoke’s beachfront. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits will all attract attention from the pups.
Pompano, sea mullet, smaller black drum, and other bottomfish are also feeding just off the beaches, and anglers are hooking good numbers on shrimp and sand fleas.
The cobia action has moved inshore, and anglers are reporting a decent bite around the mouth of Blair Channel. Bottom fishing with live, cut, and dead baits is tempting the cobes to bite.
Offshore, there’s still good dolphin and wahoo fishing in the Gulf Stream, with ballyhoo producing most of the action.
Amberjacks are schooled up on wrecks and other structure between the inlet and break, and they’ll take an interest in live baits and a variety of other offerings.
