Hatteras – June 2023
Kurt, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf anglers targeting the bottom are producing bluefish and scattered red drum.
Smaller bottom rigs tipped with shrimp or artificial bait strips are getting bites from sea mullet.
The soundside fishing action has been pretty good, with nice catches of bluefish and large speckled trout. Artificials will entice strikes from both species, but cut baits have seemed to land the largest of these fish.
Nearshore anglers are setting their efforts on cobia, hoping to capitalize on the first push of fish in the area.
Leslie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing nice-sized sea mullet, blow toads, croakers, and spot from anglers fishing a variety of fresh, natural baits.
Some nice-sized bluefish are being caught with both cut bait and casting jigs.
Spanish mackerel started to show up with more consistency before the big winds, and there was also a run on large red drum around that same time from anglers fishing large cut baits.
Joe Snively (left), of Central NC, and Capt. Mark McGuire (right), of Reel Em In Charters, caught this red drum using a pink paradise soft plastic from Skinny Water Lures. They were fishing in the sound behind Rodanthe.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers have been landing sea mullet and bluefish while bottom fishing.
There have been nice-sized red drum (to 29”) scattered along the beaches for anglers fishing fresh cut baits.
Pompano are biting really well in Hatteras and up through Frisco. Smaller baits such as live sand fleas and blue crab-flavored Fish Bites will work for them.
Anglers out at the Point have been seeing runs of spanish mackerel, with big reds making a push as well.
Soundside fishing has been picking up, with red drum and speckled trout scattered on flats from the inlets to up around Avon.
There are some big sheepshead (to 10 lbs.) being landed as well.
Darren, of Avon Pier, reports that bottom fishing is producing some steady sea mullet, croakers, spot, and scattered bluefish.
Sight casting Gotcha plugs is enticing strikes from larger bluefish (to 4+ lbs.) and spanish mackerel.
A few slot-sized red drum are also being caught by those anglers rigged with fresh cut baits.
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been doing well bottom fishing on the stretch of beach from Buxton and to the south. There has been a nice variety of puppy drum, sea mullet, and pompano.
Spanish mackerel were moving into the surf zone before this big blow. Anglers should expect it to take a little bit for the water to clean up and pull the schools back within casting range.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that there has been some really good dolphin fishing now that the schools made their spring migration into the area. The offshore trolling is also producing mixed wahoo.
Anglers are starting to return with blue marlin release flags, a good sign moving into the warmer months where the action on billfish really heats up.
Bottom fishing has produced nice catches of triggerfish.
Inshore trips are catching bluefish, plenty of red drum, and some cobia around the inlets, and sheepshead have been feeding well around structure in the sound.
Spanish mackerel numbers have been good nearshore along the beach.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that cobia action has started, and anglers are having success riding the beach and sight-casting around bait ball, turtles, or cruising fish. If the conditions aren’t cooperating, bottom fishing with fresh cut baits in the deeper holes inside the inlets is another solid tactic. These cobia should be in the area until around the end of June, if patterns mirror recent years.
Speckled trout action in the sound has been pretty good for anglers casting Z-Man soft plastics under popping corks.
Red drum fishing has been excellent while both sight-casting spoons on the flats or anchoring up and fishing cut baits.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers have been finding good dolphin action as we move into late spring. On top of the good numbers, the mahi have mostly been gaffer-sized fish being caught both trolling and pitching baits under floating structure.
There has also been a handful of bonus wahoo and scattered tuna, as well as some big blue marlin (to 300 lbs.) that have now shown up with this dolphin migration.
Prestyn Scanlon (age 13), of Rapid City, SD, caught (and released) this 46″ red drum. She was fishing in the Hatteras area with Capt. Jake Dempsey, of Dempsey Guide Service out of Oden’s Dock in Hatteras Village.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that the dolphin really showed up and anglers have been glad to see some great numbers with this first wave of fish. Plenty of trips are returning with double digits of gaffer-sized fish while trolling ballyhoo both naked and under skirts, including some nice bulls mixed in the catch (to 44 lbs.).
Billfish have also started to show up, with both blue marlin and white marlin now in the area.
A few wahoo round out the daily fish count, as they are mixed in the bite.
Ken, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers targeting the big red drum have found that the action has slowed a bit. They are still having success landing a few, though, with night-time anglers doing best.
There were some great bluefish blitzes on the beach. Schools of 18-22” blues were feeding so aggressively that they were pushing croakers onto the beach.
Pompano fishing is picking up, with some large fish (to 5 lbs.) caught while awaiting better numbers, and there are plenty of sea mullet mixed in the bottom fishing action.
In the sound, the speckled trout action has been phenomenal, with numbers and sizes (to 24”) both being quality.
There are a lot of puppy drum pushed inside and onto the flats around the inlets.
