Hatteras June 23, 2011
Bob Sylverstein, of Wilmington, with a bull dolphin that fell for a naked ballyhoo in the Gulf Stream off Ocracoke Island while fishing with friends.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack Outfitters, reports that the sheepshead bite remains strong around Bonner Bridge. Anglers are catching the sheeps (some to 9+ lbs.) on sand fleas dangled close to the bridge pilings.
Surf casters are connecting with some spot, croaker, sea mullet, and pompano on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some bluefish (a few remaining choppers, but most smaller) are also feeding along the surf zone, and they will fall for a variety of baits or metal casting lures.
In the sound, anglers have found a solid speckled trout and flounder bite while working Gulp baits on jigheads.
Malcolm, of Frank and Fran’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the spanish mackerel and bluefish bite has slowed down a bit, but anglers are still connecting with some of both fish while casting Stingsilvers and other metal lures from the beaches early and late in the day. The bite should improve as NE winds clean and warm up the water this week.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, spot, croaker, and pompano while baiting up with shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas.
Several cobia have been seen and hooked from the pier over the past week.
Dan, of Red Drum Tackle, reports that the southern beaches have been seeing a decent sea mullet and pompano bite when the water’s clean. Some spot and croaker are providing action in the dirtier water. Shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas are getting attention from all the bottom feeders.
Several citation-class red drum were landed near Hatteras Inlet last week by surf casters tossing large cut baits.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding near the inlet, and anglers are hooking up with them in the evening hours while working Shore Lures and other metal jigs.
Anglers fishing the sound have found action with some flounder.
Bryan, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that anglers are catching some healthy flounder in the sound near Hatteras Inlet. Gulp baits will get attention from the flatfish.
Several large red drum were caught and released by anglers fishing large cut baits near the Hatteras Inlet beach closure.
Anglers have hooked up with some big pompano from the Hatteras beach. Sand fleas are fooling the pomps.
Spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches in the mornings and evenings and attacking metal casting lures that anglers are working.
Offshore, the dolphin bite is still excellent, with scattered larger gaffer dolphin mixed in with big numbers of bailers.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that the dolphin bite is still excellent off Hatteras Inlet. Boats are seeing big numbers of bailers, but there are still some larger gaffers in the mix as well. Some white marlin and a few blue marlin are also in the area, and ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures are fooling all the blue water predators.
Scott Eanes, of Jamestown, NC, with a 9 lb., 15 oz. sheepshead that fell for a sand flea beneath the Bonner Bridge catwalk. Weighed in at Hatteras Jack.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that sea mullet and some pompano are falling for shrimp and sand fleas from the Frisco beachfront. Some spot and croaker are around as well, and anglers picked up a few puppy drum on cut baits last week.
Inshore charter boats are connecting with some flounder and speckled and gray trout in the sounds. Trolling spoons along the beachfront and around the inlet has been producing action with bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Offshore, the dolphin fishing continues to be excellent, with many boats catching limits.
Jessica, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been decking big numbers of croaker over the past week.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits.
The spanish mackerel bite was decent several days last week, and anglers can look forward to more good spanish fishing when the water cleans up.
Jack, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs and other metal lures from the pier.
Some sea mullet are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Cody, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers caught and released several large red drum from the island’s surf last week. Cut baits are top choices for the big reds.
Pompano, sea mullet, and some flounder are rounding out the surf catch, and they’re also showing up in the sound.
Offshore, dolphin are making up the majority of the catch, with a few yellowfin tuna still in the mix. Both are falling for trolled ballyhoo.
