Hatteras June 28, 2012
B. Keyes, of Swansea, MS, with a puppy drum he hooked in the surf of Ocracoke Island. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Tackle.
Dalton, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are still catching plenty of flounder in the new inlet north of Rodanthe, primarily on Gulp baits. There are still a lot of smaller fish, but decent numbers of keepers are in the mix as well.
More flounder and some speckled trout are feeding in Oregon Inlet, where anglers are hooking them on Gulp baits.
Sheepshead are looking for meals around the pilings of the Bonner Bridge. They’ll bite sand fleas fished tight to the structure.
Surf casters are picking up some sea mullet, spot, and pompano, mostly on shrimp and sand flea baits.
Plenty of bluefish are also feeding in the surf, and cut baits or metal lures will tempt them to bite.
Spanish mackerel seem to be a bit further off the sand, but anglers are hooking decent numbers while working metal lures from the piers and from kayaks.
Some large sharks are feeding in the surf and sound, where large cut baits will tempt bites from bulls, sand tigers, and more.
Spadefish have shown up around the ends of the piers and at the nearshore wrecks in the area.
Charlie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some bluefish and a few spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs and other metal lures from the pier.
A few spot and spadefish are taking an interest in shrimp and sand fleas on bottom rigs.
Several cobia have been seen around the pier recently, but they’ve been unwilling to bite.
Tammy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet, spot, croaker, and smaller flounder in the local surf, with shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits producing much of the action.
When the water’s clean, pompano and spanish mackerel are joining the action. Shrimp and sand fleas will tempt bites from the pomps, and small metal jigs worked quickly are attracting attention from the spaniards.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that spot, sea mullet, and croaker are making up the majority of the surf catch right now, with shrimp and sand fleas fooling most of the fish.
Some bluefish and spanish mackerel have been around when the water’s clear, and they’re taking an interest in flashy metal lures.
Jamie Pope, of Clinton, NC, with a gaffer dolphin that bit a ballyhoo under a Blue Water Candy Gaffer Candy skirt in 24 fathoms of water off Beaufort Inlet. He was fishing with Culley Wilson.
Sound fishermen are connecting with speckled trout on live baits and Gulps.
Cobia are still around, but they’ve moved out to deeper water than surf casters can reach.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are encountering pompano, sea mullet, and bluefish on Hatteras Island’s southern beaches. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits on bottom rigs will fool all three. A few bluefish are falling for metal lures worked quickly from the sand.
Some flounder have also been in the mix around Hatteras Inlet. Live baits, strip baits, and Gulps will all get attention from the flatfish.
Inshore boats are still finding plenty of action with spanish mackerel and bluefish while trolling small spoons near Hatteras Inlet.
Some speckled and gray trout are feeding in the sound near the inlet, and they’ll take an interest in soft plastic baits.
Offshore, the dolphin bite remains steady most days, with scattered wahoo and blackfin tuna in the mix as well. Some billfish are still around, and boats released white and blue marlin and sailfish over the past week.
Bottom fishing at offshore structure is producing plenty of action with tasty sea bass, triggerfish, snappers, and more.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the dolphin bite is still going strong off Hatteras Inlet. The wahoo action has been decent as well. Scattered black and yellowfin tuna are in the mix, as are white and blue marlin and a few sailfish. Ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures are fooling the majority of the fish, with squid and chunk baits producing results on smaller dolphin.
Trolling high-speed lures rigged on cable leaders at 12-15 knots is producing some bites from larger wahoo.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that sea mullet, pompano, and smaller bluefish have been providing most of the action for surf casters over the past week. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits have all been productive.
Trolling small spoons around the inlet and nearby in the sound and ocean is attracting plenty of attention from spanish mackerel.
Some cobia are still around and taking an interest in bottom baits in the inlets and channels.
Offshore, trollers are reporting plenty of action with dolphin and a few wahoo.
Bottom fishermen are boxing up fine catches of triggerfish.
