Hatteras June 30, 2011
Jim Amos, of Mineral Wells, WV, with a 53 lb. cobia that fell for a cut bait in the surf off Ramp 55. Photo courtesy of JAM at Teach's Lair Marina.
Eddie, of Hatteras Jack’s, reports that sheepshead fishing along the pilings of the Bonner Bridge is still exceptional. Anglers are catching big numbers of the striped fish (and plenty of 8+ lb. citations) while dangling sand fleas next to the structure.
Surf fishermen in the Rodanthe area are connecting with some spot, croaker, and sea mullet and a few pompano (with some 2+ lb. citations weighed in lately). Sand fleas and shrimp are producing the lion’s share of the action with all of these bottom feeders.
A few flounder and speckled trout are falling for soft plastics and natural baits in the surf.
Several cobia were caught from Avon Pier last week (with one almost 90 lbs.).
Some large speckled trout (to 5 lbs.) have been caught in the sound on soft plastics recently.
Kathleen, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been decking some croaker, spot, and a few pompano while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
One cobia was also caught from the pier last week.
Malcolm, of Frank and Fran’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have dealt with some dirty water over the past week, but it’s been clearing in recent days. Surf anglers are connecting with some croaker and spot (though most are small) and some healthy sea mullet and pompano (better fishing when the water’s clear). Shrimp and sand fleas will fool the surf bottom feeders.
Flounder fishing has been decent in the surf down closer to Hatteras.
Pier anglers are connecting with bluefish and spanish mackerel when the water’s clean while working Gotcha plugs and other lures from the planks.
Some spadefish are also coming over the rails at Avon Pier.
Jack, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some spot, croaker, and spadefish while bottom fishing from the pier.
When the water’s clean, some spanish mackerel have been falling for Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf anglers have been hooking up with some sea mullet and pompano on the beach at Frisco on shrimp and sand fleas.
More bluefish and a few spanish mackerel have been falling for metal lures worked from the beach near Hatteras Inlet.
Bluefish, spot, and sea mullet have been reported from the beach up towards Buxton.
Inshore, anglers are hooking up with some speckled trout in the sound while working soft plastic baits.
Boats trolling in the inlet and along the beach are hooking up with good numbers of spanish mackerel on small spoons.
The offshore fleet is still finding plenty of action with dolphin while trolling ballyhoo in the blue water. Some scattered wahoo, blackfin tuna, and billfish action is also in the mix.
Teresa Adams, of Ocracoke, with a cobia she hooked while bottom fishing in the Pamlico Sound.
Jam, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that boats are still bringing big numbers of dolphin back to the docks (but most are now bailers instead of gaffers). Decent billfish action has also been taking place off Hatteras Inlet, with sailfish and white and blue marlin releases last week.
Closer to the beaches, plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for #00 Clarkspoons that boats are trolling around the inlet and along the beachfront.
Anglers are still encountering some straggler cobia locally, and one 53 lb. fish was landed from the surf at Ramp 55 last week.
Surf anglers are also catching good numbers of pompano (many citation fish over 2 lbs. with some to over 5 lbs.) and a few sea mullet while baiting bottom rigs with shrimp and sand fleas.
Inshore, the speckled trout and flounder bite is on in the sound. Both fish are taking an interest in scented soft plastic baits like Fishbites Xtreme and Gulps. Bouncing the lures along the bottom is the way to go for the flatfish, while a faster retrieve further up in the water column will tempt bites from the trout.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that boats are still finding an excellent dolphin bite in the blue water off Hatteras Inlet. Good numbers of blue and white marlin and sailfish are mixed in with the ‘phins, and all will take an interest in rigged ballyhoo.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are still catching good numbers of big pompano from the beach (many 2-3 lbs.). Some sea mullet and black drum (to 6 lbs.) are mixed in, and all three are falling for shrimp and sand fleas fished just off the beach in the wash.
Inshore, anglers have been connecting with good numbers of keeper flounder while drifting through the channels with Gulps and small live baits.
The pompano bite has also been good in the sound on shrimp and sand fleas.
Spanish mackerel are feeding in the sound and taking an interest in trolled spoons and metal lures that anglers are casting and retrieving.
Some small cobia are cruising through Blair Channel and taking an interest in live baits.
