Hatteras June 7, 2012
Brian Macomson, mate of the "Gecko" charterboat, leaders and prepares to release a blue marlin that angler Bob Dove battled to the boat offshore of Ocracoke Inlet while fishing with Capt. Ernest Doshier.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that there’s been a good spanish mackerel bite lately for anglers working Gotcha plugs off Rodanthe pier when the water’s been clean.
Surf casters are connecting with some big bluefish on cut baits fished on the bottom, and a few while casting metal lures from the sand.
Some fat pompano are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and sand fleas, and sea mullet, spot, croaker, and other panfish are also in the mix.
A few cobia were caught from shore on the Frisco and Hatteras beaches last week.
There’s been a decent speckled trout bite back in the sound. Working popping corks and Gulp shrimp or other soft plastics on the flats has been the most productive tactic lately.
Some red drum are feeding on the shoals in the sound around the inlets.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around the pilings of the Bonner Bridge. Some tautog are mixed in, and anglers are hooking all three while dangling sand fleas next to the structure.
Tammy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers are beaching big numbers of large and small bluefish on cut baits and other offerings all along Hatteras Island.
Spanish mackerel have made an appearance, and anglers are hooking them while working small metal lures from the beaches and pier when the water’s clean.
Clean water has also been producing some strong pompano fishing, and good numbers of sea mullet are mixed in. Shrimp and sand fleas are the best baits for both.
Craig Cary with a big bluefish he hooked at Ramp 49 on a cut bait. Photo courtesy of Frisco Rod and Gun.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches intermittently, with some days producing decent action for anglers working small metal lures from the sand.
Some medium and large bluefish are falling for the metal lures and baited bottom rigs.
Good numbers of flounder are also biting bottom rigs in the surf (but many are just shy of the 15” legal minimum).
Anglers casting shrimp and sand fleas from the beaches are connecting with some sea mullet and big pompano.
And a cobia was caught by a surf caster fishing down by the closure at ramp 49 last week.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are catching plenty of bluefish (both large and small) from the beaches, with the best action from Avon down to Hatteras. Cut baits on bottom rigs are accounting for most of the fish.
Several cobia have been caught from the beach at Buxton over the past week.
Some sea mullet and pompano are coming from the Frisco beach, with most falling for sand fleas or fresh shrimp.
Trolling around the inlet and just off the beaches is producing plenty of action with spanish mackerel and bluefish, with Clarkspoons doing most of the damage.
Some cobia and citation-class red drum are also feeding near the inlet.
Boats fishing the sound are connecting with some puppy drum.
Offshore, the gaffer dolphin bite has slowed a bit, but there are still plenty around to be caught. Some wahoo and blackfin tuna are mixed in with the ‘phins. The billfish bite continues to be steady, with decent numbers of blue and white marlin releases for the Hatteras fleet.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing some big catches of black sea bass, tilefish, triggerfish, and grouper.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the gaffer dolphin bite has slowed down from the frantic action a few weeks back, but anglers are still catching decent numbers while trolling ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures in the Gulf Stream. Some blackfin tuna and wahoo are mixed in with the ‘phins.
There’s still a decent blue marlin bite off Hatteras Inlet, and the boat released one in the 350 lb. class last week.
Jim, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that the surf fishing has slowed a bit overall with the high winds last week, but anglers still released some large red drum and caught some keeper-sized puppies over the past week. Cut baits are producing most of the action with the reds.
Some sea mullet are falling for shrimp and other baits on bottom rigs in the surf.
Back in the sound, anglers landed several cobia while bottom fishing with dead and cut baits in Blair Channel last week.
