Hatteras – June 8, 2017
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers fishing inshore have had success landing red drum on cut bait at night. Speckled trout are also feeding in the sound and are willing to take a soft plastic rigged on a popping cork or on a 1/4 oz. jig head. Anglers are starting to see flounder move in to the area more and more each day, and they have been feeding best on live menhaden or mud minnows.
Surf anglers have had plenty of action fishing the bottom for sea mullet. The most productive baits have been fresh shrimp or Fishbites. Anglers throwing metal jigs from the surf have been rewarded with keeper-size spanish.
Just off the beach in the 1-3 mile range, cobia are still feeding near bait balls and structure. Anglers are having the most luck pitching bucktails to them (when the water is calm enough) or by fishing pogies on the bottom.
Offshore, many boats have had great success trolling rigged and naked ballyhoo for yellowfin tuna and mahi. When dropping to the bottom, grouper have been giving anglers the most action.
Keith Brown, of Mint Hill, NC, caught this 21” flounder in the Cape Creek.
Tim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers throwing Gotcha plugs from the pier are hooking keeper spanish in the 12-16” range, as well as bluefish in the 1-3 lb. range. Those electing to fish fresh shrimp on the bottom have been hooking up with flounder, sea mullet, and spadefish.
Tobi, of Avon Pier, reports that fishing fresh shrimp on bottom rigs has landed plenty of sea mullet. Bluefish are still feeding in the surf and have been willing to hit Gotcha plugs.
A few cobia have been hooked from the pier, but none have been landed.
Stephanie, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that the sea mullet bite continues to give anglers plenty of action. Fresh shrimp or tuna belly has been the key to landing good numbers of sea mullet.
Anglers casting Hopkins spoons and Stingsilvers from the pier have landed bluefish in the 1-2 lb. range, as well as spanish in the 12-15” range.
Surf casters fishing the point in the evening have landed a few cobia.
Teri, of Frisco Tackle, reports that the pompano have arrived, and anglers are catching most of them on bloodworms.
Flounder and black drum have been feeding in the surf zone, and using fresh shrimp on bottom rigs has been the ticket. Those fishing the end of the pier have landed a few cobia in the 70-80 lb. range.
Chad Blevins with a 37” red drum caught at Oregon Inlet while surf fishing.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that inshore anglers are catching speckled trout in the 3-4 lb. range. Live minnows and fresh shrimp has been the key to landing the trout.
In the surf zone, anglers are having luck landing sea mullet and croaker while using fresh shrimp and bloodworms on double drop rigs, and those casting Stingsilvers from the surf have been hooking up with small bluefish and keeper-size spanish.
Near the inlets, anglers are finding success on large red drum in the 40+” range while drifting live and fresh baits. Right off the beach when the conditions are right, boats are still connecting with solid numbers of cobia. Sight fishing bait balls, turtles, and other nearshore structure while pitching bucktails has been the key to getting bit. Cobia as large as 104 lbs. have been caught while sight fishing.
Offshore in the Gulf Stream, boats are still hooking good numbers of blue marlin while trolling Ilander lures. Trolling rigged and naked ballyhoo in the blue water is also producing limits of blackfin, as well as some mahi mixed in.
Bottom fishing in the 180-200′ range, anglers are connecting with solid numbers of blackbelly rose fish, grouper, and black sea bass on cut bait. Moving out to the 600-900′ range, they’re landing golden tilefish (as well as triggerfish) on cut baits.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the mahi fishing has slowed down a bit, but fish are still in the area. Anglers trolling rigged ballyhoo with blue and white skirts have been getting the job done.
A few billfish are being landed, and trolling Ilander lures has been the ticket for a good billfish bite.
When dropping to the bottom, triggerfish have been keeping anglers busy. They have been willing to bite most fresh cut baits.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that offshore fishing has stayed hot, with plenty of sailfish and blue marlin action. Anglers pulling Ilander lures behind the boat, as well as rigged and naked ballyhoo, have found great success. There are gaffer-size dolphin in the area, with most coming while trolling rigged ballyhoo on blue and white skirts.
Anglers that have tried their luck bottom fishing have been rewarded with large amberjacks, triggerfish, snappers, and black sea bass on fresh cut bait. Most fish have come from the 300′ range.
Ken, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are landing good numbers of puppy drum (with a few larger drum mixed in) while using cut bait.
Bluefish, sea mullet, and flounder have been feeding on fresh shrimp and cut bait in the surf zone.
Anglers fishing the sound have landed a handful of cobia on cut mullet and menhaden. Flounder, gray trout, bluefish, sheepshead, spot, and croakers have also been feeding in the sound, with a mixture of squid and cut mullet working on these fish.
Offshore, trolling blue and white or blue and pink rigged ballyhoo has been the key to getting on a good dolphin bite. Blackfin and yellowfin tuna have also been willing to feed in the same areas. Some wahoo have been caught, but they have been scattered and hard to pattern.
