Hatteras March 27, 2014
Logan Futch with a double header of puppy drum he hooked near Cape Point. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are still hooking puppy drum from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras. The fishing’s been best during the afternoons on sunny days, as warming water makes the drum more active on top of the sandbars along the beachfront and in areas like the Oregon Inlet Coast Guard harbor. Cut baits pinned to bottom rigs and soft baits like Gulps on jigheads are both producing action with the pups.
Some sea mullet and pufferfish are feeding along the outer bar down at Hatteras. Shrimp or Fish Bites baits on bottom rigs will fool both, and the action will only improve as the water temperatures climb over the coming weeks.
Bluefish have yet to show up along the beachfront, but boats are catching big numbers of the large spring “choppers” offshore. Warming water should also push them towards the shoreline in the near future.
Offshore, boats are still connecting with some giant bluefin tuna, but those trolling “green stick” gear are faring far better than boats pulling conventional spreads or working poppers and vertical jigs.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that puppy drum are feeding in the surf around the Buxton jetties and to the south. Anglers are hooking the pups on baited bottom rigs and soft plastics pinned to leadhead jigs.
Nick Wells with a 71 lb. wahoo he landed while trolling 60 miles off New River Inlet with Corey Sholar and Ernie James.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers continue to catch solid numbers of puppy drum along the Frisco beachfront, both while casting jigs and on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits. Big numbers of dogfish are also around and falling for the bottom rigs.
There hasn’t been much recent action with panfish like sea mullet and puffers, but anglers did connect with some during warm weather a few weeks back. The return of spring-like conditions should turn on the action for the smaller bottom feeders.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that the puppy drum action along Hatteras Island’s southern beaches just won’t quit, and anglers are still connecting with decent numbers of the fish from Buxton to Hatteras. Both bottom rigs bearing cut baits and shrimp and soft lures like Gulp baits on leadhead jigs are fooling the pups.
There’s also been some solid puppy drum fishing in the Pamlico Sound in recent weeks, and as in the surf, both bait and artificials are producing results.
The Hatteras Inlet offshore fleet is connecting with solid numbers of blackfin tuna on most days that they’ve been able to get out. Some dolphin and a handful of large bluefin tuna have also been in the mix. Ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures are fooling most of the blue water predators.
Bottom fishing around offshore structure has been excellent, with big catches of black sea bass and tilefish along with some large snowy groupers hitting the ice.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that the weather has kept boats at the dock quite a bit over March, but there are some encouraging signs when it’s calm enough to get offshore. Some bluefin tuna have been feeding offshore and falling for trolled baits, along with a few blackfin tuna and mako sharks. The action offshore should only improve as spring brings warmer water and, hopefully, calmer seas.
Inshore boats fishing the Pamlico Sound are connecting with solid numbers of puppy drum.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that offshore boats are finding some excellent bottom fishing action around structure off Hatteras Inlet, with triggerfish, black sea bass, beeliners, tilefish, and grouper all finding their way into the fish boxes.
Some blackfin and yellowfin tuna, false albacore, and a few wahoo are feeding closer to the surface offshore and falling for trolled ballyhoo and skirted lures.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that the puppy drum action is still going along the Ocracoke beachfront whenever the weather is friendly enough for anglers to get out. Both baited bottom rigs and artificials like Gulp baits are fooling the pups.
A few bluefish have already arrived as well, and anglers can expect to see sea mullet and pufferfish joining the action as the water temperatures rise a bit and spring wears on.
