Hatteras March 29, 2012
Marge VanDeman, of Marshall, VA, with a 9.5 lb. bluefish that bit a cut bait in the Ocracoke surf. Weighed in at Tradewinds Bait and Tackle.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that some speckled trout have shown up in the sound around Bodie Island Lighthouse, and anglers are hooking them while working soft plastic baits on light jigheads in 6-8’ of water.
Surf casters are finding action with some puppy drum and big drum at Cape Point while soaking cut baits.
Some sea mullet, pufferfish, and bluefish are feeding in the surf along the southern beaches, and intermittently to the north. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will get attention from all three.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are putting together solid catches of pufferfish and some fat sea mullet from the local beaches. Shrimp and Fish Bites bloodworms are producing most of the action. Some puppy drum, smaller flounder, and taylor bluefish have also been in the mix.
Big red drum have made some of their first showings of the year at Cape Point, so anglers are hopefully looking forward to a solid spring run. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are the way to go for the big reds.
Some cobia have been turning up in nets not far off Hatteras Village, and spanish mackerel have been reported at Ocracoke, so the bite is looking rather promising for late March and early April.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters have released some of the first big red drum of the year from Cape Point in recent weeks. Large cut baits fished at the end of long casts are producing most of the action with the big reds.
Inshore charters have been finding steady action with the big reds just off Cape Point, so the fish are there in numbers and all it takes is the right weather to have them feeding in range of surf casters. Netters have reported decent cobia catches within a few miles of the beaches.
Spanish mackerel have also made their first appearance of the year off Ocracoke, so it appears the spring fishing is about to get cranked up.
Surf fishermen have also been putting together some solid catches of pufferfish and sea mullet from the Hatteras, Frisco, and Buxton Beaches while bottom fishing with shrimp and other baits.
Bluefish have been in the mix from the south-facing beaches as well.
Offshore, the bluefin tuna were still feeding far out to the east last week, but they have likely moved on to the north. Some solid yellowfin fishing was available out east as well for boats making the long run.
Closer to Hatteras Inlet, the blackfin tuna bite has been excellent (with some citation-class 20+ pounders in the mix). Some dolphin and wahoo are also in the mix at the local spots, and all the blue water fish have been falling for ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures. Anglers have also been able to hook up with some citation-class blackfins and plenty of amberjacks while vertical jigging at local blue water structure.
Elio, from Newark, NJ, with a bluefin tuna that bit a topwater popper east of Cape Hatteras while he was fishing with Capt. Jay Kavanagh and mate Jeremy Hicks on the charterboat "Bite Me" out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that the spring bite is off to an excellent start. The bluefin tuna action was decent far out to the east until around a week ago. The fish are now being reported around the NC/VA state line, so that bite is likely over. Fortunately, some solid yellowfin tuna action has replaced the bluefins in the same area, with ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures producing most of the bites.
Closer to Hatteras, plenty of blackfin tuna are biting trolled baits and vertical jigs, with some citation-class fish taking an interest in baits dangled from kites. Along with the blackfin, anglers have seen a good early run of gaffer dolphin and a few big wahoo on the troll.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are still connecting with some big red drum at the island’s south point. The bite has been in the daytime, with little action in the evening hours. Large cut baits are tempting bites from the reds.
The large reds are also schooling up in the sound near the inlet, and anglers have been sight-casting to fish from boats when conditions allow.
Surf casters are also still hooking up with some puppy drum and good numbers of bluefish (most smaller, but a 9.5 lb. fish was landed last week). Some of the blues are also taking an interest in metal lures worked from the beaches.
Bottom fishing with shrimp in the surf has been producing plenty of action with sea mullet and pufferfish for anglers looking to put together a fish fry.
Offshore, trollers are hooking up with some wahoo, and bottom fishermen have had excellent luck with the triggerfish lately.
