Hatteras May 12, 2011
A jumping blue marlin caught-and-released by Judy Conley, of WV, after it struck a skirted ballyhoo while she was trolling the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Jay Kavanagh aboard the “Bite Me.”
Connie, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that some bluefish and sea mullet have been producing the majority of the action in the surf of late.
Netters have been landing some spanish mackerel, so they’re starting to show, and it shouldn’t be long until nearshore boats and even surf anglers are getting in on the spanish action.
Not much has been happening in the sound over the past week, but anglers were catching some bluefish and puppy drum last week. They should still be around.
Offshore, boats are finding some solid gaffer dolphin and a few scattered wahoo while fishing the Gulf Stream out of Hatteras Inlet.
Frank, of Frank and Fran’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are still encountering plenty of bluefish (small and large) from all over the island’s surf. Cut baits and metal lures will attract attention from the blues.
Scattered puppy drum are in mixed in with the blues, and anglers caught some of the year’s first pompano from the beach around Hatteras Village last week. A few sea mullet and puffers are still around, but the water’s getting a little warm for their liking and the bite is tapering off.
Boats are starting to see and hook some big drum and cobia around Hatteras Inlet and to the south.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack’s, reports that anglers are hooking big bluefish from the surf and on the fishing piers up and down the Outer Banks. Metal lures and cut baits are top choices for the big blues.
Sea mullet are still providing some action on the Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches, and shrimp or bloodworms on bottom rigs will attract their attention.
Keeper flounder have been reported from the beaches south of the Cape and by waders at Oregon Inlet.
Inshore and nearshore boats are seeing some of the year’s first spanish mackerel, and they’ve sighted some cobia as well. More cobia have been feeding further south towards Drum Inlet, but they’ll be moving north over the coming weeks.
Zach, of Red Drum Tackle, reports that surf anglers saw some cobia in the wash around Ramp 45 last week.
Some large bluefish have been hooked in the same area, with plenty of smaller blues feeding in the rest of the islands’ surf.
A few sea mullet were reported from the northern beaches last week.
Anglers are picking up some flounder around the jetties near the old lighthouse location, and Gulp baits will tempt them to bite.
The first spanish mackerel of the year was also caught from the beach last week. Casting small metal lures to busting schools of fish and bird activity just offshore is the way to hook up with the spaniards from the beach.
Anthony, from Pennsylvania, with a sea mullet he hooked on fresh cut bait while fishing with family from Avon Pier.
Jam, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that offshore boats are connecting with gaffer dolphin, wahoo, blackfin tuna, a few yellowfins, and decent numbers of mako sharks while trolling ballyhoo in the blue water off Hatteras Inlet. Some billfish are also beginning to show up.
A few cobia have been caught as far north as the hook of Cape Hatteras, with a few more from the Hatteras Inlet area, and the bite should be turning on strong in the coming weeks. Sight-casting bucktails and bottom fishing with large cut baits will attract attention from the cobia. Some citation-class black drum are mixed in with the cobia.
Large red drum are also feeding on the shoals at Hatteras Inlet, and most nearshore charters are hooking them.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are chasing bait nearshore, and anglers are hooking both (with some blues to 13 lbs.) while trolling #00 Clarkspoons just off the beaches.
Surf anglers are catching all the bluefish they can stand on bait and metal lures.
Anglers making the walk to Cape Point are still connecting with decent numbers of citation-class red drum while fishing large cut baits in the surf.
Flounder fishing also remains strong along the breakers.
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that Gulf Stream trolling has been producing increasing numbers of gaffer dolphin. There’s also been some good blackfin tuna fishing along with a few yellowfins, wahoo, and mako sharks in the mix, and the fleet is seeing some blue marlin as well.
Rigged ballyhoo have been responsible for most of the action of late, but anglers are also witnessing some explosive surface action on artificials fished under a kite.
Alan, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that bluefish have been providing the majority of the action in the surf over the past week (with some choppers to 13 lbs.). Most are falling for cut baits, but anglers have caught a few smaller fish and the first few spanish mackerel of the year while casting metal jigs.
Some black drum and sheepshead have been hooked by anglers fishing with shrimp lately in the island’s surf. Some smaller flounder, gray trout, and sea mullet have been mixed in.
Boats in the sound are connecting with some sea mullet, gray trout, and flounder.
Some red drum and cobia (up to 80 lbs.) are feeding around the inlet shoals, and anglers are hooking them while sight-casting bucktails from boats.
Offshore, the fleet is hooking up with some wahoo, black and yellowfin tuna, and dolphin.
