Added on Thursday, May 31, 2012  Fish Post

Hatteras May 31, 2012

Jim, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers have been catching some huge bluefish (several in the 20 lb. class reported) while casting cut baits in the surf around Ramp 55.

Surf fishermen all along Hatteras Island are finding action with sea mullet, croaker, and other bottomfish on rigs baited with shrimp.

Gray and speckled trout and flounder are feeding in Oregon Inlet, and live baits or soft plastic lures will fool all three.

The trout bite is also still going in the sound, with Bodie Island Lighthouse and the sloughs around Oregon Inlet producing most of the action.

Sheepshead are looking for meals around the pilings of the Bonner Bridge, and anglers dangling sand fleas next to the structure are hooking them.

 

Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that prevalent seaweed has made surf fishing a little tough over the past week, but anglers fishing through the nuisance are making some nice catches.

There have been big numbers of big bluefish caught in the surf all along Hatteras Island lately. Most are falling for mullet or other cut baits.

Several cobia were caught from the sand at Ramps 43 and 55 recently, and large cut baits are the way to go for the cobia, too.

Anglers baiting up with shrimp and sand fleas are catching good numbers of sea mullet and some fat pompano (many 2+ lb. citations).

 

Jack, of Avon Pier, reports that bluefish (ranging from small to 10+ lb. choppers) are making up the majority of the catch from the pier right now.

Dirty water has slowed down the plugging bite, but anglers soaking cut and live baits on the bottom are finding plenty of action with the blues.

 

Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers have been catching large chopper bluefish from Ramp 49 to the closure near Cape Point. Cut baits are tempting most of the bites.

Down around Ramp 55, some healthy sea mullet and pompano are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and sand fleas.

A few lucky anglers have also landed slot-size puppy drum lately at Ramp 55.

Back in the sound, anglers are finding action with speckled trout, flounder, and bluefish while working soft plastic baits.

Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that that surf anglers are catching good numbers of large chopper bluefish from the Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras beaches. Large cut baits are top choices for the big blues, but anglers may also be able to hook up while casting metal spoons and jigs. A few pompano and larger sea mullet have been around and biting sand fleas and shrimp along the beaches as well.

Inshore, boats trolling small spoons around Hatteras Inlet and just off the beaches are connecting with plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish.

Fishing in the Pamlico Sound has been producing plenty of blues and some gray and speckled trout.

Some large red drum have been feeding within a few miles of the inlet, and boats who find the fish are hooking them while casting large bucktails.

The offshore fleet is still finding a wide open gaffer dolphin bite while fishing the blue water off Hatteras Inlet, with skirted ballyhoo fooling the majority of the fish. Some blackfin tuna and blue and white marlin have been mixed in with the dolphin, with several recent days producing surprisingly good blue marlin bites.

 

Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the excellent gaffer dolphin bite is still going strong in the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet. The billfish bite has also turned on, with boats seeing good numbers of blue marlin along with some white marlin, sailfish, and spearfish.

Ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures are fooling the dolphin and billfish.

 

Jim, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf casters have been catching big numbers of bluefish and scattered puppy drum from the Ocracoke surf recently. Cut baits are fooling both.

Some gray trout and flounder are coming from the sound, but not too many people are fishing for them.

Offshore, the dolphin bite has been hot, and boats are also seeing some blue marlin.