Hatteras – May 8, 2014
Lance and Ashley Brown, of Charlotte, with a 42″ red drum Ashley caught and released after it struck a cut bait at Cape Point. Photo courtesy of Frank and Fran’s Bait and Tackle.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf fishing is heating up on Hatteras Island. Anglers are connecting with slot and over-slot red drum on cut baits and shrimp pinned to bottom and fish finder rigs. Some sheepshead and sea mullet are also taking an interest in shrimp on bottom rigs.
Bluefish have made their arrival and are biting a variety of baits on bottom rigs along with metal casting lures that anglers are working.
After a lull for several weeks, the slot and over-slot red drum action has turned on in the sound from Buxton to Rodanthe. Cut baits will fool the reds in the sound as well, and anglers can also hook up while working soft plastic baits on jigheads.
Michael, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are hooking big numbers of bluefish while working Gotcha plugs and on bottom rigs baited with squid.
There’s been some solid puppy drum action on both bait and artificials (like soft plastics).
Some sea mullet and gray trout are also coming over the rails.
Grant Mayo, of northern VA, with a citation bluefish that bit a cut bait in the Cape Hatteras surf. Photo courtesy of Tightline Charters.
Tammy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are hooking a lot of pufferfish on shrimp and other baits in the local surf. A mixed bag of other bottom feeders including sea mullet, spot, croaker, puppy drum, and more are also feeding in the suds and taking an interest in anglers’ offerings.
Bluefish have shown up and are biting a variety of baits along with the casting jigs that anglers are working.
Some pompano have begun to mix into the catch on the island’s southern beaches.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that there’s been solid surf action with bottom feeders like sea mullet, pufferfish, and puppy drum for local surf casters lately. Some skates and dogfish are still in the mix as well. Bloodworms and shrimp are producing most of the action on the bottom rigs.
Bluefish are feeding in the surf zone as well and are biting baits and a variety of casting lures.
The puppy drum bite has also turned on in the sound, where anglers are hooking up while casting spoons, soft plastics, and on baits.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that surf casters are finding action with a variety of fish from Buxton to Hatteras. Sea mullet, pufferfish, croaker, bluefish, and flounder are all in the mix, and anglers are starting to see some pompano mixed in. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action in the breakers.
Some puppy drum are still mixed in with the surf catch, and anglers have been releasing some citation-class reds from Cape Point. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are fooling the big reds.
Inshore boats are still hooking plenty of puppy drum along with some bluefish. Some cobia were spotted last weekend as well.
The offshore fleet is starting to see the blue water bite turn on for the season. Wahoo, gaffer dolphin, and blackfin and yellowfin tuna have all been finding their way into the fish boxes over the past week, mostly falling for skirted and naked ballyhoo. Billfish have shown up as well, and boats connected with sailfish and blue and white marlin last week.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that the offshore fleet is hooking gaffer dolphin and blackfin tuna while pulling ballyhoo in the blue water. Billfish are starting to join in the action as well and also taking an interest in boats’ trolling spreads.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing triggerfish, golden and blueline tilefish, and more.
Surf casters are reporting action with a variety of bottom feeders including sea mullet, flounder, bluefish, puppy drum, and a few pompano. Some citation-class reds are also falling for anglers’ baits in the surf.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers have been hooking gaffer dolphin in decent numbers on most recent days. Blackfin tuna and wahoo are still in the mix and all are falling for skirted ballyhoo. Anglers also saw some yellowfin tuna action last week and released a white marlin.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing some of just about everything while surf fishing from the Ocracoke beachfront right now. The puppy drum action is still going strong, and anglers have also caught black drum, sea mullet, flounder, bluefish, and more over the past week.
Citation-class red drum are still feeding in the surf zone as well. Cut baits on fish-finder rigs are fooling the big reds.
Offshore boats are hooking wahoo, dolphin, and blackfin tuna while trolling ballyhoo in the blue water. Dropping bottom rigs to the wrecks and other structure offshore is producing fast action with triggerfish, along with some grouper.
