Hatteras May 9, 2013
Mike Murphy and friends, from PA, with wahoo, blackfin tuna, and dolphin they hooked while trolling off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Jay Kavanagh on the “Bite Me” out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are starting to see better numbers of bluefish from the beaches, and they’re hooking them on most days when it’s reasonably warm and calm. Some fat sea mullet and a few puppy drum are also feeding in the breakers. Cut baits and shrimp on bottom rigs will attract attention from all the surf fish.
Speckled trout and more puppy drum are feeding in the sound, with the creekmouths on the back side of the island producing some of the best action recently. Anglers are also connecting with good numbers of the pups and specks while casting lures around the little bridge on the Nags Head causeway. Gulp baits and other soft plastics have been the most productive baits.
Terry, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been catching plenty of bluefish lately (many around 3 lbs. and some pushing 10 lbs.). Cut baits on bottom rigs are fooling the blues.
Before the rough weather last week, there was a good run of sea mullet and pufferfish for anglers fishing with shrimp, and they should be back once the ocean calms down.
Tammy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that some fat sea mullet and bluefish (most small but a few to 10+ lbs.) have been the dominant catch for local surf anglers lately. A few black drum have been in the mix. Shrimp and cut baits on bottom rigs are the way to go for anglers casting from the sand.
Not much has begun happening in the sound at Avon yet, but anglers around Hatteras Inlet are hooking good numbers of puppy drum.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that the surf is calming down and cleaning up, and anglers should see improved action over the next few weeks. Sea mullet have been the main catch for beach anglers lately, but a few large bluefish are also around and biting bottom rigs. The best action over the past week has come from anglers fishing near the remains of Frisco Pier.
Steve King, of WV, with his first topwater speckled trout, hooked on a Heddon Torpedo while he was fishing a creek off the Neuse River with Capt. D. Ashley King of Keep Castin’ Charters.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, pufferfish, and bluefish while casting baits from Hatteras Island’s south-facing beaches. A few black drum and puppy drum have also been biting surf casters’ baits.
Inshore boats fishing Pamlico Sound are connecting with plenty of puppy drum.
The Hatteras Inlet offshore fleet has been finding good numbers of yellowfin and blackfin tuna, as well as seeing a push of dolphin over the past few weeks. Some wahoo are also taking an interest in ballyhoo and other baits being dragged by offshore trollers.
Amberjacks and grouper are feeding around offshore bottom structure, and anglers can hook both on vertical jigs.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the Hatteras Inlet fleet is seeing offshore fishing reminiscent of the old days, with solid catches of yellowfin and blackfin tuna, dolphin, and wahoo over the past few weeks. It’s been a bit rough, but that’s always been a part of spring fishing as well.
Most of the action has been to the south from directly off the inlet to the Diamond Shoals Tower. Trolled ballyhoo are producing the lion’s share of the action with all the blue water fish, but anglers are also bailing and pitching dink ballyhoo at the dolphin The dolphin should become more numerous and larger as the water continues to warm up.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers have seen some tough conditions over the past week, but they’ve managed some solid catches as well. Sea mullet have been producing most of the action, with some pufferfish, bluefish, and black and puppy drum in the mix as well. Shrimp and cut baits on double-drop rigs are tempting most of the bites.
Not many folks have been fishing for citation-class drum lately, but those who have are releasing a few. With the north and east winds lately, the island’s north point on Hatteras Inlet was the most productive spot for the big reds last week. The big reds are taking an interest in larger cut baits on fish finder rigs.
