Hatteras – November 17, 2016
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the action of late has been sea mullet on the oceanside, with anglers connecting with a number of larger fish.
There have been a few reports of anglers connecting with larger bluefish (measuring 30”) on the north side of Avon and down in the Hook.
The shark bite has been decent in the ocean as well in the Rodanthe area.
Those looking for the red drum bite have still found a couple of drum in the mid-40” range, as well as smaller puppy drum.
Pufferfish have started to show back up in the waters with the cooling temperatures.
Soundside fishing has been slow, with not many fish being reported.
Anglers should be using cut mullet and bunker for bait if the water is dirty. Once the water clears and the weather calms, throw soft plastics for puppy drum and speckled trout (and the occasional flounder).
Team Advanced Fishing-USA took first place in the 59th annual Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Surf Fishing Tournament, with 288 total points.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are mostly connecting with sea mullet and black drum off the pier. Use bloodworms or cut bait to connect with these fish.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers around Cape Point have seen quite a few citation-sized red drum. Puppy drum can be found in similar areas as well.
Those throwing in the surf have connected with sea mullet (averaging around 1 lb.), as well as bluefish and black drum. Those casting from the beach have been using cut mullet along with artificial sand fleas to hook fish.
The crew aboard the charter boat Bite Me with their haul of blackfin tuna. They were fishing with Capt. Jay Kavanagh out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Earl, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with red drum, from puppy to citation sized, off the pier on cut mullet.
Those dropping down bottom rigs with shrimp or bloodworms have connected with northern mullet, as well as blow toads that have returned to the area with the cooler waters.
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports red drum along the beaches of Hatteras. Throw cut mullet to connect with the fish (of varying sizes) this time of year.
Anglers in the surf are also landing sea mullet, bluefish, and flounder. Those targeting flounder on the ocean side should use soft plastics, or the preferred method of strips of squid on a Carolina rig.
Puppy drum and trout are being caught in the ocean around Hatteras, and the bite is wrapping around into the sound. Trout are currently falling for artificials, with the Gulp swimming mullet in pearl white being the most successful.
Terry, of Teach’s Lair, reports that fishing has been slow, with windy conditions keeping most boats docked. Those that are fishing inshore are connecting with undersized fish, such as flounder and red drum.
Those wanting to connect with redfish should use cut bait. Strips of squid or shrimp on a Carolina rig, or artificials on jigheads, may connect with some flatfish.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that slot puppy drum are biting well in the sound on cut mullet.
The speckled trout bite in the same area has been off and on, and anglers need to throw soft plastics to connect with those fish.
Schools of big red drum have shown up around Cape Point, and those looking to target the fish should sight cast big bucktails to the schools. There have also been 2-4 lb. bluefish reported in the same area.
Also off the beach, anglers have found schools of false albacore, and these aggressive feeders will hit lures like Stingsilvers.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that despite the weather, anglers are connecting with copious amounts of blackfin tuna offshore. The wahoo bite is still happening in the same areas, and anglers shouldn’t be surprised to hook up with a stray bonita as well.
Live bait action for the kings has been good nearshore.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that most surf anglers are connecting with puppy drum and black drum in the surf. Those looking to target the reds should throw cut mullet, and the black drum will take shrimp or Fishbites in shrimp or bloodworm flavors.
Surf anglers have also caught bluefish, the occasional flounder, and blow toads using similar baits.
