Hatteras/Ocracoke – August 15, 2019
JAM, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf fishing has been steady for anglers bottom fishing, with a good variety of sea mullet, croakers, and black drum all feeding on shrimp. Also, large pompano are being caught with shrimp and sand fleas fished on Rattle Rigs.
Anglers on the piers are landing a few spadefish when keeping baits up against the pilings, and bluefish are in the surf zone hitting casting jigs in the mornings.
Sound-side fishing has been spectacular for speckled trout. Soft plastics fished under popping corks while wade and kayak fishing in deeper holes has been productive for limits of keeper fish.
Kylie Smith, of Raleigh, NC, with a mahi caught at the Stream on a naked ballyhoo trolling a weed line.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers bottom fishing are producing spadefish, pompano, sea mullet, spot, and croaker.
A few smaller flounder are being caught in deeper holes closer to the beach.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are hitting Gotcha plugs cast from mid-pier areas out to the end.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf anglers in Rodanthe have been catching a good mix of pompano, bluefish, and sea mullet while casting bottom rigs with shrimp.
Spanish mackerel have been thick at the piers, with Gotcha plugs producing the most strikes.
Bluefish have been biting well from the beach in the Avon area. They’re hitting casting jigs and Carolina-rigged cut baits.
Spadefish and croaker are in the deeper sloughs throughout Salvo.
Legal-sized flounder are biting Carolina-rigged live bait and soft plastics fished on 1/4 oz. jig heads around Hatteras.
Sound-side anglers have been catching great numbers of speckled trout with 4” Gulp mullet under a popping cork rig.
Red drum are on the flats, and they’re hitting Carolina-rigged live baits fished along grass banks and near oyster beds.
Kristen, of Avon Pier, reports that large pompano (up to 2.5 lbs.) are being caught with shrimp and sand fleas in deeper holes just past the breakers.
Bottom rigs are producing bites from sea mullet, croaker, and spadefish.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are hitting Gotcha plugs.
Anglers fishing off the end have landed a few large king mackerel (up to 31 lbs.).
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports that bottom fishing has been producing large pompano, sea mullet, and croakers.
A few red drum are around, and they’re hitting Carolina-rigged cut baits.
Sound-side anglers have been doing very well while wade fishing for speckled trout with soft plastics.
Lee, of Teach’s Lair, reports that surf anglers are landing citation-sized sea mullet and huge pompano (up to 3.5 lbs.) while casting bottom rigs into holes just off the sand.
Red drum (up to 29”) are being hooked with Carolina-rigged cut mullet around Ramp 55.
Bluefish are being caught with the same cut baits, as well as glass minnow jigs.
A keeper cobia was landed at Ramp 44 with cut bait.
Nearshore anglers have been catching limits of spanish mackerel and bluefish while trolling Clarkspoons from the beach out to two miles.
Offshore trips are seeing strong numbers of mahi while trolling ballyhoo and bailing fish from under floating debris. Some good-sized wahoo are coming in with the mahi. They’re hitting ballyhoo trolled both up top and behind planers. A few scattered blackfin tuna (up to 20 lbs.) are mixed in with the troll bite.
Bottom fishing has been producing grouper, large amberjacks, and black sea bass.
Inshore anglers have been finding spanish mackerel and bluefish schooled up in deeper channels inside the inlet.
Red drum are pushed up onto the flats and into the shallow bays, and they’re feeding best on live baits.
Speckled trout are being landed on soft plastics fished on jig heads and under popping corks near deeper grass banks.
Legal-sized flounder are staged up on ledges behind Ocracoke Island.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that bluefish have been plentiful around the inlet while trolling Clarkspoons and Bowed Up spoons. Spanish mackerel are mixed in with the blues outside the surf zone.
A few cobia are hanging around. They’re hitting large chunks of menhaden fished on the bottom. The occasional hard-fighting sharks are taking these same Carolina-rigged cut baits.
Speckled trout fishing has been hot for anglers fishing Z-Man soft plastics under popping cork rigs. The popular colors recently have been “fried chicken” and “root beer chartreuse.”
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that large king mackerel are being caught while pulling high speed lures.
Gaffer-sized mahi are hitting skirted ballyhoo. A few bailers are mixed in, and anglers spotting grass patties are finding some fish to hit light-lined cut baits.
Sailfish are taking the skirted baits fished in areas off the weed lines, and wahoo (in the 30 lb. range) are hitting baits fished behind a planer.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that mahi numbers have been great, with many trips finding close to limits while pulling skirted ballyhoo. Larger wahoo (up to 40 lbs.) are mixed in, and a couple of sailfish releases have been made.
King mackerel (and barracuda) are staged up near any areas of structure, and nearshore anglers are catching limits of spanish mackerel.
Jessie, of Carolina Girl Sportfishing, reports that mahi fishing has been hot, with limits of fish being caught on many trips while trolling ballyhoo. Keeping an eye out for floating grass patches and debris has been productive in locating bailer-sized fish.
Large wahoo are hitting skirted baits fished behind a planer.
Some big blue marlin and sailfish are coming into the spreads outside the current lines in deeper water.
Nearshore trips are catching good numbers of larger king mackerel (up to 30 lbs.) and citation-sized spanish mackerel when trolling near structure, ledges, and live bottoms.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that large pompano (up to 17”) are hitting sand fleas and smaller pieces of shrimp fished in deep holes just off the sand. A few croakers and sea mullet are mixed in with the pompano.
Red drum (up to 28”) are being caught on Carolina-rigged cut bait.
Spanish mackerel are falling for glass minnow jigs cast towards feeding schools, with early mornings being most productive.
