Hatteras/Ocracoke – August 2022
Fran, of Hatteras Jack, reports that soundside anglers have been catching a ton of speckled trout and some good-sized puppy drum while fishing popping corks rigged with Gulp shrimp, and those fishing near structure have been landing larger sheepshead.
Surf anglers are seeing spanish mackerel starting to move back in, alongside bluefish, as weather patterns stabilize.
Bottom fishing in the suds is producing sea mullet, pompano, and puppy drum.
Eric Bregman landed this 4.5 lb. speckled trout on cut mullet while fishing in the Pamlico Sound.
Jim, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers are finding success with a variety of bottom fish species while rigging with fresh shrimp or sand fleas.
Some sharks are also around for those fishing fresh cut bait.
Heather, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that bottom fishing in the surf has been producing croakers, scattered puppy drum, and a few pompano (especially around Ramp 55). Plenty of small sharks are also included in the surf fishing action.
Schools of bluefish and spanish mackerel are at times moving within casting distance of the beach. Anglers are having success throwing metal jigs at these surface-feeding fish.
Some good-sized red drum are being caught with fresh mullet on bottom rigs. Anglers are finding the best action to be both early mornings and around sunset. If out during the day, anglers are generating strikes while fishing soft plastics under popping cork setups on the area’s flats.
A few larger speckled trout are also being found by the same tactics used for reds, and bluefish are schooled up throughout the sound.
Keith, of Avon Pier, reports that bottom fishing has provided most of the action, with a decent sea mullet bite alongside good numbers of croakers. A few scattered puppy drum (to 27”) are also in the mix.
Some anglers have also landed some blacktip sharks (to 68”).
Bryan, of Hatteras Style Custom Rods & Tackle, reports that bottom fishing is the go-to tactic during these hot, mid-summer stretches. Anglers are finding scattered sea mullet and puppy drum while working the area’s beaches.
The bite is starting to include some good-sized pompano, though fronts dirty up the water and stall their appearance. When conditions are clean, the bite returns.
Plenty of blacktip and spinner sharks are included in the surf fishing action.
Anglers fishing out in the sound have been catching good-sized sheepshead around structure and a few big drum while bottom fishing further out.
Victoria, of Teach’s Lair, reports that offshore anglers have been catching nice-sized wahoo, as well as scattered blackfin tuna and some good dolphin.
Some boats are returning with release flags flying for blue marlin and other billfish.
Inshore trips have been finding consistent red drum and speckled trout action while working flats around the inlet. A few good-sized flounder (released) have been mixed in, and sheepshead and a couple black drum are being caught by anglers bottom fishing around hard bottoms and structure.
Deeper channels near the inlet are holding schools of bluefish, and (at times) spanish mackerel.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that red drum fishing has really picked up. Anglers are having a lot of success while sight casting gold-colored spoons and spinnerbaits out on the flats.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish action has been great for anglers doing some trolling around the inlet or casting Stingsilver jigs to surface-feeding frenzies.
Speckled trout fishing has been strong and should remain strong moving into the later parts of summer. Anglers fishing Z-Man paddle tail soft plastics in the darker color patterns have been producing most of the action.
Brian Whitehurst, of Kill Devil Hills, hooked this yellowfin tuna in 450′ of water. He was fishing out of Oregon Inlet with Capt. John Berquist of Drumbeat Charters.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers are starting to see better numbers of billfish, including a few nice sailfish, mixed in the offshore action.
On some days anglers are also catching a mess of blackfin tuna, and scattered gaffer and bailer-sized dolphin (along with large wahoo) are filling out the daily catches.
Jeremy, of Calypso Sportfishing, reports that billfish action has picked up a lot in the past month, with some releases of marlin and some bonus sailfish.
Good-sized wahoo have been mixed in, and their presence now is a great sign moving into fall.
Dolphin fishing has been plenty successful, with some trips finding good catches of gaffer-sized fish caught while trolling both naked or skirted ballyhoo.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf anglers are finding a good sea mullet bite, along with scattered puppy drum, while bottom fishing.
Some bluefish are in the mix, and they’re being caught with both baits and metal jigs.
During periods of clear water between fronts, spanish mackerel move in close, and pompano are being caught up against the surf line.
Fishing in the sound has been good, with larger bluefish, speckled trout, and black drum.
Pompano are also being caught inshore (during periods of cleaner water).
Offshore anglers had a tough time catching weather windows to get out, though there has been a good wahoo bite when they are able to make the run. Also included in the offshore action are scattered dolphin, good numbers of billfish, and some excellent bottom fishing.
Anglers working closer to the beaches are still finding a few cobia cruising around.
