Hatteras/Ocracoke – July 19, 2018
Eric, of Hatteras Jack, reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding well within casting distance of shore for anglers throwing glass minnow jigs. Cut baits have worked better for the blues when the water is churned up.
Better numbers of legal-sized (to 21”) flounder are being caught in the drop-offs on the shoreline.
Sea mullet are being landed in good numbers by anglers fishing bloodworms and sand fleas.
Pompano are biting well, even with the push of dirty water. They’re feeding on sand fleas.
Some large sheepshead are being found around the pilings of Bonner Bridge and channel markers in the sound.
Ken, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that large schools of bluefish have been biting at the end of the pier. Anglers throwing Gotcha plugs are catching a majority of the fish.
Sea mullet and croakers are biting shrimp fished on bottom rigs.
Flounder are being caught closer towards the breakers on bottom rigs.
Mark Scanlon, of West Chester, PA, grabbing hold of the 12′ blue marlin he caught on a skirted ballyhoo near the 280 Rocks offshore of Hatteras. The fish was safely released.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that bluefish have been actively biting in the Rodanthe area. Cut baits and glass minnow jigs are both working great depending on conditions.
Sea mullet reports are strong from the same area, with most fish biting shrimp.
Avon and Hatteras beach anglers have been focused on all the good-sized bluefish in the area. As the water cleans up from the passing storm, they look forward to seeing the spanish mackerel move back in.
Pompano and flounder are still in tight to the shore, and cleaner water will help in catch ratios.
Earl, of Avon Pier, reports that bottom fishing is very good for sea mullet and spots. Both species are feeding on sand fleas and shrimp.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are being caught farther down the pier by anglers using Gotcha plugs.
Flounder are also being landed in good numbers.
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports that pompano are still in the area, and better numbers are being reported with the cleaner water.
Large schools of bluefish have been on the beaches. They’re feeding well on cut baits, and casting spoons will work when they’re on the surface.
Flounder are being caught on bottom rigs and artificial soft plastics in the shore break.
A few puppy drum have been landed on Carolina-rigged cut mullet.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that dolphin have been biting around weed lines offshore. A majority of the fish are gaffers, as less numbers of bailers have been caught since the storm.
The billfish bite has been good with blue and white marlin releases.
Some blackfin tuna are still being caught around the temperature breaks on skirted ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing has produced some large groupers and black bass recently on cut baits.
The storm kept some of the smaller boats at dock, but bluefish and spanish mackerel fishing has been awesome, with tons of fish schooled up around the bait balls.
Citation red drum are being caught fairly consistently around the inlet. Fish to 47” are being reported on large Carolina-rigged cut baits.
Brenna Cain, of Raleigh, with a 2.91 lb. citation pompano caught in the Oak Island surf on fresh shrimp.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that bottom fishing in the inlet has produced some large citation red drum as they push in with the bait.
Legal founder and slot-sized drum are feeding on flats and drop-offs in the sound.
Bluefish and ribbonfish are still being caught in large numbers for the nearshore boats.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that dolphin fishing has been great, with a good number of gaffer fish being caught on daily trips.
Blackfin tuna are hitting skirted ballyhoo in the Gulf Stream.
Sailfish have been biting well, with some trips catching three or more fish. White marlin and some big blue marlin are also being reported offshore.
Bill, of Predator Sportfishing, reports that mahi fishing is still in full swing for summer, with good numbers of bailers and gaffers being caught. Some fish were being caught in very close to shore until the water got churned up, but steady weather should return those conditions.
Some blackfin tuna and wahoo are hitting skirted baits.
Bottom fishing continues to be great for anglers making a drop at wrecks and live bottoms in the area. Both tiles and large black sea bass have made a good showing back at the dock.
Jessie, of Carolina Girl Sportfishing, reports that mahi fishing for both bailer and gaffer-sized fish has been great on recent trips. The storm scattered the weed lines some, but the steady weather should push it back together in no time.
Blackfin tuna are hitting some of the skirted ballyhoo, as well as a few larger wahoo.
Billfishing has been awesome, with a big blue marlin and white marlin being caught at the break in the Stream.
Staying closer in has produced large numbers of ribbonfish and a few king mackerel.
Tilefish are still biting well at local live bottoms on cut bait.
Ken, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers bottom fishing have continued to do well with the dirty water. Sea mullet and croakers are feeding best, and they’re chewing on shrimp in the surf zone.
Pompano were biting very well up until the storm, but clean water should bring back those numbers.
Bluefish are hitting cut baits and glass minnow jigs fished just past the first sandbar.
Flounder are being caught in good numbers, with quite a few legal-sized fish being reported.
