Hatteras/Ocracoke – November 15, 2018
Hugh, of Hatteras Jack, reports that the sea mullet bite has been very good. Strong numbers of fish are being caught on bottom rigs and shrimp, and anglers have been producing quite a few citations.
Red drum are being hooked from the surf, but the action has been either on or off depending on the day. The bite has seemed better on days with winds from the northeast. Carolina-rigged cut baits have worked well for both the puppy drum and over-slot fish.
A few legal flounder have been landed by anglers fishing bottom rigs.
The bluefish bite has been strong throughout the day. Early morning anglers have been targeting the schools with casting jigs, and as the day wears on, cut baits have kept the fish hitting the sand.
Speckled trout are a commonly targeted species this time of year, and the run hasn’t disappointed anglers targeting the beach. A good number of the fish are smaller spikes that, of course, have been 13-13.5”. Z-Man and Gulp soft plastics fished on 1/4 oz. jig heads have been the go-to set-up.
Joe, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bluefish have been biting well for anglers getting out on the pier on days where the wind will allow. Both Carolina-rigged cut baits and Stingsilver casting jigs are generating action.
Sea mullet have been caught in very good numbers with shrimp.
A few over-slot drum have been landed off the end by anglers fishing large cut baits and spot heads on Carolina rigs.
Puppy drum have been closer in to the shoreline, with a variety of baits fished on the bottom producing hookups.
Kendra Parrish showing off one of the drum she caught while soaking mullet on chunk rigs. This was one of three she landed on the south point of Ocracoke.
Randy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that citation-sized mullet has been the hot action. These fish are being caught in the deeper sloughs with shrimp, sand fleas, and Fishbites artificial sand flea strips.
Bluefish have been in good numbers from the shoreline out past the first sandbars. They’ve been feeding on everything from shrimp and mullet on bottom rigs to casting jigs.
Puppy drum have been scattered in the surf, but cut baits have been the best for catching a few fish.
Some citation drum were hooked out at the point.
Frank, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers at the end have caught a few citation drum on large Carolina-rigged baits. The bites have seem to come primarily during the early morning hours.
Large (1+ lb.) sea mullet have been landed in good numbers using cut shrimp.
There has been a scattered spot bite on cut shrimp.
Some small gray trout and barely-short speckled trout are being hooked on bottom rigs.
Terry, of Teach’s Lair, reports that 30+ mph northeast winds have kept quite a few boats at the dock, but there is still action at the Stream when they get out there.
Recent trips have seen some huge wahoo (to 70 lbs.) taking skirted baits on planer rods.
Blackfin tuna have been hitting the rigged baits as well, with boats seeing close to double digit numbers of fish on just about every trip.
There are reports of king mackerel nearshore coming from the commercial captains.
Anglers in the inlet can catch citation reds when they fish cut baits on the drop-offs and channels.
Surf anglers fishing cut baits and shrimp are catching puppy drum, sea mullet, and bluefish.
Joey, of Fingeance Sportfishing, reports that red drum have been biting very well inshore, with bottom fishing around the inlets providing some over-slot fish. Up on the flats, the puppy drum have been plentiful.
Still quite a few spike trout are being caught inshore, with some legal-sized fish mixed in.
Nearshore trips have found both bluefish and spanish mackerel schooled up well just off the beach. Casting jigs have been working great when cast through the feeding fish.
Blake O’Sullivan with a flounder that hit a Gulp Emerald Shiner in the surf at Rodanthe.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that offshore anglers are finding some good-sized wahoo to come home with them, and a few larger sailfish have been released as well.
There has been a strong showing of “fat” blackfin tuna and even a few stray dolphin to finish out the counts.
Bill, of Predator Sportfishing, reports that wahoo in the 50 lb. range are being caught around the temperature breaks, with most of the bites coming off the planer rods.
Blackfin and a few scattered yellowfin are being found in the same areas.
Bottom fishing is producing good numbers of triggerfish.
Jessie, of Carolina Girl Sportfishing, reports that anglers are finding some great wahoo fishing when they get offshore.
A good number of blackfin tuna are also around and make a tasty addition to the coolers.
Closer in, there are reports of king mackerel, but murky water has the king bite scattered.
Jimmy, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that red drum in a variety of sizes have been hitting well at night. Carolina-rigged cut mullet are getting bit by puppy drum in sizes ranging from lower-slot to 30”+ over-slots.
The smaller bluefish have shown in huge numbers all over the beaches. Smaller cut baits have worked well for catching numbers, but the majority of the larger fish have been caught early and late in the day by casting jigs into feeding schools.
A number of good-sized mullets are being reported by anglers fishing shrimp on the bottom.
A few black drum and sheepshead have been mixed in with the sea mullet.
Nearshore boats have been finding some king mackerel nearshore, as well as citation drum in the inlets.
Offshore reports are a mix of wahoo and blackfin tuna.
