Hatteras – October 12, 2017
Blake, of Hatteras Jack, reports that fishing in the sound behind Rodanthe has produced some great action. Popping cork rigs with Gulp shrimp in new penny and pearl white have been the ticket. Speckled trout and puppy drum have been the main targets. Z-Man plastics in the color Green Lantern have also worked well. A few stripers have been in the mix, too.
Out in the surf zone, those fishing the bottom have hooked up with puppy drum, pompano, sea mullet, bluefish, flounder, and big red drum. Fresh cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and sand fleas have worked best.
Debbie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that several citation-sized red drum have been landed from the pier. Large pieces of fresh cut mullet have gotten the job done.
Bluefish, spot, pompano, flounder, and puppy drum have also been landed. Fresh shrimp has been the bait of choice.
Jimmy Engle, of Frostburg, MD, with a bull red that went for on cut mullet. He was fishing with Capt. Aaron Aaron of Tightline Charters.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that the surf has produced good numbers of puppy drum, bluefish, pompano, and flounder. A few citation-sized red drum have also been landed. Fresh cut mullet seems to be the ticket for getting them to bite.
Earl, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers fishing the bottom have landed puppy drum, speckled trout, spot, sea mullet, and bluefish. Fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and cut mullet have been the best baits.
Big red drum are also making an appearance in the surf. Fresh cut mullet is the key to hooking them.
Kelly, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf fishing has heated up, and anglers tossing cut bait and bloodworms have had the most success. Bluefish, flounder, blowfish, pompano, and sea mullet have all been landed in the suds.
On the sound side, the speckled trout bite has gotten hot. Those casting live shrimp and Gulp plastics under popping corks have found the most fish. A few puppy drum have been mixed in with the specs as well.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the inshore red drum bite remains steady. Anglers are having success catching plenty of slot fish around the marshes. Citation-sized red drum are also in the mix inshore. Fresh cut mullet has been the best way to hook the big reds.
Out in the surf zone, the red drum fishing has picked up. Good numbers of slot fish (with a few citations in the mix) have been landed up and down the island. Cut mullet has worked best in the suds.
Offshore, the wahoo bite has improved. Anglers have landed good numbers of fish in the 40-80 lb. range. A few dolphin and kings are also in the mix when trolling offshore.
Those dropping to the bottom with cut bait have boxed plenty of triggerfish.
Jordan Dike, of Raleigh, NC, with a 24” red drum that fell for a green/pearl Z-Man PaddlerZ.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that a few bull reds are still hanging around. Fresh cut mullet has worked best for the big red drum.
On the flats, the slot-sized puppy drum have been feeding well, and anglers casting gold spoons have had the best success.
Speckled trout have been feeding well in the marsh. Casting soft plastics has produced the most action with the specs.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that wahoo fishing remains solid offshore. The yellowfin tuna bite has picked up, as anglers have found good numbers of fish while trolling the blue water. The sailfish bite remains steady, and multiple releases per trip have not been uncommon.
A few dolphin have been in the mix, too.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that wahoo fishing has been hot. Anglers putting their time in have landed several citation-sized fish, and most trips have been able to fill the boxes with wahoo.
Dolphin numbers are still good. Anglers have found trolling rigged ballyhoo has been the best way to land tany mahi around.
Sailfish are still in the area. Multiple fish have been seen when wahoo fishing, and those targeting sailfish have had several releases.
Dropping to the bottom has produced good numbers of triggerfish on cut baits.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that the incoming tide in the surf has produced a good big drum bite. Casting out fresh cut mullet has worked best.
Fishing with fresh shrimp has produced good numbers of bluefish, flounder, and a few puppy drum.
In the sound, puppy drum have been willing to hit gold spoons worked over the flats. A few speckled trout and flounder have also been in the mix inshore.
The offshore wahoo bite has remained steady. Most boats are having success trolling medium and large rigged ballyhoo.
