Hatteras – October 13, 2016
Mike, of Hatteras Jack, reports that prior to the storm the soundside fishing had been really good, with mainly trout being caught in the Pamlico Sound waters. Anglers were having the best luck throwing soft plastics, like paddletails, on popping corks, or just on their own. Soundside fishermen were also catching drum at night by throwing out chunks of bait.
Near the inlet, anglers were catching flounder, as well as drum and bluefish, in the days leading up to the storm.
Along the beaches, there were runs of red drum and bluefish, especially off the local fishing piers.
Post-Hurricane Matthew, the surf has been ripping north to south really hard, so casting off the beach will be difficult. The water is starting to clear up slowly.
Soundside, those looking to hook an opportunistic fish, like a trout, should work darker, scented soft plastics, like Gulp, or try chunking baits.
The low pressure system should be pushing the fish into the ocean, so the inlet may be another place for anglers to try their hand after this storm.
Warren Forbes, of Hamilton, with a 56 lb. wahoo. The fish fell for an Eye Catcher Supreme Witch a few miles north of Rock Pile.
Debbie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that prior to the hurricane, anglers had caught a nice batch of bluefish and spanish mackerel. The pier also had a late season 60 lb. king mackerel reported.
The pier is open, sustaining little damage from the storm, and anglers have been catching puppy drum off the end of the planks.
Jake Worthington with a jack crevelle caught (and released) on live bait from Avalon Pier.
Randy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that prior to the storm anglers all along the Hatteras Island beaches had been catching a lot of bluefish and puppy drum, and there had also been a couple of big drum catches off the seashore as well.
Anglers also caught black drum along the beaches, along with hooking speckled trout in the sound. Shrimp and mullet are the go-to baits at the moment, as they mimic the bait currently in the waters and will catch a variety of fish.
The crew of the Bite Me with their catch of yellowfin and blackfin tuna. They were fishing southeast of the tower with Capt. Jay Kavanagh.
Earl, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers were regularly catching a lot of spots, sea mullet, and pompano the week before Hurricane Matthew. A few larger drum, as well as a number under-slot puppy drum, had also been recently caught.
The NPS has cleared the pier after the storm, and Avon Pier has reopened to the public.
Beverly, of Frisco Tackle, reports anglers were catching lots of puppy drum and trout in the Pamlico Sound before the arrival of the hurricane. Bluefish, sea mullet, and a few pompano had been reported along the beaches, too. Anglers seemed to have had the best luck using shrimp and cut mullet for bait.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that offshore fishing has been suspended in recent days due to the storm and weather conditions.
Teach’s Lair survived the storm, with water coming right up to the front door. The roads are intact, but only homeowners are currently being allowed back in the area.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that prior to the storm inshore anglers reeled in plenty of good-sized drum, as well as speckled trout and scattered big bluefish.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that prior to the storm boats had been connecting offshore with quite a few tuna. The majority of the tunas were yellowfin, but anglers had also hooked blackfins.
Hatteras Harbor Marina weathered the storm with minimal damage, and the fleet should be back up and running by the end of the week.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that prior to Hurricane Matthew anglers had caught a number of red drum, from 23-30”, all along the Ocracoke Island beaches.
