Hatteras – October 26, 2017
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf fishing has heated up, and anglers are landing a variety of fish. Red drum, bluefish, flounder, and sea mullet have all provided plenty of action in the suds. A mix of cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and bloodworms have worked best.
In the sound, the speckled trout bite has picked up. Popping corks rigged with Gulp shrimp (new penny) have been the key to landing the trout, and good numbers of red drum have been mixed in.
Striper season has come in, and anglers fishing in the sound have found plenty of fish. Those tossing popping corks with pearl white Gulp shrimp have had the most successful.
Out at the inlet, the flounder fishing has been solid. Anglers dropping live finger mullet to the bottom have hooked the most fish. A few sheepshead have also been landed, with live shrimp and sand fleas working best.
Debbie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have landed plenty of slot-sized puppy drum on cut mullet. Anglers have also found a mix of bluefish, sheepshead, sea mullet, and keeper flounder. Fresh shrimp, cut bait, and sand fleas have been the baits of choice.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf fishing has produced good numbers of keeper flounder. Slot-sized puppy drum and bluefish (around the 18” mark) have also been landed when using cut bait. Some quality sea mullet (pushing the 1.5 lb. mark) have been caught while using fresh shrimp and sand fleas.
In the sound, the flounder fishing has picked up. Anglers fishing with live finger mullet and mud minnows have landed limits of flatfish in the 15-18” range.
Duke Emerson with a 23” redfish that fell for cut mullet while surf fishing Cape Point.
Earl, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers bottom fishing have landed sea mullet, spot, and bluefish. Fresh shrimp and bloodworms have been the top baits.
A mix of puppy drum and big drum have also been present in the surf zone. Anglers fishing with fresh cut mullet have had the most success.
Teri, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers hitting the surf have found good numbers of puppy drum and a few big drum. Most fish have fallen for fresh cut mullet.
Strong numbers of bluefish have also been landed in the suds.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair, reports that the wahoo bite has rebounded, and anglers have hooked good numbers of fish. A few fish landed have been in the 60-70 lb. range.
Those dropping to the bottom offshore have found exceptional triggerfish numbers. Anglers have been able to fill the coolers with ease.
The king bite has also heated up. Good numbers of fish in the 30-40 lb. range have been landed.
Inshore, the speckled trout fishing continues to improve. Most fish have been in the 2-3 lb. range, but a few fish have pushed the 5 lb. mark.
Plenty of puppy drum action has been had inshore as well. Cut bait and soft plastics have both gotten the job done.
Aaron, of Tightline Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite has heated up in the sound. Z-Man plastics rigged on jig heads (in colors Fried Chicken and Root Beer) have been the top producing baits.
Red drum are also feeding well in the shallows. Anglers working gold spoons over the flats have found good numbers of slot and over-slot fish.
A few flounder have been landed while trout and drum fishing.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the offshore wahoo bite had provided the best action for anglers. Trolling skirted ballyhoo has been the best way to draw strikes. When trolling offshore, anglers have also found good numbers of blackfin tuna and mahi.
Closer to the beach, the king bite has been steady. Trolling live baits and dead cigar minnows have done the trick. Lots of false albacore have also been in the mix.
Bill, of Predator Sport Fishing, reports that the wahoo bite continues to stay hot. Some citation-sized fish have been in the mix.
Those looking for billfish have found a few marlin and sailfish still hanging around.
The king bite has started to pick up, and anglers have found plenty of action trolling.
Jimmy, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing has produced a mix of slot-sized red drum, as well as drum in the 30-40” range. Fresh cut mullet has worked best.
Those fishing the bottom with fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms have found a variety of species. Bluefish, flounder, sea mullet, and black drum have all been landed.
In the sound, the red and black drum bite has been steady. Fresh and live shrimp have worked best.
Around the inlet, the big drum bite has picked up.
Those venturing offshore have found a good wahoo bite on rigged ballyhoo. A few blackfin tuna have also been in the mix.
Anglers dropping to the bottom have found strong numbers of triggerfish willing to eat.
