Hatteras – October 9, 2014
Heidi Griffee, of New Bern, caught and released this 52″ red drum in the Pamlico Sound after it engulfed a chunk of mullet while she was fishing with Ben Ricks.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers are seeing plenty of action with red drum right now, both along the beachfront and back in the sound (and with fish ranging from puppies to 40”+). Most are falling for cut baits.
Sea mullet, pompano, and other panfish are biting shrimp and sand fleas in the surf.
Anglers working metal casting lures from the beachfront and pier are finding plenty of action with bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Flounder are on the move in the inlets where anglers can target them with soft baits like Gulps or live and strip baits fished on the bottom.
Speckled trout are beginning to move from the sound out to the beachfront, and anglers are starting to hook a few in the surf and inlets on MirrOlures and soft plastic baits.
Ervin, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that surf casters are hooking big numbers of bluefish and some puppy drum on bottom rigs baited with cut baits.
A 53” red drum was caught and released on the pier last week, and more of the big fish should be soon to follow. Pier anglers have also seen some spot runs recently.
Jason Henderson, of Flat Top Lake, WV, with an over-slot red drum that struck a chunk of bluefish in the Buxton surf.
Anglers fishing the sound are hooking some red drum and a few fat speckled trout on cut baits in the evening hours.
Frank, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action in the surf right now, with sea mullet, black drum, puppy drum, bluefish, and more biting shrimp and cut baits on bottom rigs.
Some citation-class reds have already been caught by surf and pier anglers this fall, and the next northerly winds will likely kick off some solid action with the big drum.
Bob, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet, pompano, bluefish, and black drum around Frisco. Shrimp and cut baits are fooling most of the fish.
Flounder are falling for soft plastic baits that anglers are working in the surf.
Anglers fishing the sound are still hooking big numbers of puppy and larger red drum, along with plenty of gray trout.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that the offshore fleet is connecting with wahoo and dolphin while trolling the blue water off Hatteras Inlet (with some wahoo 40+ lb. citations). Most are falling for ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures. A few sailfish are also in the mix and falling for boats’ baits.
Inshore, the excellent puppy drum fishing continues for anglers soaking bait and working artificials in the sound. Decent numbers of flounder are also finding their way onto hooks.
Trolling and casting around Hatteras Inlet is producing fast action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Surf casters are hooking good numbers of bluefish both on baits and metal casting lures.
Some sea mullet, pompano, spot, puppy drum, and other bottom feeders are taking an interest in shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits in the breakers.
Bubba and Sam Sanderson with 31 and 34 lb. king mackerel they hooked 18 miles off Cape Lookout on live menhaden. Weighed in at EJW Outdoors.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that anglers are seeing plenty of puppy drum action while fishing the sound with both baits and artificial lures like spoons and soft plastics. Some big drum are around as well, and anglers have been releasing some 40-50”+ fish along with the pups.
Speckled trout and bluefish are also feeding in the sound and falling for anglers’ offerings.
Surf casters have had to battle tough conditions over the past week, but some bluefish, sea mullet, puppy drum, flounder, and spot have been caught in recent days. Shrimp and cut baits are fooling most of the fish in the surf.
Offshore boats are hooking plenty of dolphin (along with some wahoo) while trolling ballyhoo in the blue water off the inlet.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing action with a variety of tasty fish including amberjacks, tilefish, and triggerfish.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers are still connecting with solid numbers of dolphin while trolling offshore of Hatteras Inlet. Decent numbers of wahoo are mixed in, and both are falling for naked and skirted ballyhoo. Some billfish are feeding in the same areas, and anglers have encountered sailfish and blue and white marlin over the past few weeks.
Bottom fishing is producing plenty of action with tilefish.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking citation-class red drum from the surf along Ocracoke’s beaches and while fishing the sound in boats. Most are falling for large cut baits. A cobia was also landed by a surf caster last week.
Offshore boats are hooking solid numbers of dolphin and wahoo.
