Hatteras – September 15, 2016
Mike, of Hatteras Jack, reports that anglers have been catching a lot of puppy drum in the surf. Most are using shrimp and cut mullet to reel them in, but soft plastics have been working well for the puppy drum, too. There have also been a number of good-sized trout caught along the beaches, including several in the 24” and even 26” range, and the bluefish have been thick along the surf as well.
In the sound, there have been a few citation drum catches in recent days, and a lot of flounder are around. Most sound anglers are reeling in keeper-sizes across the board, with only a few undersized fish reported.
On the south end of the bridge, the water has been muddy from the passing storm, but when it clears up, expect the bluefish and drum bite to pick up in Oregon Inlet and around the Bonner Bridge.
Rocco Saienni, of Wanchese, with a 42 lb. dolphin caught fishing out of Teachs Lair Marina.
Tammy, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that a lot of small puppy drum have been caught along the beaches, as well as small blues. There’s also a wide array of small bottom fish including spot, croaker, sea mullet, and pompano.
The ocean waters have been a little too dirty for spanish mackerel in the past few days, due to the recent storm, but it should pick back up soon.
Cameron, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers have been catching a lot of red drum and bluefish from Buxton all the way to Hatteras Inlet. There have also been scattered sea mullet as well as an occasional flounder catch. Fresh finger mullet has been doing the best for all species along the beach.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that the wahoo catch is about as good as it gets, and offshore fishermen are also regularly catching scattered dolphin as well as a few sailfish.
Inshore boats are catching drum of all sizes, cobia, both gray and speckled trout, and a decent number of bluefish.
Puppy drum have also made an appearance along the beaches on the oceanside due to the freshwater influx from the storm, and there have also been a lot of bluefish and a few sea mullet catches along the beach as well.
(Editor’s note: In the last issue JAM was incorrectly quoted as saying there were blue marlin catches—the report should have read white marlin catches.)
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that there have been steady dolphin catches, as well as a lot of billfish action, which includes quite a few white marlin and sailfish.
Earl, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers on the pier have been catching a lot of puppy drum (many undersized), which includes roughly 100 reportedly caught on a single recent day. There have also been a couple big drum catches, as well as reports of sea mullet, pompano, croakers, and black drum.
Anglers are having the best luck for the puppy drum with sand fleas, but bloodworms and shrimp are both working well, too.
Leslie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers on the pier have been catching a little bit of everything, including sea mullet, flounder, bluefish, sharks, perch, drum, spot, and a few sheepshead. Several of the recent flounder catches have been fairly hefty and in the 5 lb. range, but it’s been all about variety for anglers across the board.
With an upcoming wind change to the northeast, clear water should return to the area, and the spanish mackerel will hopefully make another appearance.
Alan, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers along the Ocracoke Island beaches are reeling in a wide range of species, including small (but good eating sized) bluefish, short puppy drum (or juveniles) in the 13-17” range, a few puppy drum in 24-26” range, and then a few more puppy drum over the slot in the 30-32” range. Surf fishermen are also reeling in sea mullet, pompano, black drum, and a couple of short founder.
In the sound, there have also been plenty of drum caught—including both puppy drum and big drum—and anglers are also catching speckled trout as well. A few flounder are also still hanging around in the Pamlico Sound waters.
Offshore, the wahoo fishing has been phenomenal and has been the highlight for most offshore fishermen, although there have been a variety of offshore species landed as well.
