Hatteras September 29, 2011
Mark Douglas, of Richmond, VA, with a citation 40" red drum he caught and released in the Ocracoke surf. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Tackle.
Frank, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are starting to see the fall red drum bite turn on, and it should get better with the passage of the coming cold front. Several citation-class fish have been landed from the northern piers, and anglers around Avon are starting to see some puppy and yearling drum in the surf as well. Cut baits and finger mullet are fooling the majority of the reds.
Progress continues on repairing Hurricane Irene’s breaches to Hwy. 12, and the state is estimating that visitors may again be allowed to drive down to Hatteras Island during the first or second week of October. Meanwhile, crews are working 24 hours a day to get the road passable as soon as possible.
Kristie, of Red Drum Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing a solid bluefish bite up and down the Hatteras Island beaches.
A 43” red drum was caught and released at Cape Point last week, and anglers have been seeing decent numbers of yearling and puppy drum around the point. Finger mullet and cut baits are the way to go for the reds.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some pompano and pufferfish while baiting up with shrimp along the southern beaches.
Some spanish mackerel have been feeding north and south of Cape Point, and anglers are finding a few in the mornings while working metal jigs from the shoreline.
Claude, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf casters are hooking up with some puppy drum, bluefish, and flounder on cut baits and finger mullet along the island’s beachfront.
Some sea mullet and a few pompano are falling for shrimp and other baits on high-low bottom rigs.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are starting to see a red drum bite at Cape Point, and it should only improve as the fall cold fronts move through.
Plenty of bluefish are also feeding around the point. Finger mullet are numerous in the surf, and they’ve been the most productive baits for the reds and blues lately.
Some pompano, black drum, and flounder have also been rewarding surf casters on the southern beaches.
Inshore, the speckled trout and puppy drum bite has been good in thePamlico Soundover the past week.
Offshore boats are reporting some excellent action with blackfin tuna, and decent numbers of yellowfins and wahoo (as well as some sailfish) have been around lately. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are fooling the blue water predators.
Anthony Foster, of Mebane, NC, landed this 70 lb. citation wahoo while trolling the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet on the "Runaway" with Capt. Jay Daniels. Photo courtesy fo JAM at Teach's Lair Marina.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that surf casters are hooking decent numbers of bluefish, some keeper flounder, pompano, and a few puppy drum in the Ocracoke surf.
Bottom rigs baited with shrimp, cut baits, and finger mullet are fooling most of the fish in the breakers.
The island has been receiving a deluge of rain over the past week, so not many people have been trying to fish inshore.
Offshore, boats are reporting some wahoo, dolphin, and blackfin and yellowfin tuna while trolling ballyhoo in theGulf Stream.
Bottom fishing on the offshore wrecks is producing some action with triggerfish.
