Northern Beaches – April 9th, 2015
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that surf fishing continues to improve for anglers on Hatteras Island, and sea mullet, black drum, bluefish, and pufferfish have joined in with the puppy drum that anglers have been hooking for months. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp are fooling most of the smaller fish, and anglers are hooking the pups on both baits and while working soft baits like Gulps. A few flounder have been joining in on the action along the south-facing beaches, and they also fall for soft plastics.
A few citation-class (40”+) red drum have also been caught and released recently around Cape Point, but it’s been closed to access as of April 7.
Harper Hull (age 4), of Elizabeth City, NC, with a striped bass that struck a swimbait.
Anglers have landed a few puppy drum north of Oregon Inlet in the past few weeks, and the bite on the northern beaches should improve as the water temperature climbs and spring progresses.
Not much has been happening inshore in the sounds, but anglers did land some surprising numbers of channel catfish while bottom fishing from the little bridge between Manteo and Nags Head this week. Both cut fish and shrimp have been attracting attention from the catfish.
Capts. Rich Baron and Aaron Aaron, of Tightline Charters, with one of 36 citation-class red drum they released while sight-casting bucktail jigs to schools of fish in the hook of Cape Hatteras.
Oregon Inlet has finally been re-opened (after the Coast Guard closed it for several weeks to vessels drawing over 2’ of water), and some of the first boats made it offshore early in the week. Yellowfin and bluefin tuna were providing the bulk of the action prior to the closure, and boats have reported action with both recently. Some dolphin have also begun to show up in the area, and more should be on the way as the spring wears on. The tunas and dolphin are both taking an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures.
Ayra, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that Oregon Inlet has been re-opened to vessels drawing less than 5’ of water, so the charter fleet is again able to get out and fish. Plenty of bluefin and yellowfin tuna were rewarding boats that made the run offshore prior to the closure, and the two boats that have been since have found the action continues (with several yellowfins and a 67” bluefin brought to the docks). A private boat also found a few dolphin early in the week, and anglers can expect the colorful fish to get more numerous leading up to the peak of their run in May. Trolling ballyhoo along with skirted lures like sea witches is the way to fool the tunas, dolphin, and other predators plying the blue water.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers continue to primarily see action with dogfish and skates while bottom fishing from the pier. Shrimp and cut baits will attract plenty of attention from both.
The water is 46 degrees.
