Northern Beaches – August 4, 2016
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that there has been a variety of fish caught by summertime surf fishermen, including catches of sea mullet, spot, and croaker north of the inlet. Anglers are connecting with flounder ranging from 6” to 18.5” from the surf in Nags Head. Target sloughs and holes using bucktails tipped with 4” Gulp mullets in white by bouncing them off the bottom.
The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway has had early morning trout, croakers, black drum, and puppy drum (the pups have generally been on the smaller side).
Other catches by inshore anglers include sea mullet, pufferfish, flounder, gray trout, black sea bass, and bluefish.
Nearshore vessels continue to catch bluefish and spanish mackerel by trolling around the inlet. They’re also finding albacore and a few citation red drum.
Offshore anglers have been reeling in wahoo that are weighing in from 40 lbs. to nearly 80 lbs. There has been a good number of blue marlin and white marlin releases, including an estimated 550 lb. fish.
Yellowfin and dolphin are plentiful, with some vessels catching their limits.
Jamie Brown, John Richter, Tom Richter, Wayne Tuttle, and Gray Jarrell with tuna and mahi they caught while fishing with Capt. Brian White of WaveRunner Charters.
Gabby, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that offshore boats are still catching yellowfin tuna, as well as skipjacks, blackfin tuna, and gaffer mahi. There are also a lot of wahoo, as well as tilefish, and anglers are starting to find the billfish on a regular basis, including white and blue marlin and sailfish.
Nearshore anglers are catching spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and bluefish, while inshore boats are reporting cobia, flounder, and spanish mackerel.
Maria, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that the fishing has been somewhat slow in recent days, but anglers are connecting with sand perch, spot, croaker, and sea mullet. There have also been reports of black sea bass, triggerfish, amberjacks, and a few bluefish.
Sheepshead have been spotted around the pilings.
A 48″, 41 lb. cobia was recently landed off the pier as well. It was caught on a bottom rig with cut bluefish in the mid-morning hours.
Brian, of WaveRunner Sportfishing Charters, reports that yellowfin tuna have been caught in large numbers (mostly on the kites), and the dolphin fishing has been steady.
Billfish fishing is also picking back up, with ample reports of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish.
Tim, of Nags Head Fishing Pier, reports that the fishing has been slow, but anglers are regularly reeling in spots, spadefish, and bluefish. There was also a large tarpon recently caught and released off the pier.
Tim, of Outer Banks Fishing Charters, reports that the speckled trout fishing is still really strong right inside the inlet, and anglers may find a few big reds around the same areas.
The bluefish and spanish mackerel fishing has been phenomenal all along the beaches from Rodanthe to Nags Head.
Nearshore, amberjack can be found on most wrecks, and offshore vessels are connecting with plenty of dolphin and tuna in the Gulf Stream.
Ed, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that fishing along the northern beaches has been slow in recent days with steady southwest winds and hot temperatures, but it should be picking up within the week when the wind switches to the east and brings along clear waters and a better bite.
Anglers all along the beaches have been catching sea mullet, spot, croaker, bluefish, speckled trout, and a few flounder. The flounder bite is expected to steadily pick up soon.
Spanish mackerel and pompano are starting to show up along the northern beaches, and vessels are catching their limits of bluefish and spanish mackerel, as well as a few king mackerel.
Nearshore anglers are also reporting a few surprises, including several mahi that have moved in closer to shore with the grass lines.
Amberjack are regularly being caught on the wrecks and towers, and anglers in the sound are reporting speckled trout and a solid amount of bottom fish.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that there have been large schools of bluefish and spanish mackerel all along the northern beaches that are being caught on spoons. The bottom fishing has also been good along the surf, with anglers catching sea mullet, croaker, and spot on Fishbites and bloodworms. When the water has been clear, there’s also been good flounder fishing for anglers using Gulps on jigheads.
Nearshore, anglers have been catching spanish mackerel and blues, as well as small sharks and red drum. Large amberjack have been reeled in off the wrecks, and there have been some surprising mahi catches closer to shore.
