Northern Beaches August 8, 2013
Aaron Hasicoglu, of Lancaster, PA, with a 7′ sand tiger shark that bit a tuna head in the surf off Duck. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some healthy sea mullet, spot, croaker, and other bottom feeders while casting bottom rigs into the local surf. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action.
Pier anglers are catching much of the same, along with some spanish mackerel.
The bottom fish are also feeding inshore around Oregon Inlet and the little bridge on the causeway.
There’s a decent speckled trout bite around the little bridge as well, primarily for anglers casting soft baits like Gulps.
Sheepshead are feeding around the Oregon Inlet bridge and other hard structure in the sound. They’ll bite sand fleas or other crustaceans dangled near the pilings.
Nearshore boats are reporting solid catches of spanish mackerel and bluefish while trolling Clarkspoons around Oregon Inlet and along the beachfront.
Some cobia are still in the vicinity and taking an interest in lures and baits.
Luke (age 3), of NJ, with a speckled trout he hooked on a Gulp swimming mullet while fishign Kitty hawk Bay with Rob Alderman of Outer Banks Kayak Fishing.
Offshore, trollers are connecting with decent numbers of yellowfin tuna (with a handful of big fish) and some dolphin. Some bigeye tuna (a few exceeding 200 lbs.) are also falling for the ballyhoo and skirted lures that boats are pulling. The billfish bite is turning on as well, and the local fleet tallied plenty of sailfish and blue and white marlin releases over the past week.
Ashley, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers are connecting with plenty of yellowfin tuna while trolling off Oregon Inlet (and many are 30-60+ lbs.). Some bigeye tuna (100-200+ lbs.) are also in the mix and taking an interest in boats trolling spreads. A decent number of dolphin are making their way into the fish boxes, and the fleet has released solid numbers of blue and white marlin and sailfish over the past week.
Bottom fishing around the nearshore wrecks and towers is producing plenty of action with triggerfish and amberjacks.
Flounder and speckled trout are feeding around Oregon Inlet, where smaller boats are tempting them to bite soft plastics and live baits.
A few cobia are still cruising around the inlet and along the beachfront as well, and they’ll often bite live baits or bucktail jigs when boats spot them.
Alex Foster with a 9.79 lb. sheepshead he hooked near the pilings of the Bonner Bridge. Weighed in at Hatteras Jack.
Trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures around the inlet is producing some bluefish and spanish mackerel action.
Rob, of Strike ‘Em Sportfishing, reports that the yellowfin tuna bite is still going strong off Oregon Inlet, and plenty of gaffer dolphin remain in the area as well. Both are taking an interest in skirted trolling lures and rigged ballyhoo. The billfish bite is heating up, and boats have released solid numbers of blue and white marlin and sailfish over the past week.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that anglers are seeing a solid class of yellowfin tuna (many 60-70 lbs.) feeding east of Oregon Inlet right now. Some gaffer dolphin are still in the mix as well. Anglers are also releasing good numbers of sailfish and blue marlin while trolling the same waters. All the blue water predators are taking an interest in naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are hooking triggerfish, black sea bass, croaker, sea mullet, bluefish, and spot while bottom fishing with shrimp, squid, and bloodworms.
Some flounder are falling for the bottom rigs and small live and strip baits under the pier.
Anglers are also hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working casting lures like Gotcha plugs when the water’s clean.
