Northern Beaches July 12, 2012
John Basinger with a 50 lb., 49" cobia that bit a live spot on a pin-rig off Outer Banks Pier.
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers have landed several cobia from the local piers while live-baiting over the past week, along with scattered chopper bluefish.
Bottom fishing from the piers and surf is producing some bluefish, spadefish, spot, croaker, and other species.
Some keeper trout are feeding along the beachfront, where they’ll take a variety of smaller lures, especially in the early mornings.
Boaters are also seeing plenty of cobia around Oregon Inlet and just off the beachfront, and they’re hooking them on bucktail jigs and other baits and lures.
Trolling small, flashy lures in the same area is producing plenty of action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
The offshore fleet reports steady fishing continues for dolphin and yellowfin tuna, with good numbers of blue and white marlin and sailfish releases also in the mix.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that, though the grasslines and good water are there, dolphin fishing has slowed a bit recently, with boats still catching fish, but not the hot-and-heavy action of a few weeks ago.
The yellowfin tuna bite is still decent around the Tuna Hole and other points north of the dolphin grounds.
The billfish bite is improving steadily, with good numbers of white marlin and sailfish sightings and hookups in recent days, along with the occasional blue marlin encounter.
All the blue water gamefish are taking an interest in naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Bill, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that there are still good numbers of dolphin feeding offshore of the area, with a surprising number of big gaffers still in the mix. Scattered wahoo are mixed in with the dolphin.
The yellowfin tuna bite remains solid as well, with a few blackfins mixed in.
Billfish are rounding out the blue water action for local boats, with plenty of citations for blue and white marlin and sailfish releases over the past week.
All the blue water predators are taking an interest in naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Offshore bottom fishing is producing plenty of action with tilefish, black sea bass, triggerfish, and more.
Anglers bottom fishing closer to the beaches and around Oregon Inlet are reporting more triggerfish, sea bass, flounder, and other tasty bottom dwellers.
Joe Patton with an 8.75 lb. citation sheepshead he hooked from the catwalk at the Bonner Bridge on a sand flea. Weighed in at TW's Tackle.
Trolling small spoons in and just off the inlet is producing fast action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Groups of cobia and big drum are cruising just off the beaches, and boaters are hooking both while casting bucktail jigs and live baits at fish they spot on the surface.
Inshore, boaters casting soft plastics and other small lures in the sound are reporting excellent speckled trout action.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with a mixed bag of spot, croaker, pigfish, sea mullet, spadefish, sea robin, and more. Shrimp, squid, and bloodworms on double-hook rigs are fooling all the bottom feeders.
Some keeper flounder and speckled trout have also come over the rails lately.
Some bluefish and spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and other small metal lures worked quickly from the pier.
Live baiters have hooked and landed cobia and a barracuda over the past week.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that surf casters on the northern beaches are hooking good numbers of sea mullet, croaker, spot, and other bottom feeders on double-hook rigs baited with shrimp, bloodworms, and squid.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are chasing bait just off the beaches and coming into range of surf casters many days. Small metal casting jigs are fooling both.
Some kayakers have been hooking cobia just off the beaches while fishing live baits on balloon rigs.
Trolling Clarkspoons around Oregon Inlet and to the south is producing plenty of action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Offshore charters are still seeing plenty of dolphin and some billfish action, with scattered yellowfin tuna and wahoo in the mix. All are taking an interest in skirted and naked ballyhoo.
