Northern Beaches July 18, 2013
Devin Walsh (age 7), of Maryland, with his first red drum, hooked on a Gulp swimming mullet while he was fishing near Bodie Island with Rob Alderman of Outer Banks Kayak Fishing.
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that surf casters along the northern beaches are hooking primarily spot, croaker, sea mullet, and other bottomfish. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing much of the action. Some large sharks are also in the area and will bite cut baits in the surf.
Anglers are still catching big numbers of speckled trout while working soft plastics and other artificials from the little bridge on the causeway (though many are now throwbacks). Bottom fishing in the same area is producing spot, croaker, and small flounder.
Boaters throughout the sound are finding plenty of action with speckled trout and puppy drum on soft plastics and live baits.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still feeding along the beachfront and just offshore. Boaters are hooking big numbers while trolling Clarkspoons and flashy metal lures.
There are still cobia around Oregon Inlet, and boats are hooking a few while sight-casting to fish they spot cruising on the surface.
Boaters are also connecting with flounder around Oregon Inlet.
The offshore fleet continues to hook solid numbers of dolphin and yellowfin tuna, along with some wahoo and bigeye tunas. Billfish are feeding in the same areas, and decent numbers of marlin and sailfish releases have been tallied up recently. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are doing the majority of the damage on the offshore gamefish.
Ashley, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers are connecting with big hauls of gaffer and bailer dolphin while trolling offshore of the inlet. Many are also hooking the bailers on lighter tackle when the schools surround the boat.
There are still good numbers of yellowfin tuna and a few bigeyes in the mix, and boats are also putting some marlin and sailfish releases on the board.
Cobia are still feeding around Oregon Inlet, where boats are sight-casting to fish they spot on the surface.
Rhett Estep (age 11), of OH, with a 37″, 27 lb. cobia he hooked from Rodanthe Pier.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are chasing bait in the same areas as the cobia, and they’re pouncing on trolled Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
Bottom fishing at structure like wrecks just off the beaches is producing good catches of triggerfish.
Inside the inlet, there’s still a solid speckled trout and puppy drum bite going on in the sounds.
Rob, of Strike ‘Em Sportfishing, reports that the yellowfin tuna and dolphin bite is still going offshore of Oregon Inlet, with solid catches of both finding their way into the fish box.
Some bigeye tuna and billfish are also feeding offshore and taking an interest in the skirted and naked ballyhoo that boats are trolling.
Closer to the beaches, amberjacks are feeding around the offshore towers. Live baits like bluefish and menhaden are tough for the jacks to turn down.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that anglers are still catching solid numbers of yellowfin tuna on most trips, with limits still a possibility. Bigeye tuna are feeding in the same areas and also falling for ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures. And a few gaffer dolphin are joining the action as well.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with a mixed bag of panfish, including spot, sea mullet, croaker, and more. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling most of the fish.
Some bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
Triggerfish and sheepshead are also feeding under the pier, but few people have been fishing for them.
