Northern Beaches June 16, 2011
Alex Bryant, of Williamston, NC, with an 8.75 lb. sheepshead he caught from the Bonner Bridgwe catwalk on a sand flea.
Britton, of TW’s Tackle, reports that surf and pier anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, croaker, and a few flounder. The action’s been a bit slow due to cold water (around 60 degrees) this past week, but north and northeast winds should have the water temperature on the rise over the next few days and improve the fishing. Bluefish and spanish mackerel should be on the feed along the beaches once the water warms a few degrees.
Some smaller flounder and speckled trout are feeding in the marshes and around structure in the sound. Live baits or soft plastics will tempt them to bite.
Offshore boats are finding some action with dolphin, tuna, and white and blue marlin while trolling ballyhoo and lures in the blue water.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that boats willing to make a long run have found solid dolphin fishing down south around the 300 line this past week.
Bigeye tuna showed up around the Point last weekend, and some yellowfins have been in the same area.
Some white and blue marlin have been rounding out the offshore action in recent days, but boats have been seeing more than they’re hooking.
Amberjacks have shown up on the inshore wrecks, and anglers should have little trouble tempting the jacks to bite live baits like bluefish.
There are still a few cobia around, and boats are hooking them while sight-casting and bottom fishing along the beaches and near the inlet.
Anglers are catching decent numbers of flounder around Oregon Inlet, but many are on the small side.
Surf fishermen are connecting with big numbers of bluefish (most 10-15”), and some croaker and sea mullet. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp, bloodworms, and cut baits are getting their attention.
Korin, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that offshore boats are still seeing solid gaffer dolphin fishing on most days.
Some yellowfin tuna are still joining the catch, and boats saw a good showing of bigeye tuna (most 100-200 lbs.) last week.
Billfish are also feeding offshore of the area, and anglers released decent numbers of blue and white marlin and a few sailfish last week.
Naked and skirted ballyhoo are producing the majority of the action with all the offshore predators.
Inshore boats have had good catches of croaker and flounder last week.
Some cobia are still cruising along the beaches, and anglers are catching a few while sight-casting bucktails.
Andrew Kine, of Chesapeake, VA, with 8.6 and 8.7 lb. sheepshead he caught from the Bonner Bridge catwalk on sand fleas.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that gaffer dolphin are providing plenty of action for the offshore fleet.
Good numbers of yellowfin tuna are still in the mix many days, and bigeye tunas (some over 200 lbs.) showed up last weekend, with some boats scoring 8-10 bites at once when packs of the fish rise to attack the entire spread.
Blue and white marlin are mixed in with the dolphin and tunas, and they’re providing some release action on top of the meatfish.
All the blue water peleagics are taking an interest in naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Ashley, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking up with some sea mullet and spot on shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits on the bottom.
Plug casters have been connecting with some bluefish.
