Northern Beaches – June 19, 2014
Jacob Twiddy (age 11) , David Kirk, and Benjie Twiddy with Jacob’s first dolphin, hooked while trolling offshore of Oregon Inlet with Capt. Andy Pope aboard the “Salt Break” out of Belhaven, NC.
Seth, of TW’s Tackle, reports that surf casters have been hooking some sea mullet, puppy drum, and small flounder from the beach around Oregon Inlet. Most are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs.
The northern beaches up to Corolla are reporting good action with some fat sea mullet (to 1+ lbs.), black drum (5-7 lbs.), puppy drum, and assorted panfish.
Anglers casting soft plastic baits from the little bridge on the causeway are connecting with some speckled trout (though most are just undersized). Croaker and spot are taking an interest in baited bottom rigs in the same areas.
Boaters fishing the sound are reporting plenty of puppy drum action along with a few speckled trout while working soft plastic baits around marshy areas and near the inlet.
Nearshore trollers are connecting with big numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel while pulling Clarkspoons around Oregon Inlet and along the beachfront.
Anglers sight-casting for cobia have had some good days and some slower ones over the past week, but good numbers of fish (and some citation 40+ pounders) have been weighed in. Most are falling for bucktail jigs with soft plastic trailers that anglers are casting to fish they spot cruising on the surface.
The offshore fleet is connecting with excellent numbers of yellowfin tuna (many limit catches). Most are falling for ballyhoo paired with skirted lures, which are also attracting attention from gaffer dolphin, wahoo, bigeye and blackfin tuna, some mako sharks, and blue and white marlin.
Carmen, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that tuna are the name of the game for the offshore fleet right now, and boats have been connecting with big numbers of yellowfin while trolling offshore of the inlet. Some large bigeye tuna (100-200+ lbs.) are mixed in, and boats are also finding action with gaffer dolphin and a few wahoo and mako sharks. White and blue marlin are feeding in the same areas and also taking an interest in trollers’ baits, putting some release flags up on boats’ outriggers in addition to the meatfish in the boxes.
Nearshore trollers are hooking plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish just off the inlet and along the beachfront. Clarkspoons paired with planers and trolling weights are fooling the spaniards and blues.
Anglers bottom fishing in the inlet are also finding plenty of action, with sea mullet, spot, croaker, pigfish, and some keeper flounder making their way into the boat.
Blake Reynolds with his first yellowfin tuna, hooked on a trolled ballyhoo offshore of Oregon Inlet while he was fishing with his uncle, mate Mikey Fulgham, and Capt. Lee Collins aboard the “Strike’Em” out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that the tuna bite has been excellent in the vicinity of the Point over the past week. Good numbers of yellowfins (some limit catches and many fish 50+ lbs.) are producing the majority of the action, and they’re falling for ballyhoo paired with trolling lures like sea witches. Some bigeye tuna (to 200+ lbs.) are looking for meals in the same areas and also pouncing on the ballyhoo.
Gaffer dolphin, wahoo, and blue and white marlin hookups have also been rewarding offshore trollers recently.
Rob, of Strike’Em Sportfishing, reports that boats are connecting with solid numbers of yellowfin tuna and gaffer dolphin recently. Skirted ballyhoo are fooling the majority of the fish and also attracting attention from some billfish and other blue water predators like wahoo.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that the puppy drum action in the sound around Oregon Inlet has been phenomenal lately. Anglers are hooking the pups on soft plastics beneath popping corks or on jigheads and while working topwater plugs along channel edges, sand bars, and grass banks.
Some speckled trout have begun feeding alongside the reds just in time for the keeper trout season, and they’re falling for the same baits as the reds.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs from the pier when there’s warm, clean water within range.
Bottom fishermen are reporting sea mullet, flounder, sand perch, and more. Shrimp and bloodworms are tempting bites from the bottom feeders.
