Northern Beaches – March 23, 2017
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the red drum have been active in late winter/early spring. Fish to 27-28” have been caught up to Ramp 43, and the Point reports larger drum up to 34”. Look for these fish from the Point all the way to Buxton.
A few small flounder have been reported, which is a good sign for later in the year.
Those looking for blow toads will find them scattered from Frisco to the Point as well, with anglers in Frisco also connecting with sea mullet and bluefish. The bluefish have been found up to Ramp 44, with bigger blues up to 31” reported.
Sharks, dogfish, and skates are the most commonly caught fish in this colder, wet weather.
Those hitting the waters south of the bridge have landed a few stripers in the 13-15” range. Check for them in the marsh and around the Little Bridge, too, and throw soft plastics in colors like chartreuse to connect with these fish.
Those heading offshore are still catching bluefin tuna.
Susan McClanahan, of Harbinger, with a red drum landed off the beach in Frisco on bait shrimp.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Inshore Fishing, reports that light tackle inshore fishing is starting to kick off with temperatures warming and spring approaching. Anglers can expect to start seeing some action from trout, red drum, striper, and a few flounder. Those looking to target the speckled trout should throw Gulp soft plastics, twitch baits, deep divers, and popping corks. The drum will take similar baits.
Looking towards April, expect to see the bull reds move back into the area, and anglers should be able to cast to them on the sandbars of Hatteras.
David Taylor, of Kannapolis, with a red drum caught on cut mullet while fishing the surf on Portsmouth Island.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that bad weather has been keeping most of the boats at the marina. However, when the fleet is getting out, anglers are having success connecting with bluefin tuna. One boat recently landed a 578 lb. fish on light tackle.
Tammy, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that when the boats are able to get out, they are mostly connecting with bluefin tuna. Several nice-sized fish were brought in recently, measuring in at 72” and 93”, and weighing in at over 700 lbs. combined.
Capt. Charles Haywood, Mike Kirk, Ducky Garner, first mate Graham Alexander, Mike Ward, and Clifton Owen with a 452 lb. bluefin tuna. The fish measured 92” and was caught out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center aboard the “Rigged Up.”
Phillip, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that most anglers braving the cold are connecting with dogfish and skates. Cut bait is the go-to currently, with squid and shrimp being preferred.
The Nags Head Pier is still closed and will reopen in April.
John, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the northern beaches are holding puppy drum in the surf, and the reds are biting when the conditions are good. Heading further south towards Hatteras, anglers are connecting with pufferfish and sea mullet, with the occasional stray red drum being landed as well.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that most anglers are throwing cut bait and squid, and they’re landing dogfish and skates. The water needs to warm up a bit more for the action to increase, with most anglers hoping Easter weekend will be the turn of the season.
Offshore, there are still bluefin and yellowfin tuna in the area (when the boats are able to get offshore).
