Northern Beaches March 29, 2012
Carl Barker and friends from Maryland with a 219 lb. bluefin tuna that attacked a medium ballyhoo beneath a Sea Witch while they were fishing with Capt. Dave Peck on the charterboat "Skiligal" out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.
Nathan, of TW’s Tackle, reports that speckled trout seem to have moved across the sound and made a good showing for local anglers on the eastern side last week. The Little Bridge pier and area around Oregon Inlet both produced some good fishing. Smaller baits are generally preferable for the springtime specks, and both Gulp and Bass Assassin soft baits on light jigheads proved effective last week.
The surf temperatures are still a little cool (mid-50’s), but anglers are starting to see some signs of life from the local beaches. Puffers and dogfish have been providing most of the action of late, but once the water gets consistently into the 60’s, anglers should begin seeing sea mullet, bluefish, and some puppy drum in the surf. The flounder bite will also turn on in Oregon Inlet.
Offshore boats are still picking up a few bluefin tuna, but it seems most of the fish have moved to the north.
Trolling down south around the Point has been producing some good yellowfin tuna action with a few wahoo and dolphin in the mix. Ballyhoo rigged beneath skirted trolling lures are producing most of the action with the offshore predators.
Not many people have been fishing between the beach and the blue water, but bottom feeders like tautog should be hanging out on the wrecks and other structure in that range.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that there’s been some excellent yellowfin tuna fishing offshore of the inlet lately (with many limit catches), with most boats hooking up while trolling naked and skirted ballyhoo. Some bluefin tuna are still around as well (and some are pushing 300 lbs.), but they’re gradually getting edged out by the yellowfins.
Blue water trolling has also been producing some wahoo and the first few dolphin of the season. A few mako sharks have also been caught in the past week.
Offshore bottom fishing is producing good catches of tilefish.
Ashley Bahen with a speckled trout she hooked near Nags Head. Photo courtesy of TW's Tackle.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that anglers were still seeing some bluefin tuna off Oregon Inlet, including a 219 lb. fish that the crew brought back to the docks last week.
The yellowfin tuna bite has also been solid lately, so that’s a good sign for the upcoming spring season. Both tunas are taking an interest in ballyhoo trolled behind sea witches and other skirted lures.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some pufferfish, skates, and stingrays while bottom fishing from the pier.
Some speckled trout and puppy drum have been seen swimming beneath the pier over the past week, so hopes are high that anglers will connect with them in the upcoming weeks.
