Northern Beaches May 12, 2011
Justin Stewart, of TW's Bait and Tackle, with a 40 lb. black drum he hooked outside of Hatteras Inlet.
Wheeler, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are beginning to connect with some sea mullet from the local piers and the surf. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms will attract attention from the mullet.
Inshore, there’s been some black drum action around the Melvin Daniels Bridge in the sound for anglers bottom fishing with shrimp.
The inshore and inlet water temperatures are still on the cool side (around 60 degrees), and the fishing should improve as the water temperatures climb over the month of May.
Cobia have shown up down around Drum Inlet, so it won’t be long until they work their way north to Hatteras and Oregon Inlets.
Offshore, the blackfin tuna bite is still good, with scattered yellowfins in the mix. Wahoo and gaffer dolphin are showing up in increasing numbers as well.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are picking up some bluefish along the beaches on bait and while casting metal lures.
Trolling with small spoons has also been producing action with blues in the sound near Oregon Inlet.
Anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, flounder, and croaker while bottom fishing in the sound.
Offshore, the gaffer dolphin fishing is improving. Some scattered yellowfin tuna are still mixed in, and the majority of the action has been to the south around the Point.
Randy S. with a 75 lb. cobia he hooked while sight-casting eels and bucktails out of Hatteras Inlet aboard the "Free Agent" with Capt. Rick Caton.
Korin, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that offshore boats are seeing some of the first really good gaffer dolphin fishing of the season while trolling ballyhoo in the Gulf Stream, primarily to the south of the inlet.
Scattered yellowfin tuna have been in the mix as well, with many boats picking up a few in addition to their dolphin catches. The big boats have also seen a few blackfin tuna, king mackerel, sailfish, and mako sharks added to the catch in the past week.
A few bigeye tuna (to 200 lbs.) are also in the area.
Inshore boats are finding plenty of action with bluefish, limiting out on several days recently. Trolling small spoons, working metal jigs, and bottom fishing with cut baits will draw strikes from the blues.
Bottom fishing along the beaches and in the sound has also been producing some sea mullet, croaker, and flounder.
Dave, of Skiligal Charters, reports that gaffer dolphin are showing up in the area in larger numbers by the day. Most of the action has been around grass lines and temperature breaks along the edge of the Gulf Stream, and trolled ballyhoo are accounting for the majority of the bites.
Yellowfin tuna are becoming more scattered, but anglers are still catching a few most days along with the dolphin.
The majority of the bluefin tuna have pushed north, but anglers did have a triple hookup and release one 300-lb. class bluefin last week, so some stragglers may still be in the area.
