Northern Beaches May 23, 2013
Bryce Ebinger with a slot puppy drum he hooked in the Croatan Sound. Photo courtesy of TW’s Bait and Tackle.
Seth, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are starting to see some good action with sea mullet and bluefish in the Nags Head surf. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits will tempt plenty of bites from both.
Anglers also found some speckled trout action in the surf around the local piers. Soft plastics are fooling most of the trout.
The speck bite has also been excellent inside, with anglers catching solid numbers by fishing from the little bridge and wading nearby. The area around Oregon Inlet is also producing some specks. Puppy drum and some flounder are mixed in with the trout, and all three are falling for Gulps and a variety of other soft plastic baits.
Anglers trolling along the beachfront and in the inlet are connecting with some bluefish along with some of the first spanish mackerel of the year. Small spoons are the best bet for both.
Hatteras boats are starting to see some cobia, so it shouldn’t be long until they make their way north to give local anglers a shot. Sight-casting live baits or bucktails to fish that anglers spot cruising on the surface is the most exciting way to hook up with the cobes.
The offshore fleet is finding fast action with gaffer dolphin along weedlines and other structure on the edge of the Gulf Stream. Decent numbers of yellowfin tuna and a few blackfins are in the mix, and some of the first blue marlin of the season have been released in the past week. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are doing the majority of the damage on the blue water predators.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers are still catching some big numbers of yellowfin tuna and dolphin while trolling the offshore waters nearby. Some wahoo and a few mako sharks have also been in the mix. Several blue marlin were also released recently, so the summer blue water action is heating up. All the Gulf Stream pelagics are taking an interest in skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing offshore has been producing big numbers of tilefish and some amberjacks.
Mike Preziotti, of Kitty Hawk, with a 4.75 lb., 25″ speckled trout that fell for a Paul Brown Devil off Jennette’s Pier.
Cobia have made their first appearance around the inlet this week, and more will be on their heels as the water temperatures continue to climb and spring wears into summer.
Inshore boats are catching bluefish while trolling around the inlet and along the beachfront, and several spanish mackerel have been caught recently as well.
Speckled trout are taking an interest in artificial lures that anglers are working in the sound.
Rob, of Strike’Em Sportfishing, reports that the dolphin bite is getting hot and heavy off the inlet. Anglers are connecting with the ‘phins while pulling skirted ballyhoo and artificials along with bailing smaller fish on squid and cut baits.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, hake, croaker, skates, pigfish, and other bottom feeders. Most are falling for shrimp, squid, and other baits on double-drop rigs.
The pier’s first cobia of the season also came over the rails last week, fooled by a live menhaden on a pin rig.
Anglers also saw a good run of fat speckled trout biting artificial lures near the breakers last week.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, croaker, pufferfish, bluefish, and more while surf casting from the northern beaches. Cut bait on bottom rigs has been producing most of the action with all the surf dwellers.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are feeding in the sound and taking an interest in soft plastics like Gulp baits.
Offshore, boats are hauling in big numbers of dolphin. Some yellowfin tuna are still in the mix, along with some wahoo, and billfish are beginning to make their summer appearance as well. Most of the blue water predators are taking an interest in skirted ballyhoo.
