Northern Beaches – November 16, 2017
Betty, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action in the surf. Speckled trout, bluefish, puppy drum, black drum, and spot have all been landed. Those targeting trout have landed many keeper-sized fish on cut shrimp. A mix of cut mullet and shrimp has worked well for all the other species.
In the sound, the speckled trout and red drum bite remains steady. Live shrimp under float rigs, as well as live finger mullet on Carolina rigs, have gotten the job done. The striper fishing has also picked up in the sound. Anglers have found easy limits of both striper and trout.
The nearshore bite remains steady, as there are plenty of kings around. A few dolphin have also been in the mix.
Bluefish and false albacore have been schooled up close to the beach. Tossing metal jigs to busting fish has produced plenty of action.
Offshore, the tuna bite has improved, with plenty of yellowfin and blackfin being landed. A few wahoo and sailfish have also been in the mix.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that offshore fishing remains steady. Limits of yellowfin tuna have been brought back to the dock, and plenty of blackfin and bigeye tuna have been in the mix as well.
The wahoo bite has stayed strong, with many of the fish landed being citation-sized. A few limits of dolphin have also been landed, and there continue to be sailfish releases
Those fishing nearshore have found good schools of spanish, bluefish, and false albacore. Casting metal jigs to busting fish has found plenty of action. Trolling Clarkspoons has also worked. Anglers dropping to the bottom have landed amberjacks, triggerfish, and black sea bass.
Inshore fishing has produced red drum, striper, and speckled trout.
Teresa Russell with a 25” red drum that fell for shrimp on a Capt. Ryan Young custom jig.
Nikki, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that offshore fishing continues to provide anglers with plenty of action. Yellowfin and blackfin tuna have been landed in good numbers, and a few mahi and wahoo are still hanging around as well.
Just off the beach, the king bite remains strong. Slow trolling live baits around nearshore structure has been the key to landing good numbers of fish.
Inshore, anglers have found plenty of speckled trout and striper.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise, reports large puppy drum are feeding well in the sound. Anglers have had success with a mix of cut bait, popping cork rigs, and topwater plugs.
Those looking for speckled trout have found good action in the surf. MirrOlures and soft plastics have done the trick for the trout.
A few flounder are still hanging around. Live finger mullet and Gulp plastics have been the baits of choice.
Charlie, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bluefish, black drum, spot, pompano, and puppy drum have all been landed from the pier. Cut mullet, cut shrimp, and bloodworms have been the top producing baits. Most puppy drum landed have been in the slot.
Jerry, of Nags Head Pier, reports that the speckled trout fishing from the pier has been excellent. Anglers are landing limits of fish in the 16-20” range. Good numbers of slot-sized puppy drum are also being hooked, with cut mullet as the bait of choice.
A few spot, sea mullet, and bluefish are also being landed, and the best tactic has been bloodworms and cut shrimp.
Bob, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf fishing has produced good numbers of puppy drum and large red drum. Anglers have had the best luck using fresh cut mullet.
Speckled trout, bluefish, sea mullet, and black drum are also being caught. A mix of cut shrimp and bloodworms has worked best.
Fishing in the sound has produced good numbers of striper, and anglers should continue to see the striper action improve as the season continues.
Those venturing offshore have landed good numbers of yellowfin tuna.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that red drum fishing has been great in the surf. Anglers have landed slot-sized fish in the day and 40”+ fish at night. Fresh cut mullet has been the go-to bait. Bluefish, sea mullet, speckled trout, and a few spot are also being landed in the suds. A mix of cut shrimp and bloodworms have gotten the job done on these species.
Just off the beach, the king bite remains strong. Slow trolling live baits has produced plenty of action.
Offshore, yellowfin and blackfin tuna have been feeding well, and a few wahoo are also still in the mix.
