Northern Beaches October 11, 2012
Linda Moore, Ashley Bahen, and Linda Harper with citation sea mullet and a pompano that led they and the rest of the TW's Tackle Mullet Mama's to victory in the Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament, the first time a ladies team has won the event since 1962.
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers are finding action with some scattered bluefish in the surf. Anglers in Corova, Corolla, and from some of the local piers are connecting with good numbers of citation-class red drum, and anglers may easily happen upon one from the beach further south. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are the way to go for the big reds.
Spot, pompano, sea mullet, croaker, and other bottom feeders are still around and feeding along the beaches and under the local piers. Shrimp and bloodworms on double-hook rigs will fool the panfish.
Some speckled trout and flounder are feeding around Oregon Inlet and taking an interest in Gulp baits and other soft plastics.
Anglers fishing the sound are hooking some panfish and speckled trout.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still on the feed around the inlet and just off the beachfront, and boaters are hooking big numbers while trolling Clarkspoons and other small metal lures. Pier anglers are also hooking both fish while working Gotcha plugs.
Offshore, the meatfish action has cranked back up, with plenty of dolphin and good yellowfin tuna fishing. Scattered wahoo are in the mix, so a meatfish slam is a solid possibility right now.
Mark Alverson, of Manteo, NC, with a 24", 5 lb., 6 oz. flounder that bit a piece of cut mullet off Outer Banks Pier.
Some blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish are still in the area as well. The billfish and meatfish are both taking an interest in skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Michelle, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the fall fishing is getting underway offshore, and the meatfish have taken the place of billfish as the stars of the show.
Dolphin (both gaffers and bailers), yellowfin tuna, and some scattered wahoo are all showing up in the fish boxes.
There are still some billfish in the area as well, and boats released blue and white marlin and sailfish amongst the meatfish action last week. Skirted and naked ballyhoo are tempting most of the bites from the offshore pelagics.
Plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel, along with some false albacore, are still feeding around the inlet and within a few miles of the shoreline in the ocean. Anglers are hooking all of them while trolling small spoons.
A few cobia are still around the area.
Bottom fishing near Oregon Inlet is producing catches of sea mullet, flounder, gray trout, bluefish, and more.
Ian Crumpler (age 8) with his first dolphin, which fell for a ballyhoo off Oregon Inlet while he was fishing on the "Water Witch" with Capt. Scott Williams.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that anglers have had some serious action over the past week, boating big numbers of dolphin (including some gaffers) yellowfin and blackfin tunas, wahoo, and plenty of albacore and skipjacks to keep things busy.
The billfish bite isn’t quite over yet, and some sailfish and marlin have been released lately as well. Trolled ballyhoo (both naked and skirted) are tempting the bites from the billfish and meatfish.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are catching and releasing big numbers of citation-class red drum from the pier. Most are falling for large cut baits.
Some spot, sand perch, sea mullet, puppy drum, pompano, and other bottom feeders are also in the mix and taking an interest in shrimp, bloodworms, and other baits on double-drop rigs.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still feeding near the pier, and anglers have been hooking them on Gotcha plugs and other metal lures when the water’s clean.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that the surf fishing on the northern beaches is going strong. Large red drum are the main attraction right now, and anglers are hooking most of them on cut baits pinned to fish finder rigs.
Those looking for eating fish are hooking plenty of bluefish, sea mullet, croaker, spot, and puppy drum, with cut baits and bloodworms both producing results.
