Northern Beaches – October 13, 2016
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that prior to Hurricane Matthew, anglers along the beach had reeled in bluefish and spots north of the inlet. Anglers also connected with black drum, pompano, and in-slot drum, and a 45” red drum was reported in the northern 4×4 area.
Anglers fishing the Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway reported stripers and trout prior to the storm.
The area piers reported anglers connecting with bluefish, pompano, and sea mullet. Small puppy drum were also reported, and spanish mackerel has been caught from the ends of the piers.
Inshore boats had several good days of catching spanish mackerel, bluefish, trout, puppy drum, and flounder. Over-slot red drum releases had also been reported, while nearshore vessels also caught spanish mackerel, bluefish, and trout.
Offshore, prior to Matthew the charter fleets were still filling their boxes with limits of yellowfin, and they were also catching plenty of blackfin and a few dolphin as well.
Post-Hurricane Matthew, the area waters are still rough, though the winds are starting to calm. It will take a few days for the waters to start to clear and for everyone to get a better idea how the fishing will be.
John Beles with a 45 red drum caught and released in Hatteras. Photo courtesy of TWs Bait and Tackle.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that prior to the storm, offshore anglers had reeled in nice-sized yellowfins, blackfins, and a few dolphin.
Nearshore anglers had solid bluefish and spanish mackerel catches, while inshore anglers also enjoyed good catches of spanish mackerel, flounder, and scattered striped bass.
Anglers aboard the local Miss Oregon Inlet head boat pulled in a wide variety of species before the storm, including gray trout, sea mullet, sand perch, pigfish, pinfish, spot, croaker, puffers, and lizardfish.
Lulu, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that before the storm, anglers were reeling in a mixed bag of species including red drum, bluefish, croaker, sea mullet, puppy drum, and a couple of speckled trout. Anglers were having the best luck using finger mullet for bait.
The pier has reopened following the hurricane, and anglers have reported catching puppy drum, though most are under-slot.
Tom, of Nags Head Pier, reports that anglers have been catching a lot of red drum, and they’ve also been doing really well with bottom fish including sea mullet, spots, croaker, and puffers. Fishermen on the pier were also catching scattered blues and spanish mackerel in the days leading up to the storm.
The pier has reopened following the storm, with clean-up in progress. Anglers have returned to the planks, but they have yet to report any bites.
Cindy, of Avalon Fishing Pier, reports that a few days before the storm anglers were catching nice-sized spanish, bluefish, and speckled trout. In addition, fishermen along the pier were reeling in red drum and a few puppy drum.
The pier has reopened following Hurricane Matthew, only sustaining the loss of a few rails off the sides of the pier. Anglers have returned to the pier, and they are targeting red drum and bottom fish.
Ed, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that there has been a solid drum bite off the local piers and along the beaches all the way from Hatteras to Carova. Anglers are having the best luck landing the drum by using fresh mullet on fish finder rigs or drum rigs.
There has also been some nice speckled trout caught in the sound, and decent spanish mackerel are being caught by the local inshore boats.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that the drum fishing was really good prior to the storm, with anglers catching big drum at night and landing puppy drum during the day. Fishermen along the beaches were also finding plenty of bluefish, trout, and pompano.
Local charter boats were enjoying a good spanish mackerel bite right at the inlet, as well as scattered flounder and plenty of gray trout.
