Northern Beaches – October 8, 2015
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that that the long stretch of northeast winds and big surf that have made much fishing impossible from the northern Outer Banks’ beaches should be ending over the next few days. The surf and offshore fishing opportunities in the area will hopefully be expanding greatly as a result.
Anglers fishing from the local piers have been catching and releasing some large red drum when it’s possible to keep their baits on the bottom.
Those fishing the sound have been connecting with some legal speckled trout while casting lures and baits from the little bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway. Striped bass (including some limit catches) and flounder were in the mix towards the end of last week.
Some panfish like sea mullet and croaker are feeding in the same area and biting small baits on bottom rigs.
Travis Kemp, of Currituck, NC, took first place in the Jim Mulford Memorial Red Drum Tournament, held Saturday, Oct. 3 at Jennette’s Pier. The anglers 43.5×26.5″ red drum was the larfest caught and released during the event.
Anglers fishing the sound and around Oregon Inlet from boats landed speckled and gray trout, red drum, and striped bass last week.
When nearshore boats were able to fish last Thursday, there were some solid catches of bluefish, spanish mackerel, and false albacore for boats trolling around Oregon Inlet. Small flashy lures like Clarkspoons are fooling most of the nearshore pelagics.
Bottom fishing in Oregon Inlet is producing some action with croaker, gray trout, flounder, sea mullet, sea bass, and more.
The offshore fleet has been stuck at the docks for over a week.
Bob Pittman with a 26″ red drum he landed near Ramp 4 in the Nags Head surf. Photo courtesy of TW’s Tackle.
Norma, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that despite the wind and rain, boaters fishing the sound landed some striped bass and flounder last week. Some large red drum and sharks have been released as well.
Boats trolling around the inlet and along the beaches found some action with bluefish, spanish mackerel, and false albacore last week as well.
Bottom fishing around Oregon Inlet has been producing plenty of panfish like pigfish, puffers, croaker, and sea mullet, along with some flounder and gray trout.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers have dealt with some extreme wind and surf conditions early this week, but the large red drum have been around when they can keep their baits on the bottom. Anglers are hooking the big reds on large cut baits fished on the bottom when the conditions moderate a bit.
There’s also been some more good bottom fishing for smaller panfish including sea mullet, puffers, black drum, spot, and more. Shrimp, Fish Bites, and other smaller baits are fooling the bottom feeders.
