Northern Beaches September 29, 2011
Jessica McClean with a 19" speckled trout that she hooked while fishing the sound near Manteo.
John, of TW’s Tackle, reports that surf and pier anglers are connecting with a fall mixed bag of sea mullet, spot, black drum, bluefish, pufferfish, and more. Shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs are tempting bites from all the bottom feeders.
Some red drum and speckled trout are also feeding along the beaches and around the piers. Live and cut baits or soft plastics like Gulps will get their attention.
Speckled trout and some yearling red drum are feeding inshore of Oregon Inlet, and anglers are hooking them on live finger mullet and Gulp baits.
The trout bite has also been good for anglers casting soft plastics from the Little Bridge pier and around Manteo.
Offshore, boats are finding a great yellowfin tuna bite, with limit catches on some days. Good numbers of blackfin tuna and some dolphin have been in the mix, and all are taking an interest in trolled ballyhoo.
Keith, of Corolla Bait and Tackle, reports that offshore boats are finding some outstanding action with smaller yellowfin tuna off Oregon Inlet right now. Blackfin tuna are mixed in, and both fish are falling for trolled ballyhoo and skirted lures.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still feeding in and around Oregon Inlet. Anglers are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons and other small, flashy lures in the inlet and just offshore.
Speckled trout are feeding in Oregon Inlet and back in the sound. Anglers can tempt them to bite live baits or scented soft plastics like Gulps.
The citation-class red drum bite is starting up for fall, and anglers caught several 40”+ reds from the beaches and piers last week. Large cut baits are the way to go for the big reds.
Some speckled trout are also feeding along the beachfront, and they’ll take an interest in a variety of baits and lures.
Bottom fishing from the beaches and piers is producing plenty of action with bluefish, sea mullet, croaker, spot, pompano, and more.
Korin, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the dock repairs are nearly complete and the fleet should be returning to the marina soon.
Meanwhile, the offshore boats running from different ports are connecting with excellent numbers of yellowfin and blackfin tuna while trolling ballyhoo along the break. Some wahoo and dolphin, along with a few sailfish, have also been joining the offshore action lately.
Closer to the beaches, boats are still catching big numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel while trolling Clarkspoons in and just off Oregon Inlet.
Speckled trout fishing remains solid in the sound, where boats are catching good numbers of keeper fish.
Gary Kinison, of Charleston, WV, with a 43" red drum he caught and released from the end of Jennette's Pier.
Dave, of Skiligal Charters, reports that the blackfin and yellowfin tuna bite has been excellent offshore in recent weeks. A few scattered dolphin, sailfish, and wahoo have been in the mix, and all are falling for naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers landed the first citation-class red drum from the pier last week.
Black drum, sea mullet, gray trout, pompano, spot, and other bottom feeders are taking an interest in shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs.
Some speckled trout have also been coming over the rails lately.
