Northern Beaches Winter 2013-2014
Grayson Warner (age 11), of Manteo, with a 25″ puppy drum that bit a chunk of mullet off Jennette’s Pier.
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking some puppy drum and speckled trout in the surf of the northern beaches. They’ve both been increasing in size as the water has cooled (with some citation specks and upper-slot reds recently). Both fish will fall for baited bottom rigs or artificial lures like MirrOlures and Gulp baits in the breakers.
The local offshore fleet is connecting with a few gaffer dolphin and yellowfin tuna while trolling ballyhoo and skirted lures in the Gulf Stream. Scattered blackfin tuna, wahoo, and mako sharks are also prowling the blue water.
Bottom fishing the deep water is producing plenty of tasty tilefish.
Marc Gottlieb, of Raleigh, with a yellowfin tuna that bit a skirted ballyhoo 40 miles northeast of Oregon Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Dave Swain on the “High Return” out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.
Deborah, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that anglers are connecting with some big hauls of tilefish while dropping baited bottom rigs offshore.
Trolling along the temperature breaks offshore is producing some yellowfin tuna and interestingly, gaffer dolphin. Skirted and naked ballyhoo are fooling the pelagic predators.
The yellowfin bite should improve a bit over the coming weeks, and anglers are eagerly anticipating the winter arrival of giant bluefin tuna in the area. The bluefins will also bit trolled ballyhoo, and anglers can also work topwater poppers and vertical jigs around fish they spot on the surface or depthsounder to connect with the giants.
Jake Worthington, of Camden, NC, with a puppy drum he hooked off Avalon Pier.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that windy, rough weather has kept many anglers from fishing the pier lately, but there’s been some action for those who’ve been. Anglers fishing from the pier and the adjacent surf are connecting with good numbers of puppy drum and speckled trout. Most are falling for artificials like soft plastics and MirrOlures, but a few are biting baits as well.
Spiny dogfish have shown up as well and will strike just about any bait on a bottom rig.
The water is 50 degrees.
