OBX/Northern Beaches – December 2023
Ward, of TW’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are catching a mix of black drum, sea mullet, and puppy drum. With the cooler water temperatures, the dogfish sharks are also moving in. The speckled trout action on the beach has been slowing down, and anglers typically see more catches when conditions are more settled.
Soundside anglers have been finding action on striped bass around some of the area’s bridges. Speckled trout fishing inside has moved mostly over to creeks on the mainland side of the sound. Offshore trolling efforts are producing some nice-sized yellowfin. Hopefully, the yellowfin fishing continues until the bluefin tuna fishing begins.
Anglers looking to catch something in the coldest months will be able to find dogfish sharks in the surf and puppy drum down around Oregon Inlet. When there’s a run of southwest winds, anglers can have success by making a drive down to Hatteras Island to surf fish around the Point and Ocracoke.
Aaron, of Carolina Sunrise Charters, reports that as these water temperatures have cooled down, the fishing action has been firing up in the backs of creeks for speckled trout. Over these winter months, slowly retrieved twitch baits will be producing the best strikes.
Topwater plugs are producing some solid bites, and often the majority of the bigger fish come from topwater action. Out on the beaches, puppy drum and black drum are showing up around holes and areas of structure. Anglers can entice some strikes from these species while fishing cut baits or sand fleas. Over the winter, anglers can also take a little drive down to the Buxton jetties. All winter long, you can typically find a trout, black drum, or puppy drum that will bite.
Lane Benton, of New Bern, caught this 66.95 lb. king mackerel off Cape Hatteras using a live bluefish. He was fishing with the Dirty South Fishing Team.
Ben, of Salty Waters OBX, reports that Outer Banks anglers have seen a nice run of red drum, black drum, and speckled trout while fishing the surf zone with artificials and cut bait. The sound waters have been cooling off quickly, but the drum species are still feeding on and around some of the flats.
Anglers looking for speckled trout have started to refocus efforts towards the backs of creeks on the western mainland areas across the Pamlico Sound. The striped bass have started to move and stage up around some of the bridges. In the coldest of months, both speckled trout and drum will be found in the backs of creeks, and these areas can also double as great areas to hide from cold winter winds.
John, of Drumbeat Charters, reports that in Corolla, anglers have found some puppy drum in the stirred-up waters on the beach, and the Nags Head and Kitty Hawk beaches are seeing some large sea mullet being caught on shrimp. When the winds aren’t kicking, some trout are being caught with jigs from the surf.
Soundside fishing has produced speckled trout, but this time of year requires a lot of patience and super slow retrieves. Over the coming months, look for trout to be hanging over areas with soft and muddy bottoms that retain heat on clear days. Anglers looking to get off the beach have found some false albacore and king mackerel. When the weather allows a run, the blackfin tuna action has been outstanding, with most of the blackfins being a larger (20 lb.) class of fish. This is a great time of year to get out and experience a jigging trip.
Jack, of Afishionado Charters, reports that boats have been finding some scrappy blackfin tuna action, with the occasional wahoo mixed in. Going further into winter, look for continued catches of both of these species.
Anglers are also awaiting the arrival of yellowfin tuna sometime in December. After the yellowfins, the area should see another season of the giant bluefin tuna. The bluefins typically show up around the beginning of January and stick around into early spring.
Paul Park, of Greenville, NC, reeled in this 45″ red drum while fishing from Jennette’s Pier using cut mullet.
Andy, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that offshore anglers have seen some nice tuna catches. Both yellowfin and blackfin tuna are mixed in the dock counts. Offshore efforts have also produced wahoo and the occasional late season mahi. Over the winter, the area sees some great tuna fishing. Blackfin, yellowfin, and eventually bluefin tuna will all be an option.
Meredith, of Pirate’s Cove Marina, reports that offshore anglers have done pretty good catching chunky blackfin tuna and wahoo. Anglers in the area look forward to winter as it brings the opportunity to target giant bluefin tuna.
Andy, of Nags Head Pier, reports that anglers can still find some bottom fishing action, with catches including sea mullet and black drum. Cindy, of Avalon Pier, reports that anglers getting out to enjoy some bottom fishing have been finding black drum and sea mullet.
Paul, of Bob’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers have caught spiny dogfish sharks, scattered puppy drum, and a few speckled trout. Soundside anglers are having success finding striped bass around the Manns Harbor and Alligator River bridges. Some red drum are being caught around the inlet and off some docks facing the sound. Anglers coming down in the winter can usually still find something to pull line. Dogfish sharks will stick around in the surf, with the occasional red drum mixed in until January.
