Hatteras March 7, 2013
Joe Boyne and crew, from NJ, with a 72″, 225 lb. bluefin tuna they landed east of Diamond Shoals Tower while fishing with Capt. Jay Kavanagh on the charterboat “Bite Me” out of Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that skates and dogfish have been providing the majority of the action for surf casters over the winter, and the trend continues. As winter fades into spring and the beach water temperatures rise, anglers can expect to see some sea mullet and pufferfish along Hatteras Island’s southern beaches, and possible puffers on the northern shores as well. Bottom fishing with shrimp and other baits is the way to put these tasty panfish in the cooler.
Warming water around the end of March often produces some puppy drum action in the pond and shoals around Oregon Inlet. When the fish show up, anglers may even be able to sight-cast to fish moving through the shallows. Soft plastic baits on appropriately-weighted jigheads are the way to go for the early puppies.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that there’s little to report at present in the Hatteras Island surf, but anglers are eagerly awaiting the appearance of panfish like sea mullet, pufferfish, and smaller bluefish which should take place in the coming weeks. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms will attract attention from all these bottom feeders.
Some puppy drum and perhaps speckled trout should also be showing up as winter becomes spring. Soft plastic baits are the best bets for both when they appear.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are connecting with a few puppy drum and sea mullet while soaking baits on the Hatteras beachfront. Shrimp and cut baits will attract attention from both. Surf casters in Frisco are also reporting dogfish.
The Hatteras Inlet offshore fleet has been finding some bluefin tuna over the past week. Some days have produced better action with the bluefins than others, and trolled ballyhoo along with artificials like vertical jigs and topwater poppers have all fooled the giant fish lately.
Shaw Dwight, Sam Royster, and Brian Bise with a citation red drum they caught and released in the Core Banks surf. A bluefish head fooled the big red.
A few yellowfin tuna have been in the mix over the past week, and boats have been putting together some solid catches of blackfin tuna. The blackfins will bite trolled baits or jigs.
Some amberjacks, sharks, and an occasional dolphin have been adding to the offshore action.
Claude, of Frisco Tackle, reports that surf casters are primarily seeing action with sharks and skates at present, but more options are just around the corner.
Whales, birds, and bait have all been present just off the beaches recently, and all these signs of life are good indicators that spring fishing is on the way.
Anglers are looking for southwest winds to push warmer water to the shoreline, and along with the warmer water, the early-season sea mullet and pufferfish bite should kick off. Shrimp and other baits on two-hook bottom rigs are the way to go for both of the bottom feeders.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the bluefin tuna bite is on offshore of Hatteras Inlet. The area east of Diamond Shoals Tower has been producing the best action lately (with most fish in the 200 lb. class.). The majority of the fish are taking an interest in vertical jigs and surface poppers that anglers are working, but boats trolling traditional ballyhoo spreads are also getting in on the action.
