Northern Beaches April 11, 2013
Robin Williams with a 325 lb. bluefin that that he hooked while trolling offshore of Oregon Inlet with Capt. Lee Collins and mate Jason Carroll on the charterboat “Strike’Em” out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.
Seth, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers are starting to hook some croaker and shad from the local piers. Plenty of dogfish and skates are still in the mix as well. Most of the fish are taking an interest in double-drop bottom rigs bearing shrimp or other baits. The shad are more likely to fall for double-jig rigs with smaller soft plastic tails.
Surf casters are hooking some pufferfish and sea mullet around Cape Point and the southern beaches of Hatteras, but not much has been happening locally. The water temperatures are on the rise, however, and anglers should see some panfish showing up in the local surf before long.
The sound is still a bit slow due to the cold water, but anglers should begin seeing some puppy drum and trout around Oregon Inlet, the little bridge on the causeway, and other springtime spots as the water warms up over the next few weeks. Soft plastic baits will fool the reds and specks.
Offshore, the bluefin tuna bite is still going when boats are getting out. The fish are feeding around offshore temperature breaks, where trolled ballyhoo, vertical jigs, and topwater poppers are all tempting the tuna to bite. A few bigeye tuna, mako sharks, and other blue water predators have been in the same areas and biting the trolled baits as well.
Jake Worthington and Brant Wise with a 72″ bluefin tuna that bit a ballyhoo under an Ilander Seastar. They were trolling 20 miles off Hatteras on Wise’s charterboat “Swordfish” out of Teach’s Lair Marina.
Denise, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the offshore fleet is still connecting with bluefin tuna while trolling off the inlet, with rigged ballyhoo fooling most of the fish (fish ranging from 100-500+ lbs.). Some blackfin tuna, albacore, mako sharks, and other offshore predators are mixed in with the bluefins and falling for the same baits.
Offshore bottom fishermen are connecting with tilefish and snowy grouper while dropping baits to deep bottom structure.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that anglers are still connecting with dogfish and skate from the pier, but there’s been a bit more action along with them. Hickory shad and a few pufferfish have also been coming over the rails. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp are fooling most of the fish.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that the bluefin tuna bite is still going around temperature breaks offshore of Oregon Inlet. Most of the fish are taking an interest in ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures.
