Hatteras – April 23, 2015
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf anglers are hooking slot and over-slot red drum from the northern and southern beaches of Hatteras Island.
Blake O’Sullivan with a 31″ red drum he caught and released after it struck a chunk of mullet just off the beachfront at Waves.
Some larger citation-class reds are falling for big cut baits around Cape Point and Hatteras Inlet.
Anglers baiting up smaller hooks with shrimp and bloodworms are connecting with sea mullet, pufferfish, and plenty of skates and dogfish.
Kelly, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been seeing some solid red drum action off the pier (with most fish a bit over-slot) and hooking the fish on cut baits.
Sea mullet and pufferfish are around and biting shrimp and other baits for those looking for some panfish to take home.
Ward Trotter, of Grandy, NC, with a 47.7 lb. cobia he hooked while drum fishing in the Ocracoke surf. Weighed in at Tradewinds Bait and Tackle.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that anglers are connecting with yearling red drum up and down the local beachfront (most 32-38”) and hooking them on cut baits.
Some speckled trout have also been biting bait around Ramp 44.
Bluefish (most 1-3 lbs.) have also arrived in good numbers and are biting baits and metal casting jigs.
Anglers baiting smaller hooks with shrimp and bloodworms are hooking plenty of sea mullet and pufferfish.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are connecting with plenty of sea mullet and pufferfish while surf fishing from Hatteras Island’s southern beaches. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action.
Bluefish are also making a good showing around Hatteras Inlet and Cape Point, and they’re biting a variety of baits and lures.
Some flounder are showing up around Hatteras Inlet as well.
Citation-class red drum are feeding around Cape Point and falling for large cut baits, particularly in the evening hours.
Inshore boats fishing around Hatteras Inlet are connecting with good numbers of red drum while bait fishing and casting artificial lures.
The offshore fleet is connecting with dolphin, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, and some wahoo. Blue marlin have also made an appearance in the past week. Most of the blue water predators are biting naked and skirted ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing plenty of action with black sea bass, amberjacks, and some grouper.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that offshore boats have been connecting with big numbers of fat blackfin tuna along with a few yellowfins and a mix of dolphin and wahoo.
Inshore boats are finding action with citation-class red drum around Hatteras Inlet and hooking them on bucktail jigs and other lures.
Surf casters are reporting some sea mullet and pufferfish along Hattteras Island’s southern beachfront. Some puppy drum and bluefish are also falling for baits in the breakers.
Citation-class red drum continue to feed around Cape Point, and anglers have been releasing decent numbers when the winds are blowing from the southwest.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking red drum (from slot fish to citations) in the Ocracoke surf. A surf caster also landed a cobia early in the week. Cut baits are fooling most of the larger fish.
Bluefish, sea mullet, and a few keeper flounder are also falling for surf anglers’ baits.
Boaters are also finding action with large red drum, primarily around Ocracoke Inlet.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that anglers are seeing some excellent mixed-bag fishing in the blue water off Hatteras Inlet at present. Tuna (mostly blackfins but some yellowfins as well) are still around in solid numbers and biting well. Dolphin are arriving in increasing numbers as the spring progresses and should only grow more numerous in the coming weeks, and anglers are also still picking up a few wahoo to add some variety to the fish box.
Billfish are also beginning to arrive in increasing numbers, with several blue marlin encounters over the past week.
