Hatteras June 2, 2011
Mate Jeremy Hicks and Galen Kash, of Richmond, VA, with a gaffer dolphin that fell for a skirted ballyhoo while they were trolling the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet with Capt. Jay Kavanagh on the "Bite Me."
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are seeing some sea mullet and good numbers of bluefish (from small fish to big choppers) up and down the beaches of Hatteras Island. Shrimp and bloodworms will fool the mullet, while a variety of baits and metal casting lures should attract attention from the blues.
Onshore winds are producing the best fishing, so the south beaches are better on south and westerly winds, with north and easterly winds producing more action north of the cape.
The flounder bite has been good around Oregon and Hatteras Inlets over the past week, with decent action in the sound as well. Gulp baits and other soft plastics and small live baits will fool the flatties. Some red drum and speckled trout have also been around the inlets, but they’ve been fairly scarce along the rest of the beachfront.
Sheepshead are showing up around the ocean piers and at the nearshore wrecks (with some 8-9 lb. fish weighed in lately), and anglers are hooking them on fiddler crabs and other crustacean baits.
Cobia are feeding just off the beaches, and pier and boat anglers have landed good numbers recently.
Ginger, of Frank and Fran’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been seeing action with sea mullet and bluefish all along the beaches over the past week. Some croaker and flounder have been in the mix as well, along with a few pompano on the south beaches. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will fool the bottom feeders, and anglers can tempt the blues to bite metal casting lures or a variety of baits. Small live baits or scented soft plastics are the way to go for the flatfish.
A cobia was landed at Ramp 45 last week as well.
Kyle, of Frisco Bait and Tackle, reports that boats fishing out of Hatteras Inlet are still seeing some cobia and hooking them while sight-casting with bucktails.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also feeding just off the beaches and falling victim to trolled spoons.
Surf casters have found action with chopper bluefish, sea mullet, and pompano. A few small flounder have been in the mix as well. The big blues will take an interest in large cut baits or metal casting lures. Shrimp and sand fleas will fool the sea mullet and pompano.
Offshore, the gaffer dolphin fishing remains solid for the Hatteras fleet. Some yellow and blackfin tuna are mixed in, and boats are still seeing decent numbers of white and blue marlin. Skirted ballyhoo are doing most of the damage on the blue water gamefish.
Matthew Eustace, of Fredericksburg, VA, with a 97 lb. cobia that fell for a sight-cast bucktail off Hatteras Inlet while he was fishing on the "Hawkeye." Photo courtesy of Teach's Lair Marina.
Jam, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that boats are still bringing big numbers of citation dolphin back to the docks (to 48 lbs. in recent days). Boats are also tallying some releases on blue and white marlin, and a few sailfish are showing up as well. Skirted ballyhoo are the baits of choice.
Inshore, the cobia bite has slowed down a little, but anglers are still seeing some fish. There are still groups of fish working their way up from the south, so the season isn’t over yet. Sight-casting bucktails and soft plastic trailers is producing most of the cobes.
Along the beaches, anglers are still reporting good numbers of chopper bluefish (some 15-18 lbs.) on metal lures and cut baits.
Spanish mackerel made an appearance within casting range of shore last weekend, and anglers were able to put a few on the beach while casting smaller metal lures.
Some pompano and sea mullet are still feeding along the breakers and will take an interest in shrimp or sand fleas.
Flounder fishing remains hot along the channels in the sound, and live baits or Gulps will fool the flatfish.Â
Jay, of Bite Me Charters, reports that there’s been solid gaffer dolphin fishing off Hatteras Inlet over the past week, along with scattered yellowfin and blackfin tuna and some wahoo. Skirted ballyhoo are fooling all the pelagic predators.
Billfishing is improving still, and boats are getting decent numbers of shots at blue and white marlin and a few sailfish.
Melinda, of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers fishing the wash along the island’s surf are picking up some black drum, sea mullet, puppy drum, and keeper flounder. Shrimp will attract attention from most of the bottom feeders.
Those casting large cut baits out further are still connecting with some large chopper bluefish.
Boaters weighed in a few cobia caught in Blair Channel last week, primarily on live menhaden. Trollers are still connecting with big numbers of bluefish and a few spanish mackerel.
A few big drum are coming from the shoals outside the inlets, but the fish are scattered and not in large schools right now.
Offshore boats have been connecting with good catches of gaffer dolphin, a few tuna and wahoo, and some white marlin and sailfish while working the break with rigged ballyhoo.
Diana Casto with a 33" bluefish she hooked while surf fishing from Ocracoke Island. Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Bait and Tackle.
Mary, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking up with some sea mullet, pigfish, and blues.
A cobia was caught last week.
The water temperature is 72 degrees.
Teresa, of Avon Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish (ranging from small ones to choppers) while working Gotcha plugs and other metal lures from the pier.
Several cobia were landed last week as well.
