Hatteras – May 29, 2014
Edwin Barnes with a citation bull dolphin he hooked while trolling a weedline 30 miles off Hatteras Inlet on the “Whatever.”
Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf casters are seeing action with a variety of bottom fish including sea mullet, croaker, lots of small flounder, and some fat pompano while soaking shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms on bottom rigs.
The drum bite along the soundside from the Tri-Villages to Avon has turned back on as well, and anglers are hooking good numbers of slot and over-slot reds while soaking cut baits and casting lures on the back side of the island.
Ervin, of The Fishin’ Hole, reports that boats have been finding solid numbers of cobia off Rodanthe and Salvo over the past week and hooking them while sight-casting.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are biting casting lures that anglers are working from the beach and pier.
Those soaking bottom rigs in the surf are connecting with more blues and sea mullet, spot, croaker, and pompano.
Joel Gretsch, of Avon, with a 54 lb. cobia he landed after sight-casting a bucktail jig on a 7′ Century Ultimate Boat Rod.
And there’s been a good red drum bite in the sound, particularly in the evening hours.
Jamie, of Rodanthe Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some flounder, croaker, sea mullet, and sheepshead.
A 42” cobia was also landed from the pier last week.
Sarah, of Frank and Fran’s, reports that surf casters have had plenty of action lately, landing sea mullet, croaker, pompano, black and puppy drum, sheepshead, gray trout, and more. Shrimp, bloodworms, and cut baits are producing most of the action along the beachfront.
Those working casting lures from the beach are connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Some cobia have also been caught from the beach at Avon and Cape Point. Large cut baits on fish finder rigs are fooling the cobia.
Paul Freeman III with a 48 lb. gag grouper (a potential NC state record) he hooked while bottom fishing off Hatteras Inlet on the “Bluefin” out of Teach’s Lair Marina.
Bev, of Frisco Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing some large pompano and sea mullet in the surf locally, with shrimp and sand fleas fooling most of the fish.
Bluefish and some spanish mackerel are taking an interest in metal lures that anglers are working from the beaches.
Surf casters and boaters are also hooking good numbers of cobia at present.
Kyle, of Frisco Rod and Gun, reports that anglers are hooking sea mullet, pompano, black drum, and other bottom feeders on shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas.
Surf anglers have also seen action with flounder, puppy drum, and bluefish recently, and several cobia have been landed from the beach over the week.
There’s still solid puppy drum action going on inshore in the sound.
Inshore boats are finding cobia around Hatteras Inlet and off the beaches, and they’re hooking them while sight-casting.
The offshore action has been consistent as well, with good numbers of gaffer dolphin and scattered wahoo, king mackerel, and yellowfin and blackfin tuna. Billfish have also arrived in good numbers, and boats are releasing sailfish along with white and blue marlin. Both the billfish and meatfish are taking an interest in ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing plenty of action with triggerfish and black sea bass.
Jay, of Bite Me Sportfishing, reports that the gaffer dolphin bite has remained solid on most recent days, with some blackfin tuna mixed in and scattered yellowfin and wahoo bites.
Billfish have also shown up, and anglers have released blue and white marlin over the past week.
JAM, of Teach’s Lair Marina, reports that the blue water fleet is still connecting with good numbers of gaffer dolphin and scattered tuna and wahoo. Billfish action is still going on as well, and anglers have released several blue and white marlin over the past week.
Bottom fishing is producing plenty of action with triggerfish, tilefish, sea bass, and more.
Cobia fishing has heated up, too, and boats are hooking them in and around Hatteras Inlet while bait fishing and sight-casting to fish they spot on the surface.
Surf anglers are reporting red drum (from puppies to citations), pompano, sea mullet, and more.
