Northern Beaches – April 23, 2015
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action while surf fishing at Hatteras. Black drum, puppy drum, sea mullet, puffers, and more are biting in the suds to the south, and shrimp and cut baits are fooling most of the fish.
Stephen Ohlinger, Jr., of New Haven, WV, with a citation red drum he caught and released from Jennette’s Pier in mid-April.
Anglers bottom fishing from the local piers are hooking good numbers of croaker, pufferfish, sea mullet, and other panfish on shrimp, bloodworms, and other baits.
Anglers casting lures around Oregon Inlet are connecting with puppy drum.
Some small striped bass have been rewarding those working lures from the little bridge between Manteo and Nags Head.
The offshore fleet is seeing their season kick into gear, and dolphin are arriving in increasing numbers by the week. Yellowfin tuna are still feeding in their usual spots off Oregon Inlet, and boats landed several bigeye and bluefin tuna over the past week as well.
Seth Rary, of TW’s Tackle, with a red drum he hooked while casting near the Bonner Bridge.
Some wahoo and blue marlin releases have also been reported by local offshore boats. Skirted ballyhoo are doing most of the damage on the blue water predators.
Dave, of Skiligal Sportfishing, reports that the season has gotten underway and the fish are biting. Dolphin have shown up in good numbers, and boats are putting some solid gaffers on the docks. Anglers can expect the dolphin bite to continue picking up as the spring wears on and more fish arrive from the south.
Tuna are also feeding off the inlet, and anglers landed some solid yellowfins and a 100 lb. class bigeye last week. A few wahoo are around as well, and some mako sharks added even more action to the fishing.
All the offshore pelagics are falling for ballyhoo trolled under skirted lures like sea witches.
Melissa, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that more boats are running by the day and the blue water action is heating up for the season. Dolphin have arrived off Oregon Inlet, and most days boats are bringing good numbers to the docks.
There are still plenty of yellowfin tuna feeding offshore and finding their way into the fish boxes as well, along with an odd bluefin and bigeye tuna. Wahoo and a few blue marlin and mako sharks are also taking an interest in trollers’ baits.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been connecting with decent hauls of panfish like sea mullet, gray trout, croaker, and pufferfish. Shrimp, squid, and bloodworms have been the best bets for the bottom feeders. Stingrays and skates are also still plentiful and taking an interest in anglers’ bottom rigs.
