Well … we have officially entered our off-season. Saltwater fishing opportunities are very limited in January and February. Only the most hardcore anglers can deal with the frigid weather.
The best news off the water this week was that the tautog action is picking up on inshore structures. Dr. Ken Neill put the Healthy Grin over some nice fish Saturday.
Some stripers have been marked 15 miles offshore, well beyond our legal waters. The Bay season of course is closed now.
The black sea bass season is closed until February 1st. It tentatively reopens the 1st and runs through February 28th. The Rudee Head Boat will be running sea bass trips on Saturdays. They fill up very early, so give them a call as soon as possible.
North Carolina
The puppy drum have moved well south of Hatteras Island. Dogfish and skates are in the surf all most anywhere you wet a line. There should be some puffers around for those that enjoy the tender nuggets.
The big news on the OBX is the Skirt Chaser, out of Oregon Inlet, has caught the first blue fin tuna of the season. The fish measured 65 inches. There are also some nice yellowfin around as well.