Dr. Julie Ball
As anglers keep an eye on the weather for fishable openings, the saltwater temperatures continue to cool, encouraging the fall bite to transform into a more winter-like trend.
No one is anticipating the onset of the winter fishery more than local striped bass enthusiasts. While Bay anglers are now content with rockfish ranging from school-sized up to nearly 40-inches, the real action begins when the big fish arrive in lower Bay waters over the next few weeks. In the meantime, the school-sized fish are responding for casters working the pilings of the lower Bay structures, while all four islands of the CBBT are giving up stripers on a moving tide, with many ranging to around 30-inches or more. Wind Cheaters work well, especially when thrown at the rocks near the spine at dawn or dusk. The HRBT is also holding plenty of schoolies, while the JRB and the MMBT are giving up fish to around 28-inches. For those fishing eels at the High Rise section of the CBBT and near the 3rd island, the best action is yet to come, although scattered rockfish pushing to 36 and 38-inches are showing lately, especially at night.
Speckled trout action is still not encouraging. In Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets, anglers are working for their catches, with most specks below the minimum size limit. But a few nicer keepers ranging up to around 21-inches are still keeping anglers interested. Most agree that Mirrolures will work, but Gulp lures are edging out other artificial baits in most protected water venues. Some puppy drum and schoolie rockfish are also providing some action in shallow backwater areas, with cut mullet working well.
Tautog action is still on the rise on lower Bay structures and coastal wrecks, with the Bay action leading the way with some good hauls of fish. Offerings of crabs and clams presented along the pilings and the tubes of the CBBT are rewarding anglers with tautog to over 6-pounds. A few lingering sheepshead are adding to tog bounties within the Bay, but not for much longer.
Flounder reports from Bay waters are hard to come by, but some nice flatfish are still coming from both coastal and offshore structures. The Triangle Wrecks area is a favorite hot spot for flounder, where some fish are pushing to 6.5-pounds. A few nice sea bass and triggerfish are also available on these offshore structures. Big chopper bluefish , some over 18-pounds, are circling the Triangle Wreck area, where trolling, live-bait, and jigs are effective.
When boats can get out, good deep dropping prospects are available. Plenty of nice blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, black bellied rosefish, and a variety of grouper are lurking along the edges of the Norfolk Canyon in 300 to 600 feet of water, or more. Big sea bass are also a welcome by-catch, with squid, jigs, and cut bait getting the job done.
Nags Head
Tw’s Reports. (11/26/15)
We could not ask for better weather for Thanksgiving. No rain is site until Monday. There are a few Trout and Bluefish biting along the beaches. The winds are NE at 14 and the water temp is 57 degrees.
Sound Fishing Report: No report from the Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway. Stripers to 21-inches are biting in the sound.
Pier Fishing
Avalon: Small Trout.
Nags Head: Trout and Black Drum.
Jennette’s: No report.
Outer Banks: Bluefish and Black Drum.
Inshore Boats/Nearshore Report: Stripers were caught but not many keepers.
Oregon Inlet
Wednesday, November 25, 2015. Oregon Inlet Fishing Center noted that
anglers arrived early on a brisk, chilly November morning at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. Six boats sailed off-shore and returned with good numbers of yellow-fin and wahoo, including A 62-lb. trophy citation wahoo. There were good numbers of mahi brought in as well.
Two near-shore boats sailed on morning and afternoon trips and reported very good striper fishing with limits or near limits. 1 boat returning in with their limit and the other with near limit. Two inshore boats also sailed on morning and afternoon trips. One boat reported a limit.
Hatteras Surf
Red Drum Tackle report (Tuesday).
It has been a good day for fishing. Puppy Drum are everywhere. The Jetties had lots of Puppy Drum and a few Black Drum. Ramp 43 had Puppy Drum, Black Drum and small Speckle trout. Hatteras Inlet let had some nice keeper Flounder. Ramp 38 had all the Bluefish you wanted. Ramp 32 had a good bite on Puppy Drum with some Blue fish and Trout. Avon Pier had lots of Puppy Drum also. We have fresh bait and all your supplies for fishing.
On Wednesday, it was another good bite on Puppy Drum. The Jetties were pretty hot today. Stephanie Wehner and Aaron Mayes both caught 18-inch Puppy Drum. Ramp 55 had keeper Flounders again, Puppy Drum and Bluefish. Ramp 32 had all the Bluefish you wanted. Avon had Puppy Drum.