Speckled trout action is picking up inside Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet and in the Eastern Shore creeks. Anglers are catching a lot of undersize fish, but there are keepers mixed in. Leadheads with a twister tail, or Gulps are the most popular baits, but topwaters seem to be catching the larger fish.
Puppy drum, some in the 20 to 28 inch class, are in the same areas as the specks. Larger red drum are still being caught in the bay and in the surf from Sandbridge to Hatteras. On a recent trip Craig Paige and crew had a great day landing 20 red drum, several were citation release sizes. As a bonus, they landed a 7-½ pound flounder and a 9 foot sand tiger shark.
Anglers are starting to target stripers inside the rivers and inlets. They are also available around islands of the CBBT. We still haven’t had our big spot run. The big yellow bellies should show anytime. Tautog fishing is just around the corner as water temps continue to drop.
Offshore, there were nice kings caught before the blow. Tilefish, snowy grouper and other bottom dwellers continue to bite well for those deep dropping. Crews that have been targeting swordfish have been having success. Elson Myers caught a 530 pounder last week.
Outer Banks
Surf Fishing: Bluefish continue to be the fish of the day on all the south beaches. Avon anglers also caught blow toads and sea mullet. Buxton catches added puppy drum. Frisco had some puppies and pompano. The beaches north of the inlet reported some trout and bluefish but overall slow.
Sound Fishing: The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway reported stripers and trout.
Pier Fishing: Avalon reported 2 red drum and trout to 18-inches. 18 inch.
Nags Head: Bluefish, trout, and 2 red drum caught at night.
Jennette’s: Bluefish, trout, pompano, sea mullet, black drum and one red drum.
Outer Banks: Spot, bluefish, a 26” puppy, Spanish, black drum, blow toads and flounder.
Offshore Boats Report: Off Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet they have had some nice hauls of blackfin tuna, a few yellowfin and big eyes, some mahi-mahi and wahoo on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday were blowouts. .
The winds are NW at 14 and the water temp is 66 degrees. Mostly sunny, windy, choppy swells.
Hatteras
Lots of boats were out fishing Tuesday with temps in the upper 60’s. Inshore boats found excellent red drum bites and some Spanish mackerel. Offshore boats were catching triggerfish, a few dolphin, blackfin tuna and citation-sized wahoo.