By T.H Spangler/Connie Barbour
The weather finally gave us a break and those anglers taking advantage were rewarded! Those fishing the lower Chesapeake Bay found plenty of sheepshead along the CBBT. Spadefish are on just about all structure. Nice Spanish mackerel are feeding in the tiderips. Big red drum, cobia, croaker and small spot are all available throughout the lower bay.
Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets are producing speckled trout and puppy drum. Look for feeding bluefish to invade at any time.
The coastal wrecks are holding sea bass, flounder, triggerfish and spadefish. Spanish mackerel fishing is very good along the oceanfront.
Eastern Shore anglers are finding croaker and flounder inside the seaside inlets. Tarpon are in the deeper holes. The shoals are producing big red drum and cobia.
Offshore, deep-droppers are finding excellent numbers of both golden and blueline tilefish, along with sea bass.
Mahi-mahi tops offshore trolling action. Billfish and wahoo numbers are on the rise just in time for local tournaments.
Outer Banks
Surf Fishing Report. TW’s noted that Wednesday was a scorching day with more of the same for Thursday. Ramp 38 is reporting Pompano and Sea Mullet. Buxton had Sea Mullet and some Spanish. Further south was slow going and the same for the beaches north of the inlet. There was a report of a Pompano caught in Nags Head yesterday – the first Pompano reported on our beaches. The water is very cold – 64 degrees.
Sound Fishing Report: The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway reported slow fishing but great crabbing.
Pier Fishing: Avalon: Slow.
Nags Head: A couple of Blues and a Spot.
Jennette’s: Spot, Sea Bass and Croaker.
Outer Banks: Had a good catch of 1-2 lb., Bluefish Wednesday on artificial lures. Lots of Crabs on Thursday morning.
Inshore Boats/near shore: There were King Mackerel and Albacore caught near shore while trolling boats decked Spanish, and Bluefish. Inlet boats caught some Sheepshead, Blues, Stripers and Trout. Sound boats caught some decent Trout.
Offshore Boats: The offshore fleet returned to the docks with Mahi, plenty Tilefish for the bottom fishermen and Blackfin. Also a Sailfish release. Not many boats sailed Wednesday.
Hatteras Offshore
Inshore anglers had a great time catching Bluefish and Red Drum (keepers and releases) on Wednesday. Offshore anglers returned with a variety of fish – King Mackerel, gaffer and bailer Dolphin, Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna. Bottom fishing slowed down due to a strong current. One Sailfish was released. The weather should remain nice throughout the week