By T.H. Spangler
The weather hasn’t been exactly cooperative and rainy, breezy conditions continue to slow fishing activity. However, there are plenty of fish around.
Boats trolling the oceanfront have been catching limits of Spanish mackerel. There are also plenty of cobia, but they have been hard to spot in choppy, overcast conditions. Chumming was the most effective method last week. A few nice fish were reported, some topping 50 pounds.
Flounder action remains excellent on ocean wrecks. Flounder are also in the bay and in local inlets. Look for them around structure and on rough bottoms. Remember, big baits for big flounder.
There are plenty of spadefish hanging around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and The Cell. Sheephead are also hanging around the bridge. There are some really large red drum in the area. Anglers fishing at night are having good success. Pier anglers are enjoying typical summertime action, with catches of spot, croaker, flounder and trout.
Before the weather went downhill, the offshore Mahi-Mahi fishing was excellent. Overnight charters had been returning with Mahi, tilefish and sea bass. Billfish action is heating up with the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament fast approaching August 22-25.
Outer Banks
Surf Fishing: There were spot, croaker and bluefish reported in Avon. Further down the beach, Buxton had sea mullet and pompano while Frisco anglers also beached some pompano. Hatteras reported bluefish. There were some croaker and sea mullet reported on this side of Oregon Inlet. Surf fishing is slow overall. The water is cold at 67 degrees and it is murky.
Sound Fishing: The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway reported spot, croaker, trout and lots of crabs.
Pier Fishing: Avalon: Slow.
Nags Head: Bluefish, spot and pinfish.
Jennette’s: Black sea bass, spot and croaker.
Outer Banks: Slow.
Inshore/nearshore: Lots of citations were given for red drum releases on Wednesday and one for a cobia as well.
Offshore: Not much to report from offshore. Only a couple of boats sailed on Wednesday but there were good numbers of blackfin tuna caught as well as some Mahi.
Hatteras Offshore
Almost 20″ of rain fell in the last 10 days and left some pretty soggy conditions along the island. The sun was certainly welcome Wednesday and seemed to lift everyone’s spirits. Inshore anglers enjoyed fishing the Pamlico Sound with some big drum releases and some pompano. Offshore charters experienced a good dolphin bite (some gaffers and limits of bailers) along with a few wahoo. There were several blue marlin spotted and one caught.