Can you believe it’s September? Where did the summer go? September means back to school, back to work and back to catching flounder. Big flounder. Now is when the big fellas bite. A 9-pounder was weighed this week along with several in the 6-pound category. Live spot is the bait of choice for big flatfish.
The end of cobia season is approaching but they are still in the bay and will hit topwater baits if they see them.
Red Drum remain near the CBBT. Black drum catches are also reported. Spanish Macs are all over the Bay waters and along the coast. One was weighed in at a whopping 10-pounds! Croaker catches are improving, some nice fish at that. Lots of spot are biting, but they are still smallish. The piers are catching spot, Spanish, croakers, flounder, and ribbonfish.
Surf temps have been in the 80’s along the Outer Banks, and the winds have been calm, resulting in excellent catches from the surf, piers, and on the boats. Spanish mackerel have been all over the beaches for the last few days. Some false albacore have also been reported from some of the piers. Small croakers and keeper trout are being reeled in from the surf and piers. Mahi action has very good, some being caught within 10 miles of the beaches. Billfish action is improving daily. Blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish flags are now flying on the poles of the blue water fleet.
Freshwater
Bass and crappie are making the transition to fall patterns. The tidal rivers continue to be largemouth hot spots. On the upper James, topwater baits are a hot ticket. At Anna, stripers are being caught more frequently with topwater baits, as they feed in open water. Big catfish are biting after dark at Buggs Island.
