Cold water last winter killed many speckled trout, but populations are on the rebound and the bite has picked up. Some nice fish are now active whereas smaller trout were providing most of the action in October. The rivers, especially the Elizabeth has been giving up lots of keepers. Swim baits, jerk baits and Mirro-Lures have been productive.
Spot are still biting in the deeper holes. Bloodworm Fish Bytes are catching some nice yellow-bellies. Striper fishing remains good in the rivers as many of the sleek fish have yet to work their way in to the main bay waters. The best bite is at night. Tautog have found their way into the bay and are cuddled up next to structure. That bite will only get better. Wreck fishing for flounder and sea bass is red-hot right now as many fish head for deep water with the falling temperatures. Puppy drum continue to move into the lower Bay waters and marsh edges. The 2nd through 4th islands continue to yield late-season blues, tautog, and an occasional king mackerel. Oceanfront surf fishing is seeing a slowing spot bite, along with scattered gray trout, speckled trout, and bluefish.
OBX
Pier anglers at Nags head are catching blow toads, spot, baby-sized bluefish, throwback speckled trout, red drum, flounder, Spanish mackerel, croaker, and sea mullet.
Surf and sound fishing at Hatteras Island is producing blow toads, bluefish, red drum, sea mullet, and black drum. A citation-sized Cubera Snapper was landed and released at the Avalon Pier.
The offshore fleet is returning with yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, and wahoo, along with occasional bigeye tuna and sailfish releases when the weather allows.
Nearshore & Inshore Anglers are finding good numbers of puppy drum, speckled trout, black drum, flounder and bluefish in the sounds and around the bridges.
