NC coastal fishing report for early April

Multiple species biting for NC fishing report

The NC coastal fishing report for early April is a promising one. The spring bite is really heating up along the coast, and anglers have been hauling in mixed bags of fish up and down the NC coast as March gives way to April.

Oceans East Bait and Tackle – Nags Head said it’s all about the tuna for offshore anglers fishing out of the Oregon Inlet area. Both yellowfins and blackfins have been chomping on a variety of baits and lures.

John Abel of Kill Devil Hills said some anglers are trolling for the tuna, but others are catching them while jigging the bottoms. Amberjacks and other assorted bottom fish have been mixed in with their catches. Trolling anglers are starting at The Point. Those jigging have been doing most of their fishing around the 500 line.

In the Hatteras Island area, Frank & Fran’s Fisherman’s Friend reports good numbers of red drum are biting in the surf. Anglers are also catching some black drum, including a nice 22-inch “big ugly” last week. Numerous sharks are also keeping beach-bound anglers busy.

The bite will only get better as spring weather warms the ocean

The red drum — including some citation fish like Morgan Collis’ 44-inch bull — and the sharks are biting throughout the day and at night for anglers

The backwaters around Avon are also seeing some good red drum action, including some oversized fish. MirrOlures are also catching some speckled trout, with an occasional redfish smashing these lures.

Frisco Rod and Gun said fishing right at sunset has been the ticket for some big red drum in recent days. Cob mullet — and bigger — are also showing up around Ramp 49 and 55, along with some blowtoads and puppy drum. A few wahoo are being caught offshore, and those fish should begin to pick up even more as the ocean continues to warm up.

The fishing report from the folks at Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Bait & Tackle at Atlantic Beach said anglers can do no wrong right now. Numerous species are biting just about anything anglers are throwing at them. Sea mullets (whiting), gray trout, and redfish are biting strong. Fiddler crabs have been producing some solid sheepshead, including a 7-pounder caught by Jeremy Marlow at the High Rise Bridge.

Anglers venturing out have been getting into some bonito, bluefish, ringtails, and tautogs. One angler caught a 5-pound tautog on Easter Sunday.