Numerous species biting despite the heat
Thanks to NCDMF’s Brian Melott for this N.C. coastal fishing report of Dare, Hyde, Currituck and Beaufort Counties…
OCEAN: Offshore catches out of Hatteras were poor. Anglers caught only a few assorted species in very low numbers including wahoo, amberjack, blackfin tuna, barracuda and billfish. Bottom fishing in deep waters was much more productive with very high numbers of vermilion snapper and gray triggerfish, along with moderate amounts of sand tilefish, amberjack and black seabass. Near shore success rates were fair with Spanish mackerel, bluefish and spotted seatrout being most common. Offshore success via Oregon Inlet was similar with the same assorted species in low amounts. There were two exceptions, however, with limits of blueline tilefish and moderate white marlin catch and release action. Near shore action was good on most outings with high volume amounts of cutlassfish being routine, along with moderate amounts of Spanish mackerel and little tunny (false albacore).
INLETS/SOUNDS/BAYS: Fishing from Hatteras northward to Oregon Inlet was decent for the most part, bluefish and Spanish mackerel were caught in moderation, but only for the lucky few with lines in the water for their short-term appearance. Red drum and king mackerel were also caught with a modest improvement in regularity. Oregon Inlet northward catches were dominated by spotted seatrout and slot sized red drum catches made a marked improvement with almost everyone catching them.
PIER/BEACH: South beach catches were dominated by citation sized kingfish (sea mullet). Pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel were caught in moderation. North beach anglers caught sea mullet in high numbers. Spot filled coolers daily along with moderate amounts of silver perch and pigfish. Anglers fishing off the end of piers managed to catch a few king mackerel.
Be the first to comment