OBX trout bite is hottest it’s been all year

Here is this week’s Outer Banks fishing report from Sneaky Pete

Aside from Hurricane Dorian threatening to pummel the North Carolina coast this week, anglers on the Outer Banks have been having a grand time. Capt. Pete Cruger of Sneaky Pete OBX Fishing Charters out of Nags Head said last week, the fishing was very good, especially for speckled trout.

A break is now in order, thanks to Dorian. But Cruger expects the bite to pick right back up and remain just as hot, if not hotter in the coming weeks.

“This past week was some of the best speckled trout fishing of the year. The cooler weather had them very aggressive, and they were concentrated in areas where the water was warmer and not too clear. We’ve caught plenty of keeper-sized trout. And some of those have been quite nice,” he said.

The redfish weren’t quite as cooperative as the specks, but Cruger doesn’t necessarily view that as a negative.

Redfish population has bright future along OBX

“We still caught quite a few redfish on the flats after the wind shift, and they’ve been in the 32 to 36-inch range. Overall, the bigger red drum that have been biting all summer on southwest winds were a little less cooperative this past week. But the good news is that several schools of 25-inch keeper redfish have started to show up in the last few days,” he said.

And Cruger sees even more good news from the reds for the future in the area.

“Last year’s banner spawn class of reds are growing fast. They’re mostly in the 14 to 16-inch range now. And they’ve been thick in shallow areas all around the Outer Banks area. The next few years should be great for slot redfish,” he said.

The Spanish mackerel also kept Cruger and his clients busy last week.

“Spanish mackerel made a strong showing the last few days. They are cutting bait under birds, and they have made for some great light tackle casting action. The cooler weather and calm winds made our trips very enjoyable last week,” he said.

Now, Cruger said it’s time to see what the hurricane brings.

“We are now bracing for the possibility of a major hurricane heading our way, so it’s time to make preparations. We wish good luck to everyone along the coast,” he said.

Click here for the latest fishing report from Oceans East – Nags Head.