Outer Banks Angling: Spring break for fishermen

It seems as if it has been an era since my last fishing report in December. It definitely feels like it. I missed some good striper and bluefin tuna fishing, along with a lot of fishing hot-button topics. However, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just days after Christmas, and I managed to tear my Achilles tendon, so I was quite distracted.

I’ve since lost my mom and my foot is almost done healing, but I am ready to jump right back into the mix and get back on track.

For the surf and pier fisherman on Hatteras Island, the spring run of sea mullet and blow toads has begun. From Pea Island to Hatteras Inlet, these favorite table fares are being caught in good numbers. Anglers will want to try and target them around the top of the high tide, while using bottom rigs with small hooks baited with bloodworms or shrimp.

A variety of different sized bluefish have also been taken in the Hatteras surf. You can use cut bait on a fireball rig or try one of the many different bluefish lures sold in area tackle shops.

The real story from the surf is the overwhelming amount of flounder being caught at Cape Point.

Those who have taken a short, quarter-mile walk to the Point around a resource closure have been extremely successful. Limit upon limit of keeper flounder has been lugged off the Point for well over 10 days now. Using a double, jig-head rig tipped with white, Berkley gulp shrimp grubs and a trout rod, you can definitely have a good crack at these fish.

Some really nice red drum have also been taken in the Cape Point area. Once again, you’ll need to park next to the closure and walk in below the low-tide line to get near the hot spots, but it’s worth it.

I recommend speaking with the local tackle shop employees to be absolutely clear about the walking rules, but I assure you it is not difficult.

Alan Sutton from Tradewinds tackle reported good sea mullet fishing on Ocracoke Island, along with some scattered bluefish. He also said that the inshore boats were doing really well sight casting big red drum on the prettier days.

The Hatteras fishing fleet has been doing well with blackfin tuna, along with an occasional yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi. There was very little to report from the inshore fleet, except the occasional big red drum taken and released while sight casting.

The Oregon Inlet fishing fleet has also been doing well with blackfin tuna. Scattered bluefin and a few mahi were also reported.

I hope that each of you can take a nice long week or weekend off for the coming holiday and join us. The weather forecast looks pleasant for next week, so let’s hope it stays that way.

Go fishing.

ATTENTION: Just as I finished typing the last word of this report, I was contacted and told that Cape Point was closed to all pedestrian walk-ins. This is why it is imperative that you know exactly what you are doing. Check with the local tackle shops.

(Rob Alderman is the owner of the Hatteras Island Fishing Militia website and is a kayak fishing guide. Rob has 10 years of fishing experience on the Outer Banks, and is host of the “Outer Banks Angler” television show. You can follow more of his extreme adventures or contact him at www.FishMilitia.com)