THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606070449
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
COLUMN: FISHING ON THE OUTER BANKS
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: 53 lines
Billfishing was super again Thursday off Hatteras. Most of the action was well south of the Rockpile.
The Hatteras fleet released more than 70 white and blue marlin. Releases included a blue marlin and a white marlin by the Nancy K., two white marlin and a blue marlin by the Miss Edie III and three white marlin by the Hatteras Fever. The Connector and The Chaser released blue marlin.
Hatteras bluewater fishermen also landed good catches of yellowfin tuna and dolphin.
Quite a few boats out of the Oregon Inlet and Pirates Cove fleet made the long trip south to the center of billfish action near the 39900 Loran line. A good number of billfish releases were reported including two blue marlin by the CJ IV, two white marlin by the Phideaux, four white marlin by the Outer Limits, two white marlin by the Sea Witch and one white marlin by the Hog Wild. Blue marlin were released by The Bounty Hunter and The Obsession.
Tuna and dolphin fishing was fair with most of this action reported from around the Point.
Pier action was generally slow along the northern beaches Thursday.
Kitty Hawk Pier fishermen caught plenty of skates and a few small bottom fish.
On Avalon Pier a few gray trout, bluefish and bottom fish were landed during the morning. Small bottom fish were taken during the afternoon and a 36-inch cobia was released.
Nags Head Pier reported small gray trout, spots, croakers, and a few speckled trout landed.
Anglers on Jennette's Pier caught a few bottom fish throughout the day.
Outer Banks Pier reported Spanish mackerel taken under the pier lights during most of Wednesday night.
Spanish mackerel and small gray trout were landed early Thursday morning. Fishing was slow during the afternoon.
South of Oregon Inlet, fishermen on Rodanthe Pier caught a few bottom fish, bluefish and flounder.
On Avon Pier, keeper gray trout, sea mullet, spot and pigfish were taken. Anglers on Frisco Pier caught some spot and a few flounder.
Surf action along the northern beaches and around Oregon Inlet was slow. A few speckled trout, gray trout and small spot were beached in the surf from Rodanthe to Hatteras. Fishing at Cape Point was slow with a few tailor blues, Spanish mackerel, sea mullet, spot and flounder taken.
Small bluefish and flounder were landed by surfcasters from Ramp 55 to False Point.
The water temperature was 66 degrees Thursday at the Army Corps of Engineers Pier in Duck and 70 degrees at Frisco Pier on Hatteras Island.
Billfish action well south of the Hatteras Rockpile should be the best bet for weekend offshore fishermen. by CNB