THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996 TAG: 9606130193
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 36 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Tight Lines
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: 91 lines
AN EXCELLENT early summer run of billfish developed off Hatteras recently.
Hatteras charters reported red-hot marlin action below the 40000 Loran line June 5.
Releases included two blue marlin, four white marlin and a sailfish by the Connector; two blue marlin and a white marlin by the Lucky Chip; two white marlin and a blue marlin by the Top Billing; three white marlin by the Citation and a blue marlin and a white marlin by the Capt. B.
Billfish action was good again the following day, well south of the rockpile. The Hatteras fleet released more than 70 white marlin and blue marlin.
Releases June 6 included a blue marlin and a white marlin by the Nancy K., two white marlin and a blue marlin by the Miss Edie III, three white marlin by the Hatteras Fever and blue marlin by the Connector and the Chaser.
Fishing slowed June 7 as the fish moved north to around the 280 rocks. Billfish catches continued to decline during the next several days.
Although the superb billfishing has held the attention of most anglers, some good catches of gaffer dolphin have also been reported from the Hatteras area. Scattered tuna, including some 80- to 90-pound yellowfin, and a few wahoo also have been taken.
Good billfish catches were reported by the Oregon Inlet fleet June 6, as quite a few charter craft made the long run to the center of the action south of Hatteras.
Releases included 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 Hag, a white marlin by the Hog Wild and blue marlin by the Bounty Hunter and the Obsession.
Billfish action was good the next day, with the Oregon Inlet and Pirate's Cove fleets fishing around the 280 rocks.
Releases included two blue marlin and a white marlin by the Obsession, a blue marlin and a white marlin by the Hog Wild and the Outer Limits, two blue marlin by the Phideaux, two white marlin by the Polyanna and the Bounty Hunter, a blue marlin and a white marlin by the Tar Heel, Candlewick Lady and the Hooker.
Action slowed the next few days, with only a few scattered billfish reported landed.
Tuna fishing off Oregon Inlet has been fair, with fish taken by anglers using everything from spreader bars to surface plugs.
Dolphin fishing has been spotty. Good catches of gaffers, including some limits, were reported June 8 and 9, but action was only fair June 10. Most of the tuna and dolphin action has been around and southeast of ``the point.''
Scattered wahoo have been taken. The best catch reported recently was of eight fish by the Pelican June 9.
Some limits of king mackerel were taken by several charters June 9 and 10.
Inshore trolling around Oregon Inlet has been slow overall, with only a few Spanish mackerel and bluefish landed. Several charters landed large channel bass outside Oregon Inlet June 7.
Headboats around Oregon Inlet have found good bottom fish action. Good catches of small croaker and pigfish have been reported. Some gray trout also have been landed.
Croaker fishing has been good in the Manns Harbor area. Rockfish continue to be plentiful, but must be released after catching.
The headboat Miss Hatteras reports good snapper fishing on day trips to deeper water offshore, southeast of the Cape.
Pier fishing along the northern beaches has been good for small bottom fish. Big fish have been scarce.
Anglers on Kitty Hawk Pier caught plenty of spot and croaker June 8 through 10 on the incoming tide. Spot fishing was particularly good June 10 throughout the afternoon.
Fishermen on Avalon Pier also have done well catching small bottom fish. Good numbers of 15-inch gray trout were taken by pier anglers June 10 early in the morning.
Nags Head Pier reported daily catches of small gray trout, croaker, sea mullet and spot. A few speckled trout were landed on artificial baits June 7 off and on during the day.
Anglers on Jennette's Pier have landed a few spot, small sea mullet, croaker, sand perch and triggerfish.
Lots of spot, croaker, some very small gray trout and small mullet have been caught by fishermen on Outer Banks Pier. Several keeper speckled trout were taken June 6 late in the afternoon.
Pier fishing on Hatteras Island has been fair.
Rodanthe Pier reported some small bottom fish, small blues and flounder. A good run of spot developed on the pier the morning of June 9. A 50-pound black tip shark was landed on live bait from the pier June 7.
Anglers on Avon Pier have caught scattered spot, small gray trout and a few bluefish. Some black tip sharks were landed from the pier June 8. Spot fishing was good on the pier during the morning of June 9.
Fishing was generally slow on Frisco Pier from June 4 through 9. Big fish have been scarce, with only one 35-pound cobia taken June 7. A 6-pound Spanish mackerel was landed the same day.
Spot fishing on Frisco Pier improved June 10, with plenty landed during the afternoon, along with a few bluefish and Spanish mackerel. by CNB