THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 2, 1996 TAG: 9607020284
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
COLUMN: FISHING ON THE OUTER BANKS
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: 85 lines
A variety of fish, large and small, were landed from fishing piers along the Dare coast during the weekend.
Anglers on Kitty Hawk Pier caught spot, croaker, sea mullet, small gray trout and released a few big jacks Saturday. Fishing slowed Sunday, with only a few spot and croaker taken.
Avalon Pier reported a good run of 13- to 14-inch tailor bluefish early Saturday. The fish, landed primarily on jiggers, were inshore near the beach. Some bottom fish were taken and a king mackerel was lost later in the day. Only a few bottom fish and small flounder were caught Sunday.
Nags Head Pier fishermen also caught plenty of blues Saturday morning. Small bottom fish and a few bluefish were landed during the remainder of the day. Spot fishing was good Sunday morning, but slowed during the afternoon.
A few Spanish mackerel were landed and a 27-pound jack was released Saturday on Jennette's Pier. Fishing was slow Sunday, with only a few spot and small flounder taken.
Fishing was slow Saturday morning on Outer Banks Pier, but action improved in the afternoon with sea mullet and spadefish taken on fresh shrimp. A few sea mullet, spot and small flounder were landed Sunday.
Northern beach piers reported good fishing Monday, with bluefish, Spanish mackerel and bottom fish landed steadily.
South of Oregon Inlet, fishermen on Rodanthe Pier caught scattered spot, croaker and mullet Saturday and Sunday.
Avon Pier reported cobia weighing 46, 43 and 36 pounds decked late Friday afternoon. Some Spanish mackerel and small bottom fish were taken Saturday. Small bottom fish were landed from choppy water Sunday.
Four king mackerel weighing 8, 9, 12 and 17 pounds, a 4-pound Spanish mackerel and tailor bluefish were caught from Frisco Pier Saturday. Six king mackerel were landed Sunday, including a 50-pounder by Darnell Willis of Frisco. Several other king mackerel and a big tarpon were lost.
Piers on Hatteras Island from Rodanthe to Buxton caught only bottom fish Monday, because the water was dirty.
Good numbers of bluefish and Spanish mackerel were taken Monday on Frisco Pier. A 32-pound king mackerel was landed by Troy Webb of Farmville, N.C.
Small bluefish, spot, a few sea mullet and an occasional Spanish mackerel were beached by surfcasters from Corolla to Oregon Inlet Saturday. Mainly small bottom fish were landed Sunday.
Some nice catches of blues and croaker were landed on fresh mullet by anglers fishing on the north side of Oregon Inlet near the bridge. Bottom fish, small flounder and some gray and speckled trout were taken from the inlet's south side.
Spot and small bluefish were landed along the beach from Rodanthe to Buxton Saturday. A few blues and plenty of croaker were taken Sunday.
Some Spanish mackerel were caught by surf fishermen at Cape Point early in the morning and just before dark throughout the weekend.Some puppy drum, including a 40-incher, were landed Saturday night. Scattered flounder were taken along the south beach, and a few pompano on the north beach Sunday.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been good early mornings and late afternoons in the surf at Hatteras Inlet. Small bottom fish and bluefish have been taken along the beach from Frisco to False Point.
Inshore trolling was scrappy around Oregon Inlet during the weekend, with a few bluefish and Spanish mackerel taken. Headboats in the area caught croaker and small gray trout.
Dolphin fishing was good southeast of Oregon Inlet Saturday. A few tuna also were taken. The best action was outside the 280 rocks.
A number of billfish were released, including three white marlin on the Hooker and the Suspense, two sailfish and a white marlin on the Right Hook, two white marlin on the Temptress and a blue marlin and a white marlin on the Country Girl.
Dolphin fishing was fairly good Sunday. Scattered tuna were taken and a few wahoo were landed, including an 85-pounder on the Rebait. About 20 billfish were released near the 280 rocks.
Inshore trolling for Spanish mackerel was good around Hatteras Inlet where a 7-pound, 7-ounce fish was taken by Drew Woodard of Hertford on a ballyhoo Saturday.
Hatteras charters landed plenty of dolphin and a few tuna Saturday. Billfish were released, including one white marlin by the Harper's Folly and a blue marlin by the Chaser.
Dolphin fishing was good again Sunday. Wahoo fishing improved and a few tuna were taken.
Anglers on Walt Spruill's Hatteras Fever released a blue marlin and a sailfish. Other releases included blue marlin by the Hatteras Fever II and the Release, and a sailfish by the Eagle.
Cobia action should improve on northern beach piers and for boaters off Oregon Inlet if winds continue to blow onshore.
The water temperature was 74 degrees Monday at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pier in Duck, and 75 degrees at Frisco Pier on Hatteras Island. by CNB