THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509140160
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 42 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Spot fishing has been the mainstay of pier anglers along the Outer Banks recently.
Kitty Hawk Pier reported scattered big spot taken on the rising tide almost daily. A particularly good run developed later in the day Sept. 9. Fish were taken two at a time during most of the afternoon. A few pompano, flounder and puppy drum also appeared in catches from the pier.
Anglers on Avalon Pier caught spot, a few pompano and small puppy drum during the past week. Some large sea mullet and a few Spanish mackerel were landed Sept. 11.
Spanish mackerel and small bluefish were taken from Nags Head Pier Sept. 8, 10 and 11. Jiggers proved to be the big fish producer. Spot, a few puppy drum and small speckled trout also have been landed.
Fishermen on Jennette's Pier have been catching fair numbers of spot regularly on the incoming tide. Some nice sea mullet and 1- to 2-pound speckled trout were taken on bloodworms during the afternoon Sept. 11.
Outer Banks Pier has reported fair to good spot fishing almost every day recently. Pompano, sea mullet, a few bluefish and sand perch also have been taken. A 4-pound spadefish and a 5-pound puppy drum were landed from the pier Sept. 9.
South of Oregon Inlet, fishermen on Rodanthe Pier have caught some big spot, a few puppy drum and scattered sea mullet. Fishing was slow Sept. 9 and 10 because of rough seas, but picked up Sept. 11 as conditions improved.
A big swell and rough seas have kept action to a minimum on Avon Pier recently. Only a few bottom fish have been taken.
Frisco Pier was temporarily closed because of damaged pilings but is now reopened.
Spot, sea mullet, pompano and some nice puppy drum have been landed by surfcasters along the northern beaches. The best action has been early in the morning on the rising tide. Fishing has been pretty good around the inlet, particularly on the south side. Some good catches of flounder have been reported by anglers using live finger mullet for bait.
Fishermen on the catwalk of the Oregon Inlet bridge had an excellent day Sept. 9, catching big puppy drum, sheepshead weighing as much as 9 pounds, lots of spot and a few jumbo gray trout.
Big waves and a strong current have adversely affected surf fishing from Rodanthe to Buxton. Anglers have managed to catch some bottom fish, bluefish and an occasional puppy drum.
Action at Cape Point also has suffered from heavy surf conditions. The best fishing at the Cape has been along the south beach, where bottom fish, tailor blues and a few puppy drum have been landed.
Puppy drum have been taken along the beach from Ramp 55 to Hatteras Inlet. Some gray trout and flounder have been beached along the sound side in the False Point area.
Inshore trolling around Oregon Inlet has been fair. Most of the trolling has been in the sound due to heavy wave action recently around the mouth of Oregon Inlet. Catches have consisted of some Spanish mackerel and small bluefish.
Some good catches of croaker have been taken by headboats fishing near the Oregon Inlet bridge at slack tide, but overall action has been slow. Fair numbers of croaker, small gray trout and little bluefish have been landed in the Croatan Sound.
Offshore fishing has held up well, considering the recent unstable weather conditions and rough seas. Dolphin fishing off Oregon Inlet has been good. A few tuna have been landed, and a handful of billfish released.
Dolphin also have been plentiful off Hatteras. Wahoo catches have been good, but not as good as the previous week. A few billfish have been released, but billfish action has been slow overall.
Surf fishing for small bottom fish should be good all along the Outer Banks as water temperatures begin to cool. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MASON PETERS
Stevie Vick Jr., 14, caught this tackle-busting 8 1/2-pound
largemouth bass at a Bells Island canal near his grandparents' home.
His parents are Cindy and Steve Vick of Chesapeake, Va.
by CNB