THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606200180
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 40 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Tight Lines
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: 90 lines
Dolphin fishing in the Gulf Stream off the Dare Coast has been exceptionally good recently.
Limits of these fine bluewater fish have been taken consistently by both the Hatteras and the Oregon Inlet fleets. Not only have dolphin been abundant, but many have been landed that weighed more than 40 pounds.
In addition to dolphin, Pirates Cove and Oregon Inlet charters have landed fairly good numbers of yellowfin tuna. A few big-eye tuna also have appeared in catches, including two each taken by the Pelican and the Sea Breeze June 14.
Billfishing has been fair, with a few released each day.
Two white marlin were released by the Carolinian and two sailfish by the Dare Devil June 12. Four sailfish were released by the Fishing Frenzy June 15. Most of the action has been south of ``the point.''
Tuna fishing has been slow off Hatteras. But billfishing has been steady.
Blue marlin were released by the Sea Angel, the Good Times, the Hatteras Blue, the Tuna Duck and the Live Wire June 14. A white marlin was released by the Marlin Mania and a sailfish was released by the Eagle.
White marlin were released June 15 by the Sea Creature, the Sea Angel, the Release, and the Cuz. Two white marlin were released by the Hatteras Fever II, and a sailfish by the Top Billing.
Action on June 17 was even better, with at least 15 billfish released by the Hatteras fleet.
Inshore trolling around the Oregon Inlet bar has been excellent lately. Good catches of nice-sized Spanish mackerel and small bluefish have been reported.
Cobia fishing has been good a little way offshore and south of the inlet on tide lines. The Sea Hunter landed five big cobia in the area June 16. Fair numbers of king mackerel also have been landed a few miles offshore.
Headboats operating around Oregon Inlet have landed small croaker, pigfish and gray trout in the sound. Headboats fishing east of the Oregon Inlet bridge have caught bluefish, Spanish mackerel, pigfish and some triggerfish.
Croaker fishing in the Manns Harbor area has been great on shell beds south of the bridge. Striped bass are plentiful in the area in a variety of sizes. The season is currently closed, but anglers can catch and release all they want.
Pier fishing along the northern beaches has been fair.
Anglers on Kitty Hawk Pier have caught plenty of skates, a few spot, sea mullet and small gray trout. Some triggerfish and small bluefish also have been landed. Several cobia have been seen.
Some small bottom fish, small gray trout and bluefish have been taken on Avalon Pier. A good run developed the morning of June 16. Most of the 14- to 15-inch fish were taken on jiggers and bucktail rigs.
A few speckled trout were taken from Nags Head Pier June 15 during the early morning. Bluefish, small gray trout and bottom fish also have been taken. Good numbers of bluefish were landed from the pier from 6:30 p.m. until dark June 17.
Fishermen on Jennette's Pier caught plenty of small bluefish June 16 and 17 during the afternoon. A few small bottom fish and triggerfish also have been landed.
Outer Banks Pier has reported good spot fishing almost every day. Some sea mullet, small gray trout and bluefish also have been taken. Most of the blues have been caught on jiggers.
South of Oregon Inlet, Rodanthe Pier fishermen have caught mainly small bottom fish and gray trout. A few Spanish mackerel were landed from the pier June 14 through 17.
Avon Pier anglers have landed fairly good catches of spot, a few sea mullet and pigfish daily on the incoming tide. A 42-pound cobia was landed from the pier by Allen Harrelson of Richmond June 15.
Frisco Pier reported generally slow fishing, with only a few small bottom fish and bluefish taken. A good run of blues hit the pier during the afternoon June 16. But the run was short-lived.
Although water temperatures have been high, big fish have been scarce recently. The largest cobia reported so far this season was landed June 11. The big fish, weighing 77 1/2 pounds, was taken by Lester Hambrick of Buxton.
Surf fishing from Corolla to Oregon Inlet has been slow. Anglers have caught scattered small bottom fish on bloodworms from deeper sloughs on the incoming tide.
Some good catches of spot and croaker have been landed from the catwalk on the south end of the Bonner Bridge across Oregon Inlet. Action also has been good off the revetment.
Surf fishermen from Rodanthe to Buxton have caught a few bottom fish, tailor blues and gray trout.
A few puppy drum, bluefish and flounder have been landed from Cape Point. Fair numbers of Spanish mackerel were beached just before dark June 13 and 14. Most of the fish were taken on Sting Silvers and Crippled Herrings.
Scattered bottom fish have been taken in the Frisco area from the motels to Ramp 55.
Some Spanish mackerel have been landed around Hatteras Inlet by surfcasters early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Action in the area has been consistent when water conditions have been good. by CNB