THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 29, 1996 TAG: 9606290248
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
COLUMN: Fishing on the Outer Banks
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: 82 lines
A shift in the wind produced excellent offshore fishing along the Dare coast Thursday and Friday.
More than 31 billfish were released by the Pirates Cove fleet Thursday, including two white marlin by the Suspense, blue marlin by the Candlewick Lady, the Sea Toy and the Hog Wild, a sailfish by the Bounty Hunter and a white marlin by the Obsession.
Boats out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center reported similar action Thursday. Releases included a blue marlin and a white marlin by the Flying Fisherman, two sailfish by the Pollyanna, two blue marlin by the Sea Breeze and two white marlin by the Pelican.
The best billfishing was between the 40150 and the 40200 Loran lines. Yellowfin tuna also were plentiful and scattered dolphin were taken.
Billfishing was good again Friday, with more than 20 releases reported by the combined fleets. Dolphin fishing was good, but tuna were scarce. Most of the action was outside the 280 rocks.
Tuna, dolphin and billfish action was hot again Friday. The Top Billing scored a grand slam that included two white marlin, one blue marlin and a sailfish.
Other releases included three white marlin and one sailfish by the Lucky Chip, three sailfish by the Nancy K., white marlin by the Marlin Mania, the Sundowner, the Sea Creature, the Tuna Duck and Walt Spruill's Hatteras Fever, and sailfish by the Chopin and the Albatross.
Dolphin fishing was excellent and fair numbers of tuna and wahoo were landed.
Inshore trolling has been scrappy around Oregon Inlet recently, with only a few bluefish and Spanish mackerel taken. Cobia action has been slow.
Headboats in the Oregon Inlet area landed good numbers of flounder Thursday and plenty of croaker Friday.
Croaker fishing has been excellent in the Manns Harbor area at night along the bridge.
Pier fishing has been fair along the northern beaches.
Kitty Hawk Pier reported a good run of Spanish mackerel early Thursday. Spot, a few bluefish, sand perch and Spanish mackerel were taken during the remainder of the day. A few Spanish mackerel and bluefish were caught Friday.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish were landed from Avalon Pier Thursday morning. A few sea mullet and small bottom fish were caught in the afternoon. Fishing was slow Friday, with a few small bottom fish, Spanish mackerel and bluefish landed.
Some speckled trout, Spanish mackerel and tailor bluefish were taken off and on Thursday on Nags Head Pier. A few small bottom fish, speckled trout and a little bluefish were landed Friday morning.
Jennette's Pier reported good fishing Thursday, with small bottom fish, Spanish mackerel and tailor blues landed. Fishing was slow Friday, with scattered bluefish, Spanish mackerel and spot taken.
Good numbers of Spanish mackerel were caught from Outer Banks Pier Thursday morning. Fishing was slowed later, with only a few spot and other small bottom fish taken in the afternoon. Croaker fishing was good Friday morning, but tapered off during the day. One jack was released.
On Hatteras Island, Rodanthe Pier reported plenty of bluefish, spot, sea mullet, flounder and gray trout caught throughout the day Thursday. A few bottom fish and an occasional pompano were taken Friday.
Anglers on Avon Pier had slow fishing most of Thursday morning. Action improved during the afternoon, with sea mullet, speckled trout and bluefish landed. Fishing was slow Friday with small flounder and bottom fish taken.
King mackerel weighing 13 1/2 and 15 pounds were landed Thursday on Frisco Pier. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel were taken in the evening.
Three king mackerel were docked Friday morning, weighing as much as 22 pounds. A few Spanish mackerel and bluefish also were taken. Water in the area was crystal clear both days.
Surf fishermen landed some small bottom fish and tailor blues from Corolla to Oregon Inlet.
Small bottom fish were particularly plentiful around the south side of Oregon Inlet.
Small bluefish, spot and some nice sea mullet were beached by fishermen from Rodanthe to Buxton.
Some Spanish mackerel and bluefish were caught Thursday at Cape Point. Sea mullet and pompano were taken along the south beach. Some puppy drum and bluefish were landed early Friday.
Clear water along the Dare beaches should produce renewed cobia and king mackerel action during the next few days.
The water temperature was 75 degrees Friday in Duck, and 75 degrees at Frisco Pier on Hatteras Island. by CNB