THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 20, 1996 TAG: 9608200345
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
COLUMN: Fishing on the Outer Banks
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: 86 lines
Billfish action continued at a torrid pace northeast of Oregon Inlet during the weekend. More than 90 white marlin were released, along with a few blue marlin, by charter and private boats in the area around the triple zeroes Saturday.
Releases included seven white marlin by both the Billchaser and the C.J. IV, six white marlin by the Southern Exposure, and five white marlin by both the Marlin Fever and the Sea Witch.
A 707-pound blue marlin was landed by the Temptress. The fish couldn't be released because it had died during the battle.
White marlin fishing was even hotter Sunday, with more than 100 fish released. Lots of fish were seen chasing bait on the surface from the 40950 to the 41175 Loran lines in depths ranging from 45 fathoms to well over 100.
The Pelican led the pack with nine billfish releases. Six fish each were released by the Fintastic, the Prime Time, the C.J. IV and the First Crack. A blue marlin was released by the Phideaux.
Dolphin and tuna fishing were slow off Oregon Inlet during the weekend. Quite a few tuna were seen Sunday, but they weren't very cooperative.
Inshore trolling was good Saturday, with plenty of small bluefish and some Spanish mackerel taken. The best Spanish mackerel action was south of Oregon Inlet a short distance offshore. Headboats in the area landed plenty of croaker.
Spanish mackerel trolling was good Sunday along the beach from the Bodie Island Light north to the water tower. A few bluefish also were taken.
Billfishing was slow off Hatteras during the weekend. A sailfish was released by the Top Billing, and a white marlin and a blue marlin were released by the Marlin Mania Saturday. Sunday releases included sailfish by the Chaser and the Top Billing.
Fair catches of dolphin and a few wahoo also were landed during the weekend. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel were caught by charters trolling around the shoals off Hatteras Inlet.
Pier fishing was slow overall Saturday and Sunday along the Dare Coast.
A couple of keeper flounder were landed Saturday and a few small bottom fish Sunday on Kitty Hawk Pier.
Avalon Pier reported a few bluefish and Spanish mackerel taken Saturday. Fishing was slow Sunday, with a few spot and tiny flounder landed.
Some Spanish mackerel were landed early Saturday on Nags Head Pier. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel were taken just before sunset. A few Spanish mackerel were landed Sunday morning, but fishing was slow the rest of the day.
Anglers on Jennette's Pier caught a few mullet and small flounder Saturday morning. Some Spanish mackerel were landed late in the afternoon. Fishing was slow Sunday.
Spot, a few croaker, small flounder, a few Spanish mackerel and some pompano were caught from Outer Banks Pier Saturday. A 17-pound cobia was released. A couple a sea mullet, pompano and Spanish mackerel were landed Sunday morning, but afternoon fishing was slow.
South of Oregon Inlet, Rodanthe Pier reported a good run of Spanish mackerel just before dark Saturday. A 3-pound, 12-ounce flounder was taken Sunday, along with a few pompano and some sheepshead.
Avon Pier fishermen caught few fish Saturday, but landed some small bottom fish Sunday.
Crystal-clear water kept action to a minimum on Frisco Pier. A few spot and croaker were landed Saturday, and a handful of sea mullet and pompano were taken Sunday.
Pier fishing along the Dare Coast was slow Monday, although a few small cobia were taken.
Surf fishing along the northern beaches was fair during the weekend. Some nice pompano and sea mullet were landed by fishermen using sand fleas for bait early each morning. Some small spot and a few blues also were taken. Spanish mackerel were beached at several locations on Stingsilvers Sunday morning.
Lots of small flounder, a few bluefish and small bottom fish were taken around Oregon Inlet.
Lots of 13- to 15-inch striped bass were released by anglers using Fin-S lures along the Pea Island beach.
Croaker, spot and sea mullet were landed in the surf from Rodanthe to Buxton. Ramp 38 was a hot spot for sea mullet.
Quite a few Spanish mackerel were landed at Cape Point Friday and Saturday evenings. Flounder weighing as much as 4.5 pounds were taken on Saturday and Sunday on both the north and south beach, along with sea mullet and pompano.
Lots of small pompano and some nice mullet were landed along the beach from Frisco to Hatteras Inlet Saturday. Spanish mackerel were taken at the inlet early Saturday and Sunday mornings. Anglers trolling in the inlet caught plenty of bluefish.
Surf fishing with fresh shrimp and sand fleas in deeper sloughs should be productive this week.
The water temperature was 76.5 degrees Monday at the Army Corps of Engineers Pier in Duck, and 81 degrees at Frisco Pier on Hatteras Island. by CNB