The Outer Banks fishery is in transition this week. The spring cobia run is in its final days, the giant bluefin tuna run continues to produce on the deep water, and the inshore mix has been steady. Several windy days from north and northeast cut into beach fishing but the boat fleet got out on the productive mornings.
Offshore — Bluefin Hold, Cobia Tapering
The giant bluefin tuna run continues to produce on the 30-fathom water and the deeper structure. Fish in the 250-500+ lb class are still being hooked and released, with a few harvest-class fish (verify NOAA tag requirements) coming in this week. Trolled spreader bars, ballyhoo with chuggers, and chunked baits at anchor are the standard. The 600-fathom curve has been productive on the lighter wind days.
The cobia run is winding down. A few fish are still being sight-cast from the beaches at Hatteras and Ocracoke and on the deeper buoys. Bucktails with soft plastic trailers on heavy spinning gear remain the standard. The next two weeks will see the last consistent shots before the population pushes north and offshore for the summer.
Yellowfin tuna are reliable on the canyon edges. Trolled ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and feathers are producing fish in the 30-80 lb class.
Mahi-mahi are building. Boats running the 100-fathom curve are finding scattered schools on weed lines. Trolled ballyhoo over surface temperature breaks producing schoolies and the occasional gaffer.
A few wahoo continue on the deep water. High-speed trolling with bonitos is the standard.
Surf — Cobia, Drum, Stripers Tapering
Beach cobia sight casting from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches has been the headline shore fishery. Sight casting from the dunes at Coquina Beach, Frisco, and Hatteras has produced fish daily through the cooperative weather windows. Bucktails on heavy spinning gear pitched from the wash to surface-cruising fish.
A few big red drum (50+ inches) continue on the spring run on the Outer Beach. Cut mullet and crab on heavy bottom rigs in the second gut. Catch-and-release for over-slot fish under NC regulations.
Striped bass numbers in the surf have tapered as the migration pushes north. A few fish are still being caught at the inlets and along the south beaches but the bulk has moved off.
Bluefish on the beach are reliable. Cut bait or metals.
Inshore — Stripers in the Sound, Trout, Reds
The Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound systems are fishing well for the spring/early-summer mix. Trout and red drum on the shorelines and oyster bars. Cut bait, live shrimp, or weedless soft plastics.
Striped bass continue in the sounds with the late spring fish still hitting. The Roanoke River population is in the post-spawn recovery and fishing remains catch-and-release in much of the area (verify NCDMF regulations).
Speckled trout numbers are improving as the water warms. Standard rigs — live shrimp under a popping cork or DOA Cal soft plastics on light jigheads.
Pier and Inlet
The OBX piers — Jennette’s, Avalon, Avon, and Frisco — are producing the spring mix. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, the occasional king on live bait, the resident drum and trout. The standard piling for the inlet anglers.
What’s Ahead
The summer pattern is approaching. Water temperatures climbing into the low 70s. The cobia run is essentially over. The giant bluefin will continue to produce through June. The mahi run will accelerate into June.
For this weekend: bluefin tuna in the calm windows, last-shot beach cobia, mahi runs to the offshore weed lines.
Tight lines.