Atlantic Coast surf and shore fishing

Well, I feel obligated to post something about the fishing, but really, there is almost nothing to tell.  The Hatteras Island puppy drum bite did indeed end just after my last in-person reports in mid-late January.  However, the drop-off could largely be due to the weather which has been absolutely miserable…it will be interesting to see what the fishing is like if and when the weather moderates again.  Surf water temperatures along much of the North Carolina coast have gotten really cold, but the south-facing Hatteras and Ocracoke Island beaches are still holding around 50 F.  The surf north of Cape Hatteras is just frigid, in the mid-upper 30s.  And south of the Outer Banks, the surf temps are in the mid-upper 40s.  There are still some pups coming from these south-central NC beaches when the surf conditions allow for sight-casting lures to the schools.  Otherwise, I don’t expect much to report from the surf till the weather improves and water temperatures warm a bit.

In non-surf fishing news, striper action for boats out of Oregon Inlet has been good, with large fish, including a potential state record caught today.  Sounds like the bluefin tuna bite has been good the past week or two as well.