Ocracoke Fishing October 2013
Access on the beach this week has been limited due to the government shutdown that is affecting all the National Parks. All the beach ramps are closed to vehicles, but folks are finding a way to get to the water. Reports include bluefish, some puppy drum, sea mullets, small pompano and flounder. Inshore reports were great with the mild weather. Most catches were bluefish, flounder, speckled trout, gray trout, puppy drum, and a couple of larger drum. Offshore reports include wahoo, amberjack, dolphin, and yellowfin as well as blackfin tuna.
Access on the beach continues to be limited due to the government shutdown that is affecting all the National Parks. All the beach ramps are closed to vehicles, but folks are walking out. Most are parking along the highway or the open parking lots and walking out to fish. No tickets have been issued for those walking. Reports include bluefish, lots of puppy drum, some pompano and a few large red drum. Inshore reports include bluefish, flounder, speckled trout, gray trout, puppy drum, and larger drum. Offshore reports include nice catches of wahoo, dolphin, blackfin tuna, and triggerfish.
With the government shutdown over for now, all the beach access ramps, boat ramp, and campground are back in operations. Our fishing reports this week include lots of puppy drum scattered along the beach, bluefish, some keeper flounder, small pompano, a few black drum, and a couple of larger red drum. Inshore reports include bluefish, flounder, speckled trout, gray trout, puppy drum, and larger red drum. Offshore reports include nice catches of wahoo, some dolphin, tuna, and triggerfish.
This past week on Ocracoke, the surf fishing for puppy drum has been some of the best that many can remember in recent years. Most were in the slot limit range with a few citation red drum scattered in the mix. There were also some nice flounder, a few sea mullets, and puffers. Inshore reports include flounder, puppy drum, and larger citation red drum. Offshore reports still include nice catches of wahoo, some dolphin, and triggerfish.
Surf fishing this past week on Ocracoke continues to produce great catches of puppy drum and a few citation red drum as well. There were also some nice keeper sized flounder, a few sea mullets, and some puffers. Inshore reports continue to include flounder, some puppy drum, and larger citation red drum on lures. Offshore reports include nice catches of wahoo, amberjack, and triggerfish.
What to Expect for Fishing Ocracoke Next Month in November
November fishing on Ocracoke Island can be great for Red Drum. The first two weeks of November historically yield the largest fish of the year from the surf, with some fish measuring over 50 inches in length. Citations are awarded for the release of red drum measuring over 40 inches.
Puppy drum, slot limit fish from 18 to 27 inches, are caught in good numbers. Three to five pound black drum, one pound sea mullets, and scattered flounder round out the catches for those fishing bait in the surf. Mullet and shrimp remain the bait of choice for most fishermen, although some use menhaden and spots as the water temperatures cool.
Anglers willing to cast artificial lures later in the month will be targeting speckled trout and puppy drum. Hopkins, mirrolures, and grubs are the most popular artificial baits. Clean water allows fishermen to find the deeper sloughs and breaks that these fish prefer. Light 7 to 8 foot rods offer plenty of casting distance and allow the use of these lighter lures. Matching the lure to the conditions and working a slow retrieve are the keys to success.
Inshore, some big drum may still be caught by boaters fishing the inlet. Lucky fishermen will be able to see large schools of fish and sight cast to them with 3 ounce bucktails. Others anchor near the shoals and cast chunks of fresh bait into the surf to catch the drum.
Offshore fishermen primarily target the great tasting triggerfish and black sea bass found bottom fishing. Trolling dead baits, ballyhoo, or king spoons yield the best king mackerel of the year. Amberjack can be found on large jigs or live baits fished near wrecks. And a few troll ballyhoo on wire rigs for nice wahoo.
Regardless of what type of fishing they are doing, November fishermen enjoy the slower pace of the island and the opportunity to find a great catch.
