January Stripers - OI and/or Hatteras? - The Hull Truth

Scotttb · 12-08-2005, 09:37 PM

I'm trying to plan a multi-day trip down to partake in some of the world class NC January rockfishing action. I know that lots of boats launch at OI and fish up and down the beaches but what about out of Hatteras inlet? Is the fishing near there just as good? Just trying to plan where we're going to stay and also thought that if warm water was close and the weather was seriously willing we could try for some yft out of Hatteras one of the days. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for your help...

Trevor

colliwh · 12-09-2005, 09:20 AM

Scott, while you can usually find some fish down at Hatteras, the majority of the bite always seems out of Oregon Inlet. Early in the non-breakers ocean season it is north of the inlet, sometimes all the way up to Corolla..........later it tends to be down on Wimble Shoals off Rodanthe. Also, there are quite a number of charter boats searching for the schools too..........which is really helpful. Not that many down at Hatteras.......most of them are targeting BFT's. IMO, if you are targeting stripers, OI is the place......you just need the weather to fish for them.

Merry Christmas!

Scotttb · 12-09-2005, 08:07 PM

Woody,

Thanks for the info... OI it is then! Now just need some good weather the weekend of the 14-15th... Thanks again.

FishOn162 · 12-15-2005, 10:20 PM

Did it last year and have some advice...

Bring a shotgun and duck hunting gear...get the names of some guides.

We got blown out for 2 days, if we would have had guns we could have hunted instead of sitting in bars.

richardk · 12-20-2005, 10:57 PM

Any reports to date on the Striper action?

Have been looking for them around CCBT and off Cape Henry...nothing to write home about to date. The water temp last Saturday was around 45 degrees.

Thinking about heading south to Corolla, but looking for birds on the way down.

theduckblind · 12-21-2005, 07:24 AM

the best there is out there...The Poacher.

http://reelbuzz.com/fishreports/poacher/default.asp

Reel Obsession · 12-22-2005, 07:30 AM

richardk

There have been good days and bad days mixed together. Yesterday the fishing was good off of Nags Head Pier, but the previous several days you had to run to Corolla and that was not a sure bet. Lots of bluefish mixed in making fishing for Rock tough on some days. Fishing should pick up soon and be more consistant, our best days have always been around New Years and thru January and February.

ECMatt90 · 12-26-2005, 08:13 PM

I have been out of town so I didn't get a chance to post earlier. Went out Thursday before Christmas. We started out heading up to Nags Head Peir since the report was how thick they were on Wednesday in the area. We worked the whole area for most of the morning. Around 10AM we were on fish, but only hooked up with a couple. Ended up with 2 in boxes from around 10 - 11:30 then the fish were GONE!!! We were working everything, from Slammers, to Storms, to Broom Stick handles. Nothing worked then we stared trolling, and still nothing. As we were heading in, we got a call that they were straight off OI right inside the 3 Mile Fence. We got out there around 4 PM and all 4 of us were hooked up within 10 mins. Fish between 20-30 lbs. We had our limit within about 30 mins. Kept fishing and keep bringing them to the boat.

Overall, it was an awesome day once we found the fish again. I will post some pictures when I get them. But they are here, just need to understand it may take some time to find the fish.

Just waiting to Jan, Feb, when the real big boys are here. MERRY CHRISTMAS!