Outdoors notebook: Saltwater fishing report

Offshore – Fishing earlier in the week was limited by gusty winds and high seas but those who were able to get out found king mackerel plentiful at the Atlas tanker, the Southwest Places, 45-Minute Rock and other sites a short run offshore. The few boats from the Oregon Inlet fleet that could handle the conditions caught yellowfin tuna and dolphin. Bottom fishermen landed large black sea bass, white grunts, triggerfish and red snapper.

Inside/Inshore – Large stripers, up to 35 lb., have started to show up at Oregon Inlet and should continue to increase in numbers. Sea mullet (whiting) were found in the area of the Dead Tree Hole and in both Bogue and Beaufort inlets, while small speckled trout were landed by anglers at the Cape Lookout jetty. Large specks, some 5+ lb, were caught around the mouths of creeks in the lower Neuse and Pamlico rivers on live shrimp, DOA jigs and Gulp! baits.

Ocean Piers/Surf – NCDMF surveys showed a “mixed bag of pompano, spadefish, LOTS of large puffers, bluefish and good-size whiting” in the surf this week. In addition to those species, black drum, puppy drum, albacore and a few spot were taken on the Bogue Inlet Pier. The water temperature at mid-week was 65 F. 

In Season

Deer: through Jan. 1  

Wild Boar: through Feb. 28

Sea Ducks (in Special Sea Duck Areas): through Jan. 30

Bobcat, Raccoon & Opossum: through Feb. 28

Gray Squirrel: through Feb. 13

Fox Squirrel: through Dec. 31 (in Jones, Lenoir, Onslow and select other counties)

Grouse: through Feb. 28

Controlled Shooting Preserves:  through Mar. 31

Ducks, Mergansers & Coots: through Dec. 5 & Dec. 19 – Jan. 30 (Note- No black or mottled ducks shall be taken until Dec. 1)

Canada Geese: through Dec. 5 & Dec. 19 – Feb. 6

Tundra Swan: through Jan. 30 (by permit only)

Light Geese (snow, blue & Ross’ geese): through Mar. 10

Brant: Nov. 21 – Dec. 5 & Dec. 19 – Jan. 30

Doves: Nov. 23 – 28 & Dec. 19 – Jan. 15

Bears:  Dec. 14 – 26 in Jones, Craven, Beaufort & Hyde counties; through Jan. 1 in Pamlico, Carteret, Onslow & Duplin counties.