Northern beaches warm up to variety.(NEWS)

Byline: DAMON TATEM

BEACH, PIER AND BRIDGE FISHING

Corolla to Coquina Beach

Warmer weather and rising water temperatures along the northern beaches should prompt increased inshore fishing action during the next couple of weeks.

Surfcasters in the area between Corolla and Coquina Beach should catch some skates, dogfish, a few toadfish, an occasional puppy drum and small croaker. Some small bluefish and possibly a speckled trout or two also could be landed if the water is clear. Most of the fish will be taken on bait. Anglers can keep one puppy drum 18 to 27 inches per person per day.

Pier fishermen along the northern beaches should deck a few puppy drum, small bluefish, toadfish, skates and dogfish. A few speckled trout could be taken on lures. The best action will be on the incoming tide when the fish move in from deeper water to feed. Anglers can keep 15 small bluefish per person per day. There is no minimum size limit on bluefish.

Oregon Inlet area

Surfcasters around Oregon Inlet should reel in a few puppy drum, toadfish and small bluefish. Most of the fish will be caught on fresh cut bait.

Pea Island to Buxton

Surfcasters along these beaches should do well, catching quite a few toadfish and puppy drum. Fair numbers of small bluefish also should be landed, along with the seemingly ever-present dogfish and skates. Some sea mullet should be taken by anglers using bloodworms or fresh shrimp fished on the bottom. A big drum or two could be a possibility in the Avon area surf.

Pier fishermen in Rodanthe and Avon should deck some toadfish, puppy drum, scattered bluefish, small croaker, dogfish and skates.

Buxton to Hatteras Inlet

Surfcasters around the Buxton jetties should catch some puppy drum and an occasional flounder. A few speckled trout also should be landed if the water is clear. Anglers can keep eight flounder, 14 inches long, per person per day. The eight-fish daily harvest limit for the ocean is unchanged from last year, but the size limit has increased by half an inch.

Drum fishing should be great at Cape Point with plenty of puppy drum taken, and yearlings and big drum released. Some of the best drum fishing will be when winds are from the southwest. Action also should be outstanding at night.

Anglers at the cape also should beach some toadfish, bluefish, sea mullet and trout. Additionally, some keeper flounder and bottom fish should be caught in the hook, south of the cape.

Bottom fishing for toadfish and sea mullet should be good in the surf from Frisco to Hatteras Inlet. Some nice puppy drum, bluefish and a few bottom fish should be landed in the False Point/Hatteras Inlet area. A few sizeable drum also will be hooked and released.

Frisco Pier fishermen should deck plenty of toadfish and sea mullet.

TROLLING AND BOAT FISHING

Boat fishermen in the Croatan Sound should catch some keeper stripers. Anglers can retain three striped bass per person per day, 18 inches or larger, seven days per week in the Albemarle Sound Management Area, which includes the Croatan Sound.

Boaters fishing in the Oregon Inlet area should land some bluefish and albacore. Hatteras Inlet boat fishermen should reel in bluefish, flounder and mixed-sized drum.

OFFSHORE, GULF STREAM

Blue water action should be great southeast of Oregon Inlet with lots of nice-sized yellowfin tuna taken. A few dolphin, wahoo and bluefin tuna also should appear in catches.

Hatteras Gulf Stream anglers should deck nice yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, wahoo and dolphin. Some king mackerel and bluefin tuna also should be landed. A marlin release is a possibility at any time.

Effective Jan. 1, anyone 16 years and older fishing recreationally in North Carolina's coastal waters will need a fishing license. The new license is available from Wildlife Resources Commission License agents throughout the state, at any Division of Marine Fisheries office and at retail locations across the state. The license also is available on the Internet at www.ncwildlife.org and by phone 1-888-248-6834 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CAPTION(S):

Leslie Wilkerson of Powells Point fishes after work, in the Croatan Sound. Surfcasters around Oregon Inlet should reel in a few puppy drum, toadfish and small bluefish. Most of the fish will be caught on fresh cut bait.

chris curry/the virginian-pilot