Highlight Reels: Pier, surf anglers finding spring species

Published 5:32 pm Wednesday, May 22, 2019

: George Craig of Elizabeth City holds up a nice 38-inch cobia he caught Sunday at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Courtesy Jennette's Pier

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

George Craig of Elizabeth City hooked up with not just one but two keeper cobia Sunday while pin-rig fishing off the end of Jennette’s Pier. A crowd of sight seers got to watch all of the action, said Lynn Fox, a front counter worker.

“It was exciting,” she said. “I had to keep people off the rail – they flocked there to see.”

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Fox said Craig fought both fish from side to side of the flared out end of the pier.

“It was fun, it was really fun, the visitors enjoyed seeing it,” she said. “He’s such a nice guy.”

Lucien Scull holds a 21 – inch Atlantic mackerel he caught at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Courtesy T.W.’s Bait & Tackle

The catches officially commenced cobia season and pin rig fishing at the pier, which typically starts with a water temperature around 70 degrees. Tuesday morning, Jennette’s was reporting 62-degree ocean waters.

Five miles up the beach at Nags Head Pier, counterman Jeff Penner said fishing has been great with a nice mix of species biting.

“We’ve been getting some good-sized (sea) mullet but it’s tailed off,” he said. “We had a half a dozen citation mullet come over the side two Saturdays ago.”

“Speckled trout has been decent, bigger blues up to four pounds and some nice size flounder,” Penner said. “I’ve caught myself two, 22-inch flounder. Decent Spanish mackerel – it’s picking up.”

Big blues have made a decent run so far this spring and anglers hope to see plenty more. Pier fishermen love Got-Cha plugs for these voracious eaters. Courtesy Jennette’s Pier

He added that recent southwest and west winds cooled the ocean down again, but he’s happy so far this season. The Pier House Restaurant there is also open for business and remember anglers, they will “cook what you catch” at lunch and dinner.

Way up in Duck at Bob’s Bait & Tackle, Rob Vaught said plenty of fish have been caught bottom fishing on the northern beaches including spot, croaker, sea mullet, trout, flounder and drum.

“In the (Currituck) sound, they’re catching catfish, white perch and crabbing has been good,” he said.

As for the crowds, he said it seems like more people than usual in Duck.

“But that might just be because I’m getting older,” Vaught said.

Editor’s Note: We are always looking for great fishing stories so please send yours with any photos to obxfishnews@gmail.com.

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