Hatteras outlook for Nov. 12-17?

pksurfish · 11-07-2004, 08:57 PM

I am headed to Hatteras for fishing the surf in Avon and Buxton areas this Thursday 11/11. Will be fishing Friday the 12th through Wednesday the 17th. Hear the surf fishing has been just fair with some people asking for colder weather "to get the fish moving." Colder weather is expected starting tomorrow with day time highs in the mid-50s and night-time lows in the 40s expected during my trip. What's the typical lag, if any, between the arrival of colder temps and improvement in the fishing? What would you expect for the days I will be there? I am mostly a summertime surf fisherman. How cold is it likely to feel on the beach with daytime temps from the high 40's into mid 50's. Am I going to freeze my buns off or have a fun day on the beach so long as I add a couple of layers? Any and all advice much appreciated?

derf · 11-07-2004, 09:10 PM

waders & a couple of layers should take care of you.
heard of some action aroung nags head. the chac had a great tournment this past weekend . check with the tackle shops ; they are up on whats happin' & will let you know whats up . have a great trip !!!!
derf

steve andrews · 11-08-2004, 09:44 AM

Headed down myself the 11th thru the 14th be driving a burgundy Yukon with a rack on the front and my fish buddy Hank will be with me (Hanks a Dalmatian), stop by and say hi. If you have a pair of waders and a hooded jacket or a insulated windbreaker you should be fine. The moon phase isn't going to be the most favorable but you aren't going to catch fish if you don't have a line the water no mater what the conditions.
hatterasrentalcottage

pksurfish · 11-08-2004, 11:09 AM

I will be driving a new dark grey Grand Cherokee with a roof rack and rear cooler rack. Am fishing with an organized group Friday and Saturday - and very first thing Sunday when the others depart. Will look for you, Steve. Thanks for the response. I had noticed the moonphase. Hopefully the wind/tides/water clarity/movement of fish will work better than the moon. I plan at this point to be fishing mainly around Buxton. May try a day at Ocracoke and also north of Buxton.

steve andrews · 11-08-2004, 02:20 PM

If you go to Ocracoke check with Bob & Nancy at Tradewinds Tackle on the Island. They can put you on fish if anybody can.

John M · 11-08-2004, 03:57 PM

Ill be down there, not sure where yet or what I will chase......but I know the outlook in hatteras is was better than it is from my office

steve andrews · 11-08-2004, 06:24 PM

John M or for that matter anyone else, if I don't see ya on the beach stop by the house for a cold one and say hi. Always like to meet people with the same interest.
Good luck and happy fishing.
hatterasrentalcottage.com

crashq · 11-08-2004, 11:29 PM

We went on our annual camping and fishing trip to Portsmouth Island (1/2 way between Hatteras and Cape Lookout)during the week of Oct 23-30. The weather was similar to that predicted for Hatteras (by the Weather channel) with lows of 45-55F at night and highs of 55-65F. You will be comfortable with one or two thin layers. The important thing is to have wind protection. The wind chill will have a larger effect thatn the temperatures. I would usually wear waders with shorts (or thin polypro wading pants and a thin polypro shirt with a fishing shirt over the top. This normally kept me comfortable, but if the wind kicked up a windbreaker was necessary. Occasional rains are possible this time of year, so a waterproof jacket is also recommended.

As far as the fishing goes, it was very good for small puppies (15-20"), but slow for the larger drum. We had one big fish all week (46") and only a few in the 20-30" range. Normally you will see plenty of fish in this range. We did land quite a few spotted seatrout, though, which we normally don't see at this time. The lack of big fish may have been because of the initial ack of bait. The finger mullet were in hiding the first few days of the trip, but showed up once the big storm front passed. Then they appeared in the surf and the sound. Judging by the movement of the bait into the surf, the big fish will probably move into the surf soon.

P.S. The large number of small fish bodes well for the next few years.

pksurfish · 11-22-2004, 11:31 PM

Post trip report. Fishing was tough first three days with high winds and not much in the way of catching. Latter part of trip was great, however. Caught many puppy drum, several beatiful speckled trout, and a nice but undersized (26") striper - also some blues and flounder. Good sized stripers hit the Point at beginning of this week; saw a number of 35-40" caught.