Aug Hatteras Help

[cravertosu]

SF Surfer and I are heading up to Hatteras 5th-9th of Aug. Have some guys coming in from out of town for a fishing/diving bachelor party weekend.

What I'm looking for is an idea of what is usually biting and where that time of year. Ideally I'd love to get some billfish for these guys. Problem is, I've never really fished for them. If some of you Hatteras guys(or gals) could point me in the right direction for location and spreads it would be much, much appreciated!

We'll be taking two boats and a ton of gear. We have a lot of stuff for dolphin, tuna and wahoo but not a lot for billfish. Do have some spreader bars, chains and teasers but no dredge.

Thanks guys!

Tim

[DropinBack]

This can be a decent time for whites and sails...

[cravertosu]

Thanks Drop! Seems as though the whites are around now! Sure hope they stick around for a bit longer!

Tim

[JasonB]

Tim,
I have a small strip teaser dredge and weight that will work well with your down rigger.

Jason

[Glenn W]

SF Surfer and I are heading up to Hatteras 5th-9th of Aug. Have some guys coming in from out of town for a fishing/diving bachelor party weekend.

What I'm looking for is an idea of what is usually biting and where that time of year. Ideally I'd love to get some billfish for these guys. Problem is, I've never really fished for them. If some of you Hatteras guys(or gals) could point me in the right direction for location and spreads it would be much, much appreciated!

We'll be taking two boats and a ton of gear. We have a lot of stuff for dolphin, tuna and wahoo but not a lot for billfish. Do have some spreader bars, chains and teasers but no dredge.

Thanks guys!

Tim

Naked ballyhoos on dink rods--- period, end of story, leave everything else at home in early August.
On smaller boats a squid chain or two for teasers is much easier to deal with and actually more effective than a dredge since you can't see into the water from above (like in a flying brdge boat).
Bring some bailing rods for bailers if you want to fool with them. 4 to 5 trolling lines is more than enough.
The Whites will be thinning out in a week or so (ussually) but a fair number should still be around. You will be coming up on prime time for the Saildogs.
See the other Hatteras thread for Sailfish, and keep an eye on the rags flying at the marina's. If the rags are thick, follow the charter boats to the general area to where the bite has been.
I would bring some wire rigs in case there is an early season Wahoo bite (which has been know to happen)---- the bills will still eat a wire rig with no problem.

[cravertosu]

Naked ballyhoos on dink rods--- period, end of story, leave everything else at home in early August.
On smaller boats a squid chain or two for teasers is much easier to deal with and actually more effective than a dredge since you can't see into the water from above (like in a flying brdge boat).
Bring some bailing rods for bailers if you want to fool with them. 4 to 5 trolling lines is more than enough.
The Whites will be thinning out in a week or so (ussually) but a fair number should still be around. You will be coming up on prime time for the Saildogs.
See the other Hatteras thread for Sailfish, and keep an eye on the rags flying at the marina's. If the rags are thick, follow the charter boats to the general area to where the bite has been.
I would bring some wire rigs in case there is an early season Wahoo bite (which has been know to happen)---- the bills will still eat a wire rig with no problem.

Thanks Glenn!

I'm certainly not opposed to catching a bunch of sails since I've never caught one myself. Definitely be running some naked ballyhoos!

Tim

[controlled chaos]

Well dang... That sounds like a plan.

Are you guys using a circle hook rig for these naked hoos or just running the standard pin rig? Just wonderin what was prefered.

I grew up catching sails in florida on live bait so I think I can handle them in most cases but I have never caught a white marlin, or any marlin for that matter. I have heard from guys and read on this site that the drop back is really important for whites. Is there any secret other than having a really smooth freespool? Do you normally maintain trolling speed or bump it up a little when dropping back?

I can't wait to get up to hatteras!!! It's gonna be sick. sick. sick!!!

[cravertosu]

Well dang... That sounds like a plan.

Are you guys using a circle hook rig for these naked hoos or just running the standard pin rig? Just wonderin what was prefered.

I grew up catching sails in florida on live bait so I think I can handle them in most cases but I have never caught a white marlin, or any marlin for that matter. I have heard from guys and read on this site that the drop back is really important for whites. Is there any secret other than having a really smooth freespool? Do you normally maintain trolling speed or bump it up a little when dropping back?

I can't wait to get up to hatteras!!! It's gonna be sick. sick. sick!!!

It's going to be an insane time!! Fishing, diving and shooting shit!! Life really doesn't get any better!

[controlled chaos]

It could be better if you would man up and hire a hot topless chick to rig my baits and clear lines on my boat. It is the right thing to do for your buddy's bachelor party. He will really appreciate it and so will I!!! haha!

[controlled chaos]

she ain't topless but you get the idea...