They are always biting this time of year. Never ate them, but I hear they taste pretty well. Give them a try and let us know. I’d rather be fishing for specks or rockfish right now, but those doggies will surly get in the way if bottom fishing. I’m sure you will land some. Try the south side of Oregon Inlet at the old Coast Guard station for a great striper hole. By the way, the smooth ones ain’t much different than the spinies. A doggie is a a doggie.