[hugehail]

There was a 2-lb Pompano caught at Ramp 43 at Hatteras recently. This is likely due to the
western extremity of the Gulf Stream brushing up against the NC coast in this warm pattern.
Here is a sea surface temperature image that shows this. Note that the water temperature is
about 68 at Hatteras, 57 at Bogue/Surf City and 50 at Nags Head. I dont think that
spring fish always migrate from Florida clear up to the NC coast. I think some of the early
fish just more onshore from the east. If you go just east of hatteras the water temperature
stays balmy year round in the lower to mid 60s and is marginally supportive of local populations of
Bluefish and Pompano. There has been research that shows that there are local populations
of Bluefish that make short migrations and also fish that migrate very long distances. In fact there
were tagging studies done way back in the mid 1960s that showed long migrations for Bluefish. But I have
a hard time believing that the Pompano that was caught at ramp 43 migrated from Florida and think
its more likely that it was a local fish just offshore that moved westward to Hatteras as the warm
plume of water from the GS edged westward. It will be interesting if we have a cold snap in late March and
early to mid April this year. I would be shocked if we maintain this water water at Hatteras
through April with no relapses.

Hit control + a few times to zoom in on the image below if it shows up small on your
browser.

https://eastcoast.coastwatch.noaa.gov/data/avhrr/sst/3day/cl/AVHCW_2017058_3DAY_MULTISAT_SSTMASKED_CL_1KM.png

 

[HStew]

it would seem fairly logical that some species would move offshore in the winter as opposed to migrating north ( yes north )or south.

 

[pods]

I am eager to try for some early pomps this year. I have heard that the spring pomps are BIG and that would suit me just fine. Nice to know there is some warm water making it in. I saw someone saying they hit the bluefish well this past weekend as well.
It looks to be an early spring fishing season here in NC, well south of Hatteras anyways.

 

[bronzbck1]

Water has been warm here 60-65 south of Cape Point to false Point. Ocracoke in the 50s and north of Cape Point 55 and down the further north you go. It's been that way for weeks. These little cold fronts haven't changed the water temp but a few degrees. Catching anything from a blow toad, blue fish, mullet, pups, drum, black drum, small trout, and big sharks.

 

[hugehail]

Ocracoke has been in the 50s for weeks? Not based on the imagery I see. The last few days Ocracoke has been in the lower to mid 60s based on the latest imagery. They should be similar to the point at Hatteras on average but it looks like they are a little cooler right now. Occasionally the labrador current comes as far south as Hatteras and even spills past the point at times but not right now. the Gulf stream has been brushing up against that stretch from hatteras down to Ocracoke and
southwest from there. Bogue and Surf City has been cooler because they are father from the Gulf stream. Is there a data point for WT that I dont know about for Hatteras and Ocracoke? I mean actual water temp data and not
imagery

Here is a link you might like. https://eastcoast.coastwatch.noaa.gov/data/avhrr/sst/

 

[bronzbck1]

Imagery is surface temp. Ocracoke should be getting up to the 60's now. My point is Hatteras is ahead far as water temps this year. I'm speaking of actual temp checks by myself and others. Rutgers is a good tool but it doesn't beat toes in the sand.