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The Mahi (dolphin) are pretty much all gone now. There has been a relatively good wahoo bite still. The day we went out, four were brought in with the biggest being about 70lbs and the smallest around 40. We had what appeared to be a couple of wahoo hits through our spread but they cut us off pretty quick. Also had something smash our planer and bend the crap out of it. Figured it was either a wahoo or a mako. As for the short stripers, the minimum size "inside" is 18" w/two per person with keeper days being Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Ocean striper minimum is 28" w/two per person as well. These are designated as fish caught beyond the inlets. Most of these bigger fish do not make a spawning run but congregate just off the shore for most of the winter. As the season moves on and the spawning fish continue their migration up into the Roanoke (sp?) River, the regulations get tighter and eventually turns into a catch and release fishery only w/barbless hooks required. Pleas don't think that the shorts that you saw are the norm around here. Especially if you saw the fish in Pirates Cove caught on a charter, the fish were probably of legal size. The Captains take the minimum seriously due to hefty fines and loss of license if they are caught. However, there are always a few people who are ignorant of the regulations. who will keep fish that are too small.
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