Swansboro June 9, 2011
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the area’s red drum bite has been excellent in bays and flats behind the barrier islands recently. Big numbers of shrimp have been showing up in the creeks, and live shrimp have been deadly on the reds on popping corks and Carolina rigs. Gulp baits are also producing plenty of action.
Some black drum are in the same areas, and live shrimp will also get their attention.
Flounder are still feeding around the inlets and inshore around deeper docks, but the bite has slowed down a bit. Gulp baits and small live baits are tops for the flatfish.
Sheepshead are feeding strong around bridges and docks in the area, and fiddler crabs will produce plenty of action with them.
Plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel are chasing bait near the inlet. Small metal lures will get their attention.
Some king mackerel have shown up within 15 miles of the beaches, and larger spanish mackerel are moving into the area as well. Live baits are top choices for both. There have been plenty of small menhaden in the backwaters for anglers searching for bait.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that there have been good numbers of amberjacks on offshore structure in the 5-15 mile range. Live baits, vertical jigs, and topwater poppers will all attract attention from the AJ’s.
Some cobia are in the same areas and will often follow a hooked jack to the boat. Live menhaden are top choices for tempting the cobes to bite.
Laura Barbour, of Wilmington, with a 20 lb. cow dolphin she hooked while trolling ballyhoo off Beaufort Inlet with her brother.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that dolphin fishing continues to be good off the area, and some fish have moved as far inshore as the Hutton. A few king mackerel are in the same areas, and both will fall for live or dead baits.
Cobia have been scattered from just off the beaches out to offshore structure. Bucktails with soft plastic trailers or live baits should get their attention if anglers spot one.
Surf and pier bottom fishermen are hooking up with some pompano and sea mullet on shrimp and sand fleas.
The flounder bite has been solid in the backwaters and at nearshore structure. Live baits and bucktails tipped with scented soft plastics (like Gulp baits) will get attention from the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding in the backwater bays. They’ll take an interest in topwater plugs, Gulp baits, and a variety of other baits and lures.
Joanne, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that plug casters are catching good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha and other metal lures.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet in the mornings and pompano and other bottom feeders during the days.
Some sheepshead are feeding around the pilings and will take an interest in sand fleas or fiddler crabs.
Live baiters landed a cobia and a king mackerel from the end of the pier last week.
