Swansboro July 7, 2011
Capt. Rob Koraly, of Sandbar Safari Charters, and Phill Satterfield with a 40 lb. bull dolphin Satterfield caught after it fell for a green/yellow-skirted ballyhoo near the Rise while they were fishing with Craig Stanfield on the "Fin City."
Robbie, of Hall’em In Charters, reports that the red drum bite is excellent in the Swansboro-area marshes right now (with most fish mid to upper-slot size). Topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and Gulps have all been proving effective with the reds.
The inshore flounder bite is going strong. Both bucktail/Gulp shrimp combos and live finger mullet are tempting bites from the flatfish, and ICW structure like docks has been hosting the best fishing.
Sheepshead are feeding around the Swansboro bridges, and dangling live fiddler crabs on Carolina rigs near the pilings is producing plenty of action with the sheeps.
Black drum and speckled trout are looking for meals around oyster rocks in Queens Creek and the White Oak River, where live shrimp on slip-float rigs are attracting attention from both.
Outside Bogue Inlet, the large spanish mackerel bite is still on at the nearshore rocks and live bottoms. Live 3-4” menhaden are too tempting for the big spaniards to resist, and scaled down king rigs with light wire and small gold treble hooks are most effective with the tackle-shy larger fish. The bite has been best in the early morning hours, but they’ve been feeding in the early afternoons over the past week as well.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that amberjacks are schooled up on the artificial reefs and buoy chains 5+ miles off Bogue Inlet. Live baits like menhaden and cigar minnows (or attention-getting lures like vertical jigs and topwater plugs) will excite the jacks into biting.
Some dolphin are feeding at the reefs and buoys a bit further off (and some are gaffers to 20+ lbs.). Live baits are also tough for the dolphin to pass up.
Black sea bass are feeding at bottom structure in the same areas, and they will pounce on a small metal jig, a bucktail, or a bottom rig baited with squid or cut baits.
Closer to the beaches, the large spanish mackerel bite is still on at the nearshore rocks and wrecks off Bogue Inlet. It’s an early bite, though, and often dies out shortly after the sun rises. Live baits on scaled-down king rigs with lighter wire and smaller treble hooks are top producers with the larger spanish.
Some king mackerel are feeding in the same areas and will take an interest in slightly larger live baits.
Inshore, the red drum bite in the marshes has been solid. Topwater plugs, Gulp baits, and live baits will all attract attention from the reds.
Dr. Lindsay Sanders, of Charlotte, NC, with a lionfish that bit a 2 oz. Blue Water Candy Roscoe Jig at some structure in 115' of water off Bogue Inlet while she was fishing with Capt. Andy Wolfe of Fraud Giggin' Charters.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are hooking up with some small spanish mackerel along the beaches and from the piers on Clarkspoons, Gotcha plugs, and other small metal lures.
Larger spanish are feeding at the nearshore reefs, where live baits on scaled-down king rigs will tempt them to bite.
Some king mackerel are also feeding nearshore, and larger live baits are the way to go for the kings.
Dolphin have moved as far inshore as the Hutton. Live and dead baits will get their attention.
Flounder fishing has been solid around the pier pilings, the nearshore reefs, and the channels and structure inshore. Live baits or Gulps fished on bucktails or stand-up jigheads will attract attention from the flatfish.
Inshore, there are still plenty of red drum around for anglers willing to put in the time to find them. Topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and live baits will get attention from the reds.
Surf and pier anglers are picking up some solid pompano on shrimp and sand fleas when the water’s clear.
Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that live-baiters hooked several tarpon from the end of the pier last week.
Spanish mackerel and some bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pilings and will bite sand fleas or barnacles.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some spot, croaker, sea mullet, and a few pompano.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits fished under the pier.
