Swansboro October 9, 2008
Spencer Riggs (age 7), from Goldsboro, with a 7 lb. black drum caught on shrimp in Taylor's Creek in Beaufort.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that nearshore king and spanish mackerel fishing has been phenomenal lately. The spanish are busting bait from the inlet to nearshore structure, and anglers are hooking big numbers of them by casting Stingsilvers to breaking schools of fish and areas where birds are working.
The kings have been feeding with similar abandon around the nearshore wrecks and reefs. Free-lining live finger mullet is producing such fast action with the kings that it’s often impossible to get more than one line out without a hookup.
Red drum are schooling along the beaches (with some schools of over 1000 fish). Anglers can sight-cast to the fish, and they’ll often strike virtually anything anglers throw at them. Topwater plugs and Gulp baits are top choices for lures, and live finger mullet are proving irresistible when the fish are a bit more picky.
Speckled trout fishing is heating up, and the next cold front should really kick the trout bite into high gear. Most of the fish are still in the creeks and deeper marshes behind Brown’s and Bear Islands, but cooler weather will push them out into the sound. Topwaters and Gulps have also been producing well on the specks, and live shrimp will nearly always draw bites.
Flounder are feeding in the sounds and the channels off the inlets and ICW. Carolina-rigged finger mullet should prove tempting to the flounder.Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that speckled trout are holding in the inlets and nearby in big numbers (many around 3 lbs.). There’s been especially hot fishing near Brown’s Inlet lately.
Plenty of red drum are feeding in the surf, the inlets, and the nearby creeks. Anglers can sight cast to fish on the backside of the breakers from boats on calm days, or leave their boats behind Bear Island and walk over the dunes to hook up from shore. Big Bite Shrimp fished on 1/4 oz. leadheads should attract attention from the trout and reds.
Bluefish are mixed in with the trout and reds, and they’re biting virtually anything anglers cast at them. Topwater plugs make for especially explosive strikes from the blues.
Fall king mackerel are feeding heavily just off the beaches, where live finger mullet and pogies will draw them to strike (most fish are 10-15 lbs., and they are numerous).
Nearshore bottom fishing is producing some fat flounder and black sea bass on ledges and other structure.
Wahoo have begun feeding alongside larger king mackerel around structure east of Lookout Shoals, and they’ll fall for the same live baits the kings will.
The Hatteras fleet is starting to see some yellowfin tuna, so hopefully the fish will soon work their way south to feed at local blue water spots.
Thomas Benton, of Swansboro, with a 5 lb. speckled trout he tagged and released while fishing with Capt. Ricky Kellum, of Speckled Specialist Charters. The trout was the first in a new taggin program conducted by NC State University. New River anglers who catch trout with yellow tags can return the tag for a $5 reward; those with red tags are worth $100.
Stan, of Capt. Stanman’s Charters, reports that last weekend’s king mackerel bite was excellent just east of Cape Lookout Shoals. The George Summerlin wreck produced some of the hottest action last week (with many fish over 20 lbs., and decent numbers up to 40+ lbs.).
Some huge wahoo (like the 92 lb. beast caught by a king fisherman last week) are feeding at the same spots on the east side.
Nicki Mitchell, of Raleigh, with a 25" red drum caught on a spinnerbait/Gulp combination near Surf City while she was fishing with Capt. Todd Streeter of Chasin' Tail Charters.
Bob, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that there’s an excellent king mackerel bite going on just off the beaches right now. Dead cigar minnows are producing plenty of action with the kings, and anglers are also hooking up with bigger fish on live baits.
Flounder fishing is still going strong in the sound, and Carolina-rigged live baits are the best bet for the flatfish.
Red drum are still feeding well in the sound as well, and they’re taking quite an interest in topwater plugs. Gulps and live baits are also excellent choices for the reds.
Surf fishermen are experiencing some of the best fishing of the year, hooking up with red drum, black drum, pompano, whiting, spot, bluefish, and spanish mackerel. Fresh shrimp are producing action with the bottom feeders, and anglers are hooking the blues and spanish on Kastmasters and Stingsilvers.
Jerry, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are starting to catch some good numbers of spot, and oddly the action has been best on the south side of the pier. Bloodworms and Fish Bites artificial bloodworms are attracting the spots’ attention.
Pompano and whiting are falling for sand fleas and fresh shrimp.
Plug casters are hooking bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotcha plugs.
Live baiters landed several king mackerel last week as well.
