Swansboro October 23, 2008
Denise Failor, from Richlands, NC, with a 6.7 lb. speckled trout she caught on a live shrimp in the New River while fishing aboard the "Betty Blue."
Jeff, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite is improving as the water cools down (with most fish 1.5-3 lbs.). Live shrimp are the top baits for the trout, but Gulp baits fished under popping corks and on jigheads-as well as MirrOlures in green, pink, and red patterns-will also draw bites.
Red drum are feeding in many of the same areas as the trout, and they are also cruising for meals in the shallow flooded marshes and in the surf. Gulp baits and topwater plugs are the lures of choice for the backwater reds, and those feeding in the surf will take an interest in Gulps on jigheads or cut baits on bottom rigs.
Summer flounder are moving towards the inlets as they prepare to leave the inshore waters for winter. Points and creek mouths in the bays behind the barrier islands will produce action with the flounder, and anglers can also target them at deep structure near the inlets. Live baits like finger mullet (3-6″) on Carolina rigs are top flounder baits, since pinfish, blues, and other non-targeted species will devour Gulps before the flounder have a chance to.
King and spanish mackerel are feeding heavily on the nearshore live bottoms and ledges off Bogue Inlet. Limit catches of both species aren’t uncommon right now, and the fish are also running big (kings over 30 lbs. and spanish in the 3-7 lb. range). Live baits like pogies and mullet will attract attention from both mackerels.
Capt. Jeff Coward, of Scotts Hill, with a red drum caught in the Pamlico Sound on cut bait. He was fishing aboard "Fowl Language."
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that speckled trout are beginning to show up in the area, and the fishing will only get better as the water cools down over the next few weeks. The specks are still biting best in the creeks and rivers, with a few fish in the sound, but the sound bite will improve dramatically once the water falls below 70 degrees.
Bluefish are feeding all over the inlets and nearby channels. Anglers casting diamond jigs and Gulp baits are hooking big numbers of blues (most 1-3 lbs.).
Red drum are schooled up in the surf off Hammocks Beach and Browns Island, and in Bear, Browns, and Bogue Inlets. Gulp baits will draw bites from the drum (some up to 15 lbs.).
Flounder fishing has been solid lately, with anglers landing good numbers of fish (most 16-20″) up in the creeks and around the inlets and surf zone. Gulp baits or live baits on Carolina rigs will fool the flounder.
There are still some sheepshead and fat black drum around deepwater structure, and live shrimp or crabs will get their attention.
The king mackerel bite is still consistent, with big numbers coming from spots 2-3 miles offshore, and some larger fish feeding in the 10-12 mile range. Live baits slow trolled around bottom structure will fool the kings, and the downrigger baits have been especially productive lately.
Marcus Denning with a 9.5 lb. flounder caught on a 3" Gulp shrimp. He was fishing off a dock in Cedar Point.
Stan, of Capt. Stanman’s Charters, reports that anglers are still finding action with big king mackerel (some exceeding 30 lbs.) at spots east of Cape Lookout Shoals, where live pogies and bluefish will produce strikes.
Some kings are also feeding nearshore in Onslow Bay with good reports of fish in the high 20’s coming from the Keypost last week.
There are still plenty of pogies around Harkers Island, but the schools are becoming a little more scattered, forcing anglers to work harder for their baits.
Spot also make good king baits (though they aren’t strong enough swimmers to be trolled) and there have been good reports of spot in the ICW already.
Offshore, anglers are starting to see some yellowfin tuna in the Gulf Stream; hopefully this bodes well for a decent fall season.
Bottom fishermen are finding good action with grouper, large sea bass, and triggerfish at offshore structure throughout Onslow Bay.
James, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf fishermen are hooking some puppy drum, whiting, spot, and a few pompano while bottom fishing with shrimp and artificial bloodworms.
Surf anglers are also landing spanish mackerel on Kastmaster spoons and gold hook rigs.
Inshore, speckled trout are feeding in the marshes and falling for live shrimp and MirrOlures.
Red drum are still chasing bait in the shallows and taking an interest in topwater plugs.
King mackerel and big spanish mackerel are following pods of bait around nearshore structure and along the beaches, and boaters are hooking them while trolling live baits, dead cigar minnows, and deep diving plugs.
Jerry, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the spot have finally arrived, with anglers landing two at a time some days last week. Shrimp and bloodworms have both been attracting attention from the spot.
Some big pompano (up to 3 lbs.) are falling for shrimp fished on bottom rigs.
Spanish mackerel and some bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs.
Live baiters landed several king mackerel last week.
The water is 69 degrees.
