Swansboro – June 4, 2015
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with solid numbers of gag grouper while dropping baits to offshore structure out of Bogue Inlet. The gags will bite live, dead, or cut baits, and they’re most populous in 80’ of water and deeper.
Some dolphin are feeding in the same areas and will bite weightless “light-lines” drifted on the surface while anglers are bottom fishing.
Peyton Baughn, of Philadelphia, PA, and Capt. Rob Koraly, of Sandbar Safari Charters, with a 40 lb. wahoo that bit a ballyhoo under a Zuker’s feather in 130′ of water off Bogue Inlet.
Anglers running all the way to the Gulf Stream are connecting with more dolphin (along with some wahoo) while trolling ballyhoo under skirted lures.
Inshore, there’s still some excellent red drum action in the bays behind the barrier islands. The reds will bite live and cut baits, topwater plugs, or soft plastics pinned to jigheads.
Eli Young, of Burgaw, NC, with a 24″ red drum that he hooked while sight-casting a Z-Man shrimp in Stones Bay near Sneads Ferry.
Flounder are feeding alongside the reds in the bays and looking for meals in the inlets and around structure like docks along the ICW. Live baits or Gulps will also attract attention from the flatfish.
Anglers are also connecting with flounder at nearshore structure in 30-60’ of water out in the ocean. Larger bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits are the way to go for the ocean flatfish.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that dolphin and king mackerel have shown up 5-15 miles off Bogue Inlet, and anglers are finding groups of both at live bottoms and other structure in that range. The bite can be hit-or-miss, so anglers should concentrate on staying mobile in order to find an active group of fish.
Tara Hughes, of Kinston, NC, with a 53 lb. wahoo that struck a ballyhoo under a blue/crystal sea witch at the Swansboro Hole while she was trolling on the “Maverick.”
Trolling live baits or dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo will fool both, and the ‘phins and kings are also falling for live baits on light-lines while anglers are bottom fishing.
The bottom bite has been scattered at inshore areas, with a few sea bass, flounder, and more, but there’s been excellent action at structure in 90’ and deeper recently. Black sea bass, gag grouper, grunts, porgies, and more are feeding around the structure. Squid, cut baits, and dead and live baits will attract attention from the bottom feeders.
Amberjacks are schooled up at structure from 50’ of water to the break, and anglers can fool them with live baits, vertical jigs, and topwater plugs.
Some cobia are feeding in the same areas as the jacks and biting live baits and jigs.
Bob, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf and pier anglers have been hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel on metal casting lures.
Spot and sea mullet are biting bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Anglers are also hooking some flounder from the beach and pier on live baits and Gulps.
The flatfish bite has been good inshore and in the ocean as well, with live baits and Gulp also producing results.
Some speckled trout are feeding in the creeks and biting soft plastics and live baits.
There’s still plenty of red drum action on the flats inshore. Anglers are fooling the reds with topwater plugs, soft plastics, and a variety of natural baits.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some pigfish and black drum during the daylight hours, mostly on shrimp. Some spot have been mixed in at night for anglers baiting up with bloodworms.
Plug casters are hooking spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotchas.
The water is 79 degrees.
