Swansboro – June 18, 2015
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some of the best spring/summer king mackerel action they have in years off Bogue Inlet right now. Big numbers of kings and some large spanish mackerel are feeding at nearshore structure within a few miles of the inlet, and both will pounce on live baits like menhaden, sardines, and cigar minnows slow-trolled over the structure. Some cobia are still in the same areas and are fans of the live baits as well. Anglers can also tempt them to bite buctkail jigs and other artificial lures at times.
Katherine Christopher, of Richmond, VA, with a 7 lb. spanish mackerel that bit a live menhaden 3 miles off Bogue Inlet while she was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Legal black sea bass have been feeding at much of the same structure and biting baited bottom rigs, bucktails, and small vertical jigs.
The flounder bite around ocean structure hasn’t been incredible, but anglers are connecting with a few flatfish while bouncing bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits off the bottom.
More flatfish are feeding in the bays inshore and around ICW structure like bridges and docks. They’ll bite Gulps or small live baits.
Joseph Taylor with a 60 lb. cobia he landed while fishing solo off Bogue Inlet. The cobe fell for a curlytail gub on a Spro bucktail.
The red drum action inshore around Swansboro has been excellent, with big numbers of the fish feeding in the bays behind the barrier islands. Anglers can hook the reds on live or cut baits, topwater plugs, soft plastics, and a variety of other offerings.
There’s also been some good action with reds, black drum, flounder, and a few speckled trout around oyster rocks in the White Oak River. Topwater plugs are fooling the reds and specks, and Gulps and live baits are proving effective on everything.
Black drum and sheepshead are looking for meals under the area’s inshore bridges, offering anglers some relief from the sun. Dangling fiddler crabs around the pilings is the way to connect with both fish.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that anglers are hooking good numbers of spanish mackerel (some to 4-5 lbs.) and school king mackerel at reefs and live bottoms within a few miles of Bogue Inlet. Live baits are top choices for both fish, and anglers may need to downsize the wire and hooks on their rigs to tempt bites from the line-shy spaniards.
Some cobia are hanging around the same areas and will also bite live baits. Anglers should keep a “pitch-bait” ready while trolling for the mackerel in case a cobia swims up to check out the boat.
Amberjacks are schooling up at structure within 5 miles of the beachfront and will bite live baits or fast-moving artificials like vertical jigs and topwater plugs.
Some dolphin have also pushed well inshore of the Gulf Stream, and anglers encountered them as near as AR-345 (8 miles out) last week. The ‘phins will bite live and dead baits or artificials.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that dolphin and king mackerel have moved inshore, and anglers have encountered both within 10 miles of land recently. Live and dead baits will fool both fish.
Some flounder and black sea bass are looking for meals at bottom structure in the same range and inshore to nearly the inlets. They’ll both pounce on bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
Anglers are still connecting with big numbers of spanish mackerel while trolling lures like Clarkspoons within a short distance of the inlet and beachfront.
Anglers bottom fishing in the surf and from the pier are primarily finding action with panfish like sea mullet, spot, and croaker. Shrimp and bloodworms will get their attention.
Anglers fishing inshore are finding plenty of red drum in Bogue Sound’s bays and marshes. Topwater plugs are fooling good numbers, but anglers can also hook up on Gulps, spinnerbaits, and live and cut baits.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, croaker, and spot while bottom fishing from the pier with shrimp and bloodworms.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also feeding around the pier and biting casting lures like diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs. Some large (to 6+ lbs.) spaniards have been decked recently.
Anglers also spotted a king mackerel off the end of the pier early in the week.
The water is 81 degrees.
