Swansboro – July 2, 2015
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers haven’t been able to make it into the ocean too much over the past week, but they will likely still see excellent action with large spanish and king mackerel when they can make it out to structure within a few miles of the beachfront. Both will attack live baits fished on light wire leaders.
Some flounder and black sea bass are looking for meals in the same areas and will pounce on bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
Amberjacks are schooled up on structure a bit further off the beachfront and will also bite live baits and, at times, a variety of artificials.
Inshore, the red drum action remains consistent in the marshes and bays off Bogue Sound. Anglers are tempting the reds to bite topwater plugs, soft plastics, and cut and live baits.
The flounder fishing is getting better inshore, with fish feeding alongside the reds in the shallows, around the inlets, and near inshore structure like docks and bridges. Live baits or Gulps fished slowly along the bottom will attract attention from the flatfish.
Anglers are also hooking red drum and flounder along with a few speckled trout, black drum, and other fish around oyster rocks in the White Oak River. Live shrimp are top choices in the river, but the fish will fall for a variety of other live baits and artificials.
Black drum and sheepshead are looking for meals around bridge and dock pilings, bulkheads, and other inshore structure in the area. Anglers can tempt both to bite live fiddler crabs fished close to their homes.
Crockett Henderson, of Cape Carteret’s Liquid Fire Fishing Team, with a dolphin that struck a trolled ballyhoo in 120′ of water off Beaufort Inlet.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers should be able to continue to find action with barracuda and amberjacks around high-relief bottom structure within 10 miles of the beachfront at present. Live baits will fool both, and anglers can also hook up on artificial lures like topwater plugs, jigs, tube lures, and more.
Dolphin, king mackerel, and big spanish mackerel are all prowling spots from just off the beaches to the 15 mile range. They’ll all bite live menhaden or jigged baits like cigar minnows, herring, and sardines. A few cobia are still in the same areas and will also pounce on live baits.
Brittany and Brian Shipp with part of a catch of large spanish and king mackerel they landed while live-baiting near the Keypost off Bogue Inlet. They were fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers continue to catch some red drum and flounder in the backwaters throughout Bogue Sound. Most are falling for live and Gulp baits, and anglers are also hooking the reds on topwater plugs.
Flounder fishing has also been good at the nearshore reefs in the ocean, where anglers are connecting with the flatfish on Gulp-tipped bucktail jigs.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are looking for meals along the beachfront. Anglers are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons from boats and casting metal lures from the pier.
Tarpon, king mackerel, and cobia have all shown up around the pier this week, so nearshore boaters stand a shot at them as well. Live baits are tough to beat for all three.
Plenty of sharks are also feeding nearshore and just off the beaches, and they’re biting cut baits.
More king mackerel and some dolphin have been feeding around spots in the 10-15 mile range and biting both live and dead baits.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers landed a king mackerel and a cobia along with releasing several tarpon while live-baiting from the end of the pier last week.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier when the water’s clean.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with a summer mixed bag of spot, sea mullet, pompano, and bluefish.
The water is 85 degrees.
