Swansboro – August 20, 2015
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are seeing the red drum bite in Bogue Sound’s marshy bays slow down a bit, but improved fishing along the ICW and in the White Oak River is making up for (and likely explaining) the change. The reds are biting topwater plugs, soft baits like Gulps, and live and cut finger mullet.
Some black drum are feeding around structure like oyster rocks in the marshes and biting live shrimp and fiddler crabs.
More black drum and good numbers of sheepshead are looking for meals around bridge and dock pilings along the ICW. Fiddler crabs are tough for both fish to turn down.
Flounder fishing continues to be solid inshore, where anglers are finding the fish around creekmouths and marsh drains, docks, and other structure. Live baits are tough to beat for the flatfish, but anglers can also cast Gulps and other soft baits with success.
There have also been a solid number of fat spanish mackerel feeding in the ICW at higher tides. Anglers can spot the spaniards jumping or chasing bait on the surface and cast metal jigs or free-line live finger mullet towards the activity to hook up.
Landen Long, of Summerfield, NC, with an 8 lb., 12 oz. sheepshead he hooked on a live sea urchin while fishing the ICW near Emerald Isle with his father.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that bottom fishing around structure in the 100’ depths is producing plenty of action with tasty fish like large black sea bass, vermillion snappers, red porgies, triggerfish, and more. Most are falling for squid and cut baits pinned to multi-hook bottom rigs.
Gag, scamp, and red grouper are feeding in the same areas and will bite larger cut and live baits.
Good numbers of dolphin are also cruising around the 100’ depths, and anglers are hooking them when they approach the boat while bottom fishing. A wide variety of baits and artificial lures will fool the ‘phins when they come up to the boat.
Anglers are also reporting some good wahoo action in the Gulf Stream while trolling ballyhoo and skirted lures.
Theresa Hutchins with a red drum that struck a live mullet while she was fishing inshore near Swansboro.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that there’s still a good red drum bite in the local marshes. Anglers are fooling the reds while casting topwater plugs, soft plastic baits, and live and cut baits.
Flounder are feeding in the marshes and around inshore structure like docks. Anglers can fool the flatfish with live baits or scented lures like Gulps bounced along the bottom.
Surf casters are still hooking primarily a mixed bag of panfish while baiting up with shrimp and Fish Bites baits.
Some schools of bluefish and spanish mackerel have been moving close enough to the beach for anglers to reach while casting metal lures like diamond jigs.
Offshore, large spanish mackerel and a few kings are looking for meals at nearshore structure like the Keypost. Live baits fished on light wire leaders are the way to fool the mackerel.
Flounder are looking for meals at the same spots, where anglers can hook them on Gulp-tipped bucktail jigs.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that live-baiters fishing the end of the pier have had some action over the past week, landing some large spanish mackerel along with a 20+ lb. king.
Smaller spanish and bluefish are biting Gotcha plugs and other casting lures anglers are working from the pier.
Anglers bottom fishing are hooking some spot, pompano, sea mullet, and other panfish. Shrimp are producing most of the action with the panfish.
