Swansboro – June 9, 2016
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that nearshore reefs are holding big spanish mackerel for anglers live baiting for them. Menhaden and mullet fished on scaled down king mackerel rigs with #6 trebles are putting some large citation-size spanish in the boat for many anglers. There are also some cobia around the nearshore reefs and will also take an interest in live baits, so anglers should have a rod with heavy leader and a large circle hook ready in case a curious cobia swims near the boat.
Flounder are being found at nearshore reefs and just inside the inlet where they are following bait and moving inshore. Bouncing 1-2 oz. bucktails tipped with soft plastics are fooling plenty of the flatfish, but anglers can also target them using live mullet and mud minnows on a Carolina rig.
Inshore, the large schools of red drum spotted earlier in the spring have broken up, and anglers are having success finding small schools of fish feeding in area marshes and creeks. Live shrimp and mullet are putting good numbers of fish in the boat throughout the day. Anglers that prefer artificial baits are finding it’s best to fish walk-the-dog style plugs in the early morning and late evening when the reds are more actively feeding on the surface. Mixed in with the reds are some large trout which can be caught using the same methods.
Kylee Gorczynski, of Hubert, with a 28 redfish she caught on live bait in a Swansboro area marsh.
Johnathan, of OnPoint Charters, reports that anglers are finding excellent red drum action around the marshes of Bogue Sound. These summertime schools are small, consisting of three to six fish, and they are often found cruising the edges of grass banks at mid-tide. Cut and live bait, such as menhaden, mullet, and mud minnows, fished on a Carolina rig are fooling the majority of fish. Anglers can also connect with them using topwater plugs like the Heddon Super Spook Jr. and the MirrOlure Top Dog.
There have been some flounder mixed in with the reds, and that bite should become more consistent as more flatfish move into the inshore waters over the coming weeks. Fishing soft plastics like a 3” Gulp shrimp on a jighead near creek mouths, drop offs, and beside oyster beds will increase your chances of hooking this tasty bottom feeder.
Bogue Sound anglers are also connecting with good sized trout. Fishing deeper water is the key to connecting with the elusive summertime trout. Floating a live or imitation shrimp under heavy structure like docks and bridges will get the attention of any trout in the area. Anglers can also find trout feeding on the surface in area marshes early in the morning. They are often mixed in with schools of red drum and can be caught using the same topwater lures.
Sheepshead and black drum are being caught under area bridges by anglers using fiddler crabs fished on Carolina rigs. Fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and clumps of barnacles will also fool both of these crustacean loving species.
Team Sea Striker with their 564.70 lb. blue marlin, which won them $90,000 at the Swansboro Rotary Bluewater Tournament. Photo courtesy of PointClickFish.com – Ted Lewis.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are finding increasing action with flounder on the back side of Emerald Isle. Fishing near docks and creek mouths with live mullet and mud minnows has been particularly effective, but anglers are also connecting with the fish using Gulp shrimp on jigheads. Mixed in with the flounder are both red and black drum.
Surf anglers are still finding plenty of sea mullet and croakers, and they have also been reporting black drum, redfish, and flounder while fishing fresh shrimp and bits of crab on bottom rigs.
Offshore, anglers are connecting with mahi and king mackerel in the 10-15 mile range while trolling live menhaden and skirted cigar minnows.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that there has been an excellent spanish mackerel bite just off the beach for anglers fishing live baits. Using live baits like menhaden, cigar minnows, and mullet will weed out most of the smaller fish, so anglers may not catch as many fish, but the ones they do catch will be around 4-6 lbs.
Anglers are connecting with more cobia since Tropical Storm Bonnie passed by. The majority of fish have been taken on live baits fished on circle hooks, but anglers can also connect with these powerhouse fighters by tossing 2-3 oz. bucktails tipped with a 6” curly tail jig ahead of a cruising fish.
Further offshore, anglers are connecting with mahi while trolling live and dead baits. Mahi have been found as close as 8 miles offshore, but more consistent action will be had the further offshore you go. Trolling live baits like menhaden, small bluefish, or cigar minnows over offshore structure and near weed lines will fool the mahi, and anglers may also connect with a king mackerel or large spanish mackerel.
Gulf Stream trollers are reporting steady action with gaffer mahi just past the break where they are being found mixed in with the occasional wahoo. Naked or skirted ballyhoo is the best bet for connecting with these bluewater fish.
Bluewater anglers are also finding increasing action with billfish species, with many blue marlin and sailfish being caught recently.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the spanish mackerel and bluefish action has been excellent for anglers working Gocha plugs off the end of the pier. The majority of the action is happening early in the morning, but both species are being caught throughout the day for persistent anglers.
There was also a cobia caught off of the end of the pier recently, and with the increased action just offshore, there should be more coming over the rails any day now.
Anglers that are bottom fishing are reporting spots, croakers, sea mullet, and pompano while soaking Fishbites and shrimp on double drop bottom rigs.
The water is 75 degrees.
