Swansboro – July 7, 2016
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are finding consistent action with large sheepshead lately. Fishing heavy structure like bridges, docks, and seawalls during a rising or falling tide has been the most productive method of finding the fish, but anglers may also find them near large oyster beds or other underwater structure. A live fiddler crab or shrimp fished on a Carolina rig with a short fluorocarbon leader is irresistible to this tasty crustacean lover.
Inshore redfish action has been excellent as of late with plenty of over-slot reds around area marshes and creeks. These hungry reds are taking an interest in a variety of artificial baits throughout the day.
Early and late in the day there is a consistent topwater bite for anglers that can find schools of fish feeding just below the surface, but as the sun comes up and the water warms, the reds go deeper. Fishing in the heat of summer can be difficult, but live and cut bait can tempt bites from a picky red looking for an easy meal.
Anglers are finding speckled trout mixed in with the reds, and while there hasn’t been great numbers of them caught, most of the fish have been 2-3 lbs. Floating a live shrimp under a popping cork near deep channels and under bridges will get the attention of any trout in the area. Black drum are also mixed in with the trout and will take an interest in live shrimp.
Audrey and Katie Pawloski, of Hubert, caught this 26″ redfish on live bait in the waters around Swansboro.
Jonathan, of OnPoint Fishing Charters, report that inshore anglers are connecting with over-slot red drum in the marshes behind Emerald Isle. Gulp baits like the 3” shrimp or jerk shad on a jighead or weedless weighted hook are fooling the majority of these big reds, but they will also take an interest in topwater baits in the morning and evening.
Anglers are also finding flounder mixed in with the reds, but most of the flatfish are being caught under ICW docks where they are hitting live mullet and small menhaden on Carolina rigs.
Boaters are catching large numbers of spanish mackerel just off the beach. The majority of the spanish are in 15-30’of water and can be caught while trolling #0-#1 Clarkspoons behind a #1 planer or 2-3 oz. trolling weight. They can also be caught by throwing Gotcha plugs or Epoxy jigs to feeding schools. Most of these nearshore fish will be smaller 1-2 lb. fish. To find the bigger fish, anglers should move offshore to deeper water in the 5-10 mile range where anglers are catching citation-class spanish and small kings on large mullet and small menhaden using scaled down king rigs.
Anglers are finding more large kings moving inshore. Most of these larger kings are still in the 15-20 mile range, but anglers may be able to find them at nearshore artificial reefs and other live bottom in the 5-10 mile range as the water continues to warm. Live menhaden, bluefish, and blue runners slow trolled over structure, ledges, and rocks will tempt bites from these voracious feeders. Mixed in with the kings are plenty of amberjack, with the occasional mahi and cobia.
Ronnie Spivey, of Rocky Mount, caught this 23″ trout on a 3″ white pogey. He was fishing in his kayak in the Bogue Sound marsh area.
Stukie, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that beach anglers are bringing in a mixed bag recently, with sea mullet, pompano, and bluefish dominating the action. Anglers are also reporting red drum, flounder, and spanish mackerel. Double drop bottom rigs baited with shrimp or sand fleas will fool any of the bottom feeders, but anglers targeting reds and flounder are finding the best action using Carolina rigs baited with live mullet or mud minnows.
Offshore anglers have had a difficult time getting to the Gulf Stream action lately, but the few that have braved the winds have reported steady catches of gaffer mahi inshore of the break. Trolling a variety of artificial plugs as well as naked or skirted ballyhoo near temp breaks, rips, and weedlines is the best way to target mahi. Anglers may also connect with them in the 10-15 mile range throughout the summer while targeting king mackerel.
Angel Cuevas, of Wilmington, with a 30 redfish she caught and released near Sneads Ferry on live bait.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that king mackerel are making a strong showing offshore in the 20 mile range where they are schooled up on underwater structure like wrecks, rocks, ledges, and other live bottom. Most of these fish are in the 10-20 lb. range, but anglers are also finding some citation-quality fish mixed in. Trolling a spread of live menhaden and bluefish is the best way to put some kings in the boat. Mixed in with the kings is the occasional mahi who will take interest in the same baits.
A new wave of cobia has moved into the area, with large numbers of quality fish spotted 3-8 miles offshore. Bucktails tipped with curly tail grubs are the easiest way to tempt bites from cruising fish, but anglers can also catch them while trolling for other species like mahi, kings, or spanish.
Gaffer mahi are being caught in large numbers in the 60’ range where anglers are spotting them feeding on flying fish and sardines, so baits that imitate their food sources are the best bet for putting fish in the boat. Bottom fishing in the same area is producing grouper, black sea bass, snappers, and beeliners.
Past the break, anglers are reporting wahoo, blackfin tuna, sailfish, blue marlin, and white marlin. A diverse spread of both dead and artificial baits is the key to success in the Gulf Stream.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching large numbers of spanish mackerel off of the end of the pier. The majority of the spanish are citation class 6 lb. fish. King anglers also landed two tarpon over the weekend, and with more fish being reported to the south, this trend should continue.
Pier anglers are also connecting with flounder, sea mullet, and pompano while soaking baits on the bottom.
The water is 80 degrees.
