Swansboro – September 29, 2016
Jonathan, of On Point Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum bite is strong in the marshes behind the barrier islands as well as deep channels near area inlets. Live mullet or mud minnows on Carolina rigs fished closed to grass banks, oyster bars, and mud flats have been producing the best results throughout the day. Topwater plugs tossed ahead of feeding fish have been most productive in the mornings and evenings, and then throughout the day on cloudy days.
Anglers are connecting with more speckled trout recently with good numbers of keeper fish being caught. Jerk shad pinned to jigheads and live shrimp under a popping cork have been tempting bites from these hungry specs around hard current breaks and oyster beds near area inlets. Live mullet on Carolina rigs may also tempt bites from both the trout and any flounder that may be holding in the same areas.
Just off the beach, spanish mackerel and false albacore have been feeding on large schools of glass minnows, and they can be caught trolling #0-#1 Clarkspoons behind a teaser bird or by casting flashy jigs into schools of fish that can be spotted busting bait on the surface. Small king mackerel are mixed in with the spanish, and false albacore will also take interest in live bait and slow trolled cigar minnows on Hank Brown rigs.
Fisher Heverly, of Emerld Isle, with a cobia caught on a live mullet. He was fishing out of Bogue Inlet.
Stukey, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are connecting with small blues and spanish mackerel just outside the inlet while trolling #00-#1 Clarkspoons behind a teaser bird or #1 planer. Scattered false albacore are mixed in and can be fooled while trolling or by casting shiny lures like Epoxy jigs, Stingsilvers, or diamond jigs ahead of feeding fish.
Flounder, speckled trout, and puppy drum are being found in backwater creeks by anglers fishing live bait on Carolina rigs and artificial shrimp underneath a popping cork. Areas with large concentrations of bait like current rips, grass points, oyster beds, and drop-offs are holding good numbers of all three species. Flounder have been found most consistently in the Coast Guard channel by anglers fishing live baits under docks and beside seawalls.
Surf zone anglers are reporting increased success catching puppy drum and the occasional over-slot red. Fresh mullet on fish finder rigs with large circle hooks have been the most productive method for connecting with one of these hungry reds. Black drum and sea mullet have been caught on fresh shrimp on double drop bottom rigs.
Cary Powers, of Magnolia, with a 6.2 lb. flounder caught in the waters around Swansboro. The fish fell for a finger mullet on a Carolina rig.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that anglers are finding consistent bottom fishing in 60-90’ of water. Gag grouper, black sea bass, beeliners, and triggerfish are being caught on live bait like small pinfish and mullet on Carolina rigs with large circle hooks. Gulp shrimp on 2-3 oz. bucktails will also tempt bites from this mixed bag of tasty bottom feeders.
The king mackerel bite has improved recently with some large fish being caught close to shore. Most of the kings are still feeding in the 10 mile range, but they are slowly making their way inshore. Live menhaden or bluefish on live bait rigs slow trolled over live bottom, ledges, wrecks, or rocks will tempt bites from these hungry kings.
Large spanish mackerel have also been caught in the same area, and they will take interest in the same baits.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the king mackerel bite has been excellent off of the end of the pier, with some large 25 lb. fish landed within the last week. Anglers soaking baits on the bottom have been connecting with red drum, black drum, sea mullet, and pompano while fishing with fresh shrimp, mullet, and mud minnows.
The water is 82 degrees.
