Swansboro/Emerald Isle – November 2024
Morgan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers bottom fishing from the surf are catching sea mullet, red drum, and some big pompano (in the 2.0-2.5 lb. range).
Schools of false albacore are moving into the surf zone, as anglers have been able to cast to them both from the beaches and the local piers.
A ton of bluefish are in the surf.
Even though water temperatures have been cooling down, the area hasn’t really seen any trout action on the oceanside.
Soundside anglers are catching red drum on cut bait, though the finger mullet are moving out.
A ton of big bluefish are being caught in the ICW.
Structure along the ICW is producing black drum and sheepshead.
Just off the beach, schools of spanish mackerel are still hanging around.
Those running offshore are returning with wahoo.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has been solid everywhere from the inlets to the backs of creeks. Live shrimp rigged on either jig heads or under slip corks have been working well, but the artificial bite is starting to pick up with water temperatures cooling down.
Anglers have found a lot of gray trout in deeper channels between the inlet and the nearshore reefs. These trout like deep water and strong currents, so rig up something heavy that you can jig in these areas.
Redfish are starting to show back up in the shallower, muddy bays of the marsh. The reds are also out in the surf zone along the beaches.
Black drum are in the same inshore areas as the redfish.
Kris Morrison, of Raleigh, landed this 27″ red drum in the Swansboro area using a cut finger mullet. He was fishing with Capt. Matt Littleton of Friendly City Fishing Charters.
Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout is the name of the game. Cold fronts have fired off the action, with anglers now finding trout just about everywhere from the marshes and inlet areas back into the creeks.
Live shrimp is a great option, especially when fishing in the creek areas around oyster rocks. For the most part, though, anglers have been having better success with soft plastics (such as lighter weighted jerk shads) as they can scout through areas quicker. Zoom baits in Golden Bream or Baby Bass color patterns have been working really well. Overall, 1/8 oz. jig heads have been best, but when fishing a deeper area or heavier currents, up the weight to a 1/4 oz.
Numbers wise, most of the trout are in the marshes. The bigger trout aren’t truly showing yet, as that typically happens further into November.
Most of the red drum in the area have moved out into the surf zone. Anglers looking to target these reds can run up and down the beach just outside the breakers. The best conditions are lighter north winds on higher tides.
Jacob, of Southern Tides Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has been the main target. Anglers are finding the specks all over, from areas closer to the ocean up into the deeper holes in the rivers and creeks. These early season fish are usually smaller, with larger ones only occasionally mixed in.
Black drum are hit or miss, though the bite seems to be picking up. Areas around the inlets have been a little better, with live shrimp or fresh dead shrimp working well.
Red drum numbers are good up in the creeks and in the backs of marshes. Most of the reds are smaller fish and are hitting live shrimp under corks.
The live shrimp setups are also producing plenty of bluefish and the occasional flounder.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports that most of the trout are staged up around deepwater structure. Holes with 15-20’ depths around bridges and the inlets have been producing most of the bites.
Some gray trout (to 4-5 lbs.) are also mixed in in these deepwater areas.
The red drum action has been somewhat steady, with live bait being key for fishing areas around structure.
King mackerel are scattered from just off the beach to out over nearshore structure in the 10-15+ mile range.
When you can get offshore, wahoo fishing has been steady.
Keith Bradwell, of Apex, landed this citation king mackerel trolling in 25′ of water offshore of Emerald Isle using live menhaden. He was fishing with Capt. John Parks of Early Riser Fishing Charters & Guide Services.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that the king mackerel have been chewing, with anglers having a lot of success fishing just a mile or two off the beach. On some days, the kings are in as close as the 20-30’ depth range. Live bait is the best to use this time of year, though at times it can become hard to locate and catch what you need for the day. It is a good idea to plan ahead and collect bait the day before, and then leave them in a pen for the next day.
Speckled trout fishing is getting better by the day, especially with these cooler weather patterns becoming more common. The fish have begun their move towards the creeks, and they’re hitting best in the early mornings. Subsurface baits have been the top producers, with a few fish also being caught with topwater plugs.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing mixed bags that include blowfish, spots, sea mullet, and some pompano. The pompano have been good-sized, too, with fish to 2+ lbs. in the mix.
A few sheepshead are being caught from around the pilings.
The pier has been seeing a puppy drum or two being caught each day.
False albacore have made a nice showing in the area. Fish up to 5+ lbs. are being caught from the planks by anglers sight casting to surface-feeding schools.
