Added on Thursday, June 12, 2008  Gary Hurley

Swansboro June 12, 2008

Jeff, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that anglers are experiencing incredible action with red drum right now in the bays and backwaters throughout the Swansboro area. Gulp Shrimp and pogies fished on light jigheads or spinnerbaits are getting the drum’s attention.

Bluefish (most fat fish from 4-8 lbs.) are feeding along the grass flats in Bogue Sound and the sand flats near the inlets. The blues have been quite willing to strike topwater baits.

Summer flounder continue to feed better by the week between the ICW and the inlets, but many are still falling short of the 15″ minimum size. The bigger flatfish are holding around pylons, rockpiles, oyster rocks, and the edges of grass flats, and they should respond well to Carolina-rigged live baits or Gulp baits.

Sheepshead fishing has been good for fish (mostly 1-4 lbs.) around pylons and other rocky structure. Larger fish (up to 8+ lbs.) have been cruising the grass flats.

The feeder creeks behind the barrier islands are surrendering some speckled trout (most 1-4 lbs.). Live shrimp fished under floats and Gulp 3 and 4″ pogies on light jigheads have been producing the most action with the specks.

 

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that sheepshead fishing has been excellent around dock and bridge pilings and other hard structure lately. Dropping crabs or live shrimp next to the structure should get the sheepshead’s attention. Some larger sheepshead and a few black drum are cruising oyster rocks in the marshes at high tides. A live shrimp with a light split shot should entice them to bite.

Reds are feeding in the shallow bays and along shorelines behind all the area’s barrier islands. The fish are a bit more scattered than when they were in the large schools when the water was cooler, but there are still plenty around looking for meals. Gulp baits in the Smelt color fished on light jigheads will draw bites from the reds.

Flounder fishing is a bit slow for this time of year, but anglers are hooking up with flatfish while fishing the deeper channels in the marshes, especially near the inlets. Live baits, such as finger mullet, on Carolina rigs or Gulp baits on jigheads should produce some action with the flatfish.

Speckled trout and bluefish are feeding in the deeper channels leading to Bear and Brown’s Inlets, particularly on rising tides. Anglers will find the fish along the channel edges, especially where bait is present.

Big spanish mackerel have been feeding with abandon between Bogue Inlet and the pier. Live baiters caught a number up to 6 lbs. last week.

Some cobia are cruising along the beaches looking for meals, and several have been hooked in Bogue Inlet.

 

Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that boats trolling the east side of Bogue Inlet are easily boating limits of spanish mackerel. Trolling #00 Clarkspoons or Yo-Zuri Deep Divers will produce action with the spanish.

The nearshore live bottoms are producing some flounder (a few up to 4 lbs.). Spro bucktails tipped with Gulp shrimp will get attention from the flounder, and some fat sea bass feeding on the same structure.

School-sized king mackerel are feeding around the SE Bottoms, Christmas Rock, and the D Buoy. Some peanut dolphin (and a few up to 10 lbs.) were caught around AR-340 and 345 this week. Live cigar minnows will produce results on the kings and smaller dolphin, but anglers who have difficulty getting live bait can hook up while trolling dead baits on green and chartreuse Pirate Plugs. Amberjacks are feeding at the AR’s off Bogue Inlet, and anglers are hooking up with the hard fighters on butterfly jigs.

Bottom fishing around 15 miles off the inlet has produced some gag grouper lately, with live cigar minnows producing the best action.

Further offshore around the Naeco and Cripple Rock, anglers are catching some big gaffer dolphin and a few wahoo. Bottom fishermen are finding good numbers of red grouper and snapper in the area.

 

Stan, of Capt. Stanman’s Charters, reports that dolphin are moving closer to the beaches, and anglers should be able to find some at the SE Bottoms, Rock South of 13, 210 and 240 Rocks, Jerry’s Reef, and the NW Places over the coming weeks. Some sailfish should also be making an appearance in the same area soon.

Bottom fishing has been excellent within 15 miles of Bogue Inlet recently, with anglers landing grouper, beeliners, triggerfish, sea bass, red snapper, and more. Live or dead cigar minnows are producing the most action, and anglers bottom fishing should pin a bait to a weightless light-line to hook up with any kings, dolphin, wahoo, or barracuda in the area.

The cobia fishing has slowed, with only a few caught recently, and it seems likely the fish have already moved north.

 

James, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf fishermen are catching a few whiting and pompano on shrimp. Some bluefish are still around as well, but the action has slowed a bit.

Spanish mackerel are feeding well along the surf line in the mornings.

King mackerel are feeding well at spots in the 5-10 mile range, and some boats have limited out while trolling live cigar minnows.

Dolphin have moved inshore to spots like the 30 Minute Rock, 45 Minute Rock, and SE Bottoms. Trolling skirted ballyhoo should prove irresistible to the dolphin.

Inshore, the red drum bite is still good in the sound, with many anglers doing well on topwaters.

 

Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the bluefish and spanish mackerel bite has been solid very early in the mornings. Gotcha plugs are producing the most action.

Bottom fishermen are catching some pompano and a few whiting on shrimp.

The water temperature is 78 degrees.