Swansboro – April 23. 2015
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are finding plenty of red drum feeding in the marshes off Bogue Sound. Bait continues to show up in increasing volume in the area and, consequently, the fish are feeding more actively by the week. They’ve begun biting topwater plugs well, and anglers can also hook up while casting Gulps or other soft baits blind or to fish they spot cruising or feeding. If the reds are reluctant to bite, cut mullet or chunks or crab soaked in likely areas will offer anglers the best odds of success.
Evan, Anthony, and Alaina Miller, of Richmond, VA, with a pair of upper-slot red drum they landed while soaking cut mullet near some oyster rocks off Bogue Sound. They were fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
There’s been a good sea mullet bite along the edges of the ICW and other deep channels inshore, and anglers can hook plenty of the tasty panfish on spec or bottom rigs tipped with shrimp or Fish Bites. Plenty of gray trout are in the same areas and biting the same baits (but many are undersized).
Flounder are beginning to show up around the inlets and in the marshes, where they’ll bite Gulp baits or live mud minnows.
Bluefish are feeding along the beachfront and beginning to push into the inlets. The blues will strike a variety of baits and metal trolling or casting lures.
Mark Flynn with a 23″ red drum that struck a Zoom Super Fluke in a marsh near Swansboro while he was fishing with Capt. Dale Collins of Fish or Die Charters.
Anglers venturing to nearshore structure in the ocean can find action with more bluefish along with black sea bass and gray trout. All will pounce on bucktail or metal jigs along with a variety of baits.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some dolphin and blackfin tuna while trolling the edge of the Gulf Stream off Bogue Inlet. Most are falling for ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures. The dolphin should become more and more numerous as April turns to May and their spring run hits its peak.
Bottom fishermen can find plenty of legal black sea bass along with some gag grouper (harvest opens May 1) at bottom structure 10-20 miles offshore. Both will bite a variety of baits on bottom rigs or bucktail and metal jigging lures.
Atlantic bonito have made their spring appearance at bottom structure within 5-10 miles of the beachfront, and they’ll be here for a short time before disappearing until next spring. Anglers can find the bonito by looking for fish chasing bait on the surface or diving birds attacking the bait from above, and then cast metal lures like diamond jigs around the action to hook up. Trolling small spoons and diving plugs can also be effective, especially when the fish aren’t feeding on top.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports the bite is picking up a bit for surf and pier bottom fishermen at Emerald Isle. Pufferfish, sea mullet, black drum, and plenty of skates and rays are taking an interest in shrimp and cut baits pinned to double-drop bottom rigs.
Bluefish have also shown up along the beachfront. They’ll bite bottom rigs along with metal casting jigs and Gotcha plugs.
Red drum are feeding in the backwater marshes and bays in the area. Anglers can cast a variety of soft plastic baits to fish they spot or soak cut baits like mullet to hook the fish blind.
There have also been reports of some solid sea mullet action in the ICW near the Emerald Isle Bridge.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that there’s been plenty of action for bottom fishermen fishing the planks. Black drum (some to 8 lbs.), sea mullet, pufferfish, pigfish, and a few early pompano (some 2+ lbs.) have been coming over the rails, primarily for anglers soaking shrimp.
Bluefish are also feeding around the pier and taking an interest in bottom rigs and casting lures.
The water is 66 degrees.
