Swansboro August 14, 2008
Matt Hasfken and Jeremy Markowski, of Baltimore, MD, and Abe Ortiz of Houston, TX, with the 19 lb. king mackerel that took first place in the 5th annual OBSFC Take the Troops Fishing Day, held August 9th. Jeremy caught the king while the Marines were fishing aboard the "Mister Stanman" with Capt. Stan Jarusinski.
Jeff, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that redfish continue to inundate the backwaters of Swansboro, but the hot temperatures at mid-day have slowed the bite during the lowest part of falling tide. The best action has still been on topwater baits and Gulp pogies and shrimp on jigheads, spinnerbaits, and float rigs.
There are plenty of flounder in the internal waters, with a lot of undersize fish in the deep water around the ICW and inlets. The larger fish are holding around rocky structure, bridges, dock pilings, oyster rocks, and around area grass flats. Live finger mullet and Gulp baits are top choices for the flatfish.
Chopper blues along with ladyfish are working the shoals around the inlets and the sand flats of Bogue Sound and the White Oak River. Topwater plugs fished near schools of finger mullet should interest both species.
The sheepshead bite has been off one day and on the next with most fish ranging from 0.5-3 lbs., with a few big fish around the oyster rocks and grass flats. Fiddler crabs should get attention from the sheepshead.
There are still a few speckled trout ranging from 1-3 lbs. coming from the Swansboro waterfront and bridge area, as well as Bear and Brown’s Inlets. The deeper inlet connecting channels will have some specks moving through as well. Live shrimp, Gulps, and MirrOlures will get attention from the trout.
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Sammy Shapiro, of VA, with a 4 lb. speckled trout he caught in the New River. The trout fell for a live shrimp under a Billy Bay float while he was fishing with Capt. Brent Banks of Specktacular Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the hot weather has the inshore bite best early and late in the day. Anglers are finding some red drum working the marshes and bays near Bogue and Brown’s Inlets, with some black drum in the same areas.
The reds are falling for topwater plugs and Gulp baits, and anglers are finding small Gulp shrimp to be very effective on the black drum. Live shrimp are even more effective, but the rampant pinfish make them difficult to fish.
Speckled trout are feeding beneath the bridges and in deeper water throughout the area. Live shrimp fished beneath slip floats will allow anglers to target the depth they’re feeding.
The flounder bite continues to be good around structure in the deeper channels near the inlet and along the Swansboro waterfront, and some solid fish are moving into the creeks and the White Oak River. Carolina-rigged finger mullet are top choices for the flatfish.
Some big sheepshead (up to 8+ lbs.) are feeding around oyster rocks in the marshes, and fiddler crabs should get their attention.
A lot of bluefish and ladyfish are feeding in the channels near the inlet and the ICW. Topwater plugs will get attention from both, and Gulp baits and live shrimp are very effective as well.
Anglers are catching good numbers of spanish mackerel in the ICW and channels near the inlet. Live finger mullet and trolled Clarkspoons will attract attention from the spanish.
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Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that there’s been plenty of bait and some solid kings hanging around the D Buoy. Light-lined baits like greenies will draw strikes from the kings. Barracuda are at the buoy, too, making it difficult to land the kings at times.
Some dolphin are also feeding at the D Buoy, as well as at Christmas Rock and the SE Bottoms, but most are small.
Anglers are hooking cobia on live baits around the C and D Buoys.
Boats hooked significant numbers of sailfish at East Rock last week on live baits, and several near the C Buoy as well.
The spanish bite has been good along the beach, and many boats have been catching limits in a hurry. Some larger 4-6 lb. fish are mixed in with the schoolies.
The flounder bite is still strong on the nearshore ledges and live bottoms, and dropping a bucktail tipped with a scented bait will get their attention.
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James, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf fishermen are hooking some whiting, pompano, and bluefish.
Flounder are feeding in the backwaters, and anglers can hook them on Carolina-rigged live baits.
There are still some red drum in the marshes, and topwater plugs and live finger mullet have been enticing them to bite.
Offshore, the dolphin are moving closer to the beaches, and anglers are finding some kings around as well.
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Herb, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching some solid spanish mackerel (up to 4 lbs.) on live pogies and Gotcha plugs.
A few flounder are coming over the rails on live baits.
Bottom fishermen are catching some bluefish, spadefish, and whiting on shrimp.
The water is 79 degrees.
