Swansboro – August 18, 2016
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that big, over-slot reds are schooled up in the ICW throughout Bogue Sound. Live mullet and shrimp on Carolina rigs fished close to docks are fooling the majority of the reds, but artificial imitations such as the MirrOlure M17 or Live Target Hybrid Shrimp may also tempt bites.
There have also been plenty of reds schooled up on the mud flats behind the barrier islands. These shallow water reds have been taking heavy interest in topwater plugs like the Rapala Skitter Walk or MirrOlure 26MR early in the morning before the sun is at full force. Live bait on a Carolina rig will fool them throughout the day.
Speckled trout have been caught in the White Oak River and Queen’s Creek. These temperature sensitive fish have been caught in deep sloughs and shady areas where the water temperature stays a few degrees colder than the surrounding area. A live shrimp under a popping cork is hard for a trout to resist, and it will also get the attention of any redfish or flounder that may also be in the area.
Large flounder are becoming more common as the summer wears on and fall approaches. The biggest flounder are being caught while drifting near Bogue Inlet and nearshore reefs and ledges. Live mullet on a Carolina rig or a 2-3 oz. Spro bucktail tipped with a 3” white Gulp shrimp are the best ways to target the flatfish.
Jennifer Linder with a 31 lb. barracuda caught 15 miles out of Swansboro on a ledge.
Jonathan, of OnPoint Fishing Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite remains steady just off area beaches. The majority of the fish being caught are 3-4 lbs., but there are plenty of 6+ lb. citation-class spanish being put in the boat as well. Palm-sized menhaden and large mullet on scaled down king rigs are the best baits to target the spanish.
The flounder bite has improved recently and should only get better as the summer season draws to a close. Anglers have had the most success fishing under docks, especially those near creek mouths, while using live mullet on Carolina rigs and soft plastics on jigheads. Black drum and red drum are also mixed in with the flounder, and both will take interest in live shrimp or chunks of crab.
Bogue Sound redfish action has been excellent recently despite the recent hot weather. Most of the fish are spread out either by themselves or in groups of 2-4 fish where they are being found patrolling for an easy meal on mud flats, oyster beds, and near grass banks. Topwater plugs, suspending twitch baits, soft plastics, and live bait on Carolina rigs have all been fooling the reds.
Sammy Smith, of Raleigh, with a 13 gag grouper he caught and released under the Emerald Isle Bridge. The fish fell for dead finger mullet on a Carolina rig.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are finding plenty of red drum in area marshes. These inshore reds are taking interest in topwater plugs, live finger mullet, peanut menhaden, and various artificials. There have been reports of scattered trout feeding alongside the reds, but with the recent hot weather the trout are most likely going to be found in deeper, cooler water.
Just off the beach anglers are connecting with large spanish mackerel and the occasional king mackerel while live baiting above heavy structure. The best action has been around AR-342 and Keypost Rocks where anglers can also drift bottom baits like live mullet or bounce Spro bucktails for flounder while waiting for a spanish to take the live line.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that anglers are still finding the occasional sailfish while fishing just inshore of the break, but the bite has definitely slowed down recently. The best offshore action has been the wahoo bite just past the break. Most of the fish are being taken on medium and large ballyhoo (both skirted and naked), but anglers can also connect with the hoo’s using a variety of artificial baits.
Mixed in with the wahoos are scattered mahi and even some blackfin tuna. Smaller baits are the key to success for catching mahi and blackfin, so anglers should keep a variety of baits in the spread to increase their chances of success.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the large spanish mackerel have returned and anglers fishing from the end of the pier are hooking them on live bait rigs while fishing for kings. There was also a large king mackerel caught recently, so anglers should be prepared for a smoker king just in case.
There’s been an excellent flounder bite for anglers bottom fishing with live mullet and mud minnows.
The water is 85 degrees.
