Swansboro August 19, 2010
Jackie Spencer with a king mackerel he hooked off Bogue Inlet while fishing with his son.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that there are still plenty of spanish mackerel feeding along the beaches, with huge schools of fish (1-3 lbs.) chasing bait outside the inlet on falling tides. Diamond jigs and 1/8-1/4 oz. leadheads and small soft plastics will fool the spaniards.
Larger spanish (to 5+ lbs.) are feeding around nearshore structure in the early mornings and will take an interest in small live pogies.
Some large king mackerel are likely around and feeding on the spanish.
Anglers are finding consistent action with king mackerel, amberjacks, and barracuda at structure in the 5-10 mile range, and all will fall for live baits.
The flounder bite’s still decent on the nearshore reefs and live bottoms, and anglers are picking the fish up on live baits and bucktails tipped with Gulps.
Inshore flounder fishing has improved, and anglers are catching good numbers of flatfish (to 5+ lbs.) around docks, creekmouths, and deeper marsh edges in the area. Live baits or Gulps will fool the flatties inshore.
There are some schools of red drum feeding on the oyster rocks and shallow bays in the rivers and creeks. Casting topwater plugs early in the day or spinnerbaits and live pogies a little later on will attract attention from the reds.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that that large spanish mackerel and flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs off Bogue Inlet. Live baits will fool both, but anglers should fish on top for the spanish and bottom for the flatties. Bouncing bucktails tipped with Gulp or natural baits around the structure will also fool the flounder.
Offshore, there have been plenty of amberjacks around high-relief structure in 70-80’ of water lately. Anglers can tempt them to bite live baits, vertical jigs, topwater plugs, and more.
Some dolphin are feeding in the same areas, and anglers should look for them around floating debris or concentrations of flying fish.
Capt. Bobby Borquin, of Teezher Charters, and Josh Reid, of Winchester, VA, with a 30.3 lb. king mackerel that fell for a live pogie near the Keypost while they were fishing out of Bogue Inlet.
Jordan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that there are still some red drum feeding in the marshes, but they’re becoming increasingly difficult to locate and predict. Live baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs are the way to go for the reds.
Flounder fishing’s been solid around docks and deep holes inshore, where anglers are hooking up with the fish on Gulp baits.
Surf anglers are picking up some spot and pompano (with small and large fish mixed together). Shrimp will fool both.
The spanish mackerel bite is still decent off Bogue Inlet, and anglers can target the larger fish with small live baits instead of spoons.
Joanne, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching some whiting and pompano on sand fleas and shrimp on bottom rigs. Some spot are in the mix at night.
Plug casters are picking away at the bluefish and spanish mackerel in the mornings, mostly on Gotchas.
