Swansboro August 2, 2012
Cobe Siebrecht (age 11), of Alta, Iowa, with a 4 lb. speckled trout that struck live finger mullet on a Carolina rig near an oyster bar in the White Oak River. He was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Guide Service.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that early morning high tides produced some excellent fishing inshore around Swansboro last week. The rain cooled off the water and had bait and fish on the move, so anglers have had to scout around a little to find the best action.
The most consistent bite has been in the White Oak River lately, where anglers are hooking speckled trout (some to 4+ lbs.) and red and black drum around oyster beds. Live shrimp and finger mullet on Carolina and float rigs will tempt bites from all three of the inshore predators.
There have also been some reds tailing around oyster rocks at lower tides, offering some exciting sight-casting opportunities. Gulp baits and live baits are producing action with the tailers.
Sheepshead are still feeding around bridge and dock pilings in the area, and some larger fish have been looking for meals around oyster rocks on the flats. Anglers who have a live shrimp or crab ready to toss to fish they see working the oysters stand a strong chance of hooking one of the bigger (5+ lbs.) fish.
Flounder are feeding around boat docks and other structure inshore, and Gulp baits or live finger mullet are top choices for the flatfish. Anglers drifting the inlet and connecting channels with live baits are also hooking good numbers of flounder.
The flatfish bite is also still going strong at the nearshore reefs when anglers can get out, but Bogue Inlet is badly shoaled right now and it can be a tough proposition at lower tides or when the wind’s blowing hard. Bucktails tipped with Gulp baits are the way to go for the flatties in the ocean.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that inshore anglers are catching good numbers of drum and flounder along with a few speckled trout right now. Live shrimp and finger mullet will tempt bites from all three.
The red drum bite has also been good around the point at Bogue Inlet, where anglers are hooking the fish on cut baits and finger mullet.
Kayden Roberts (age 11), of Cary, NC, with a 22" red drum he hooked in a marsh near Swansboro while fishing with his family with Capt. Jeff Cronk of FishN4Life Charters.
Some flounder have also been hooked in the inlet and by surf casters along the beachfront.
Some pompano have been feeding in the breakers as well, and surf and pier anglers caught decent numbers last week on shrimp and sand fleas.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding in the inlet and just offshore, and anglers are hooking them along with plenty of bluefish while trolling Clarkspoons.
Larger spanish mackerel continue to feed around the AR’s and other nearshore structure, and anglers can tempt them to bite live menhaden or finger mullet.
Flounder are feeding on the bottom in the same areas, where 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits will attract their attention.
A few king mackerel are showing up around the Hutton and Southeast Bottoms. Live menhaden and live or dead cigar minnows are tempting bites from the kings.
The wahoo bite has turned back on offshore, with good reports coming from spots like the Swansboro Hole and the Rise last week. Ballyhoo trolled under skirted lures are producing most of the action with the wahoo.
Herb, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that there’s been a solid sea mullet bite during the late afternoons recently. Some spadefish and a few black drum are also biting bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Anglers are hooking some flounder on small live baits fished under the pier.
Some spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs worked from the planks.
Live baiters landed a 17 lb. false albacore from the end of the pier last week.
