Swansboro – August 28, 2014
Connor and Eddie Jones, of Farmville, NC, with a wahoo that attacked a skirted ballyhoo while they were trolling the Gulf Stream off Beaufort Inlet.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that anglers are seeing a solid speckled trout bite materialize in the area, with limit catches not uncommon last week (and most fish 1-3 lbs.). Most are still feeding in the White Oak River and other mainland tributaries off Bogue Sound, but anglers are starting to see a few specks in the soundside marshes as well. The fish are falling for live shrimp along with topwater plugs and a variety of soft plastic baits.
The red drum action in the marshes remains excellent, with big numbers of upper and over-slot fish falling for topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live and cut mullet.
Big numbers of ladyfish are feeding in the same areas as the specks and reds and falling for the same baits.
Flounder fishing is a bit slower than usual inshore, but anglers dropping Gulp-tipped bucktail jigs to nearshore structure in the ocean are putting together some decent catches.
Big numbers of king mackerel are feeding from the beaches to a few miles offshore, and there are still some outsized spanish (4+ lbs.) feeding alongside them. Both have a tough time resisting live baits like menhaden.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the cold front at the beginning of the week should help to further turn on the speckled trout bite in the area. Anglers can find the specks feeding in the mainland creeks and rivers in the area, with a few moving out in the sound as well. Live shrimp are tough to beat for the trout, but a wide variety of artificial lures will get their attention as well.
The nearshore king mackerel bite has been going strong for over a week, and the cold front should push some bait out into the ocean and keep the action steady in the coming days. Some large spanish mackerel are mixed with the kings, and both will fall for live baits fished around nearshore structure or bait concentrations.
Jackson Smith, of Leesburg, VA, with a 26″ red drum that struck a Carolina-rigged croaker while he was kayak fishing a sea grass flat in Bogue Sound.
Red drum action remains excellent in the marshes and bays off the ICW, where anglers are finding big numbers of upper-slot fish feeding along flooded grass edges and oyster bars. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live and cut baits will all attract attention from the reds.
Flounder are feeding around the inlets and inshore structure along the ICW, where anglers can tempt them to bite live finger mullet or Gulp baits. The flatfish bite also remains strong at nearshore structure in the ocean, where heavier bucktail jigs tipped with Gulps are the best bets.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers continue to see some cobia around bottom structure out to the 70-80’ depths. Amberjacks are feeding in the same areas, and both fish will pounce on live menhaden or other baits.
Some dolphin have moved into the same areas, and anglers landed bailers and a solid gaffer within sight of land last week.
Dropping baits to the bottom around the structure is producing a few gag grouper and plenty of sea bass, grunts, and other bottom feeders. Live baits are fooling the gags, with cut baits and squid the best bets for the smaller fish.
There’s still some action with large spanish mackerel and kings around nearshore rocks, reefs, and bait concentrations. Live menhaden on light wire leaders will tempt bites from both mackerel.
Beth Ward, of Wilmington, with a 31″ red drum she caught and released behind Lea Island while fishing aboard the “BeDeFish.”
Stukie, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that the red drum bite in the marshes remains strong throughout Bogue Sound, and most anglers are hooking up with the fish on topwater plugs.
The speckled trout action is turning on with the first hints of cooler weather. Anglers are hooking big numbers of trout in the White Oak River, but the bite’s turning on around Bogue Inlet and in the Coast Guard channel as well. Live shrimp are tough to beat for the trout, but a variety of artificials will also fool them.
Surf casters are still mostly seeing a mixed bag of panfish like spot, sea mullet, and croaker.
Both pier anglers and nearshore boaters are seeing some solid king mackerel action just off the beachfront, with live baits doing most of the damage. A few cobia are in the same areas as well and also biting live baits.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are still seeing plenty of king mackerel action while live-baiting from the end of the pier (with some fish 30+ lbs.). A few cobia are in the mix as well, and anglers are hooking both on bluefish, menhaden, and other baits.
Plug casters continue to connect with solid numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet and pompano on shrimp and other baits.
A few flounder are falling for live baits fished under the pier.
The water is 83 degrees.
