Added on Tuesday, August 12, 2008  Gary Hurley

Swansboro August 7, 2008

Jeff, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that good numbers of red drum (from 22-30+”) are feeding in the Swansboro-area backwaters. Rapala topwater baits and Gulp baits fished on spinnerbaits and jigheads are producing plenty of strikes from the reds.

Good places to look for the reds are in flooded bays and marshes during high tides and in deeper channels like Trout Creek, Banks Channel, Saunders Channel, Cow Channel, and the inlet channels at lower tides. Docks along the Swansboro and Cedar Point waterfronts are also producing slot-sized and larger drum.

Anglers have been catching a lot of flounder lately. Most are in the 1-3 lb. range, but a good number of citation fish (5+ lbs.) have been weighed in over the past week. Carolina rigs with 4-5″ mullet and Gulp baits fished on bucktails and jigheads are fooling most of the flounder.

Black drum, specks, bluefish, ladyfish, and sheepshead are feeding in the channels between the ICW and inlets. Live shrimp fished near eddies in the current will produce bites from all these species. Float rigs allow the most natural presentation for the shrimp.

King mackerel are feeding at spots 5-10 miles off Bogue Inlet (and many are 20-30 lbs.). Lost Rock, Honeymoon Rock, 45 Minute Rock, East Rock, and the Southeast Bottoms are all good places to look for the kings, and live baits will fool them into biting.

Some sailfish are feeding in the same areas, and they will fall for the live baits that anglers are trolling for kings.

 

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that there’s been good action with red drum in the mornings in the marshes near Swansboro, Emerald Isle, and behind Bear Island. Topwater plugs are fooling the fish, and Gulp flukes will prove very effective as well.

There have been good numbers of flounder (some 5+ lbs.) feeding in the deeper channels near Bogue Inlet. Docks in deep water along the Swansboro waterfront are also producing action with the flatfish. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs will get their attention. Anglers can also find some flounder feeding in the marshes.

Spanish mackerel are feeding around the inlet and in the channels inshore. Live finger mullet or other baits free-lined while anglers are fishing for flounder or other species will fool the spaniards.

 

Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that anglers are catching some big spanish mackerel while fishing live finger mullet near the beaches around schools of bait and fish breaking the water.

Big flounder are feeding on the live bottoms and structure just off Bogue Inlet, and they will fall for live baits on Carolina rigs or bucktails and Bio Bait shrimp.

King mackerel are feeding close to the beaches as well. Anglers are jigging up bait around the Charlie and D Buoys and hooking fish in the same areas.

Some barracuda are hanging around the buoys, too, so anglers should play their fish quickly in order to avoid losing part of them.

Small dolphin are feeding around the Rocks South.

 

Stan, of Capt. Stanman’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding some big king mackerel at spots like the 1700 Rock on the east side of Cape Lookout. Live pogies are the top baits, but they’ve been somewhat difficult to find lately. And anglers haven’t had much luck in the hot water penning up the pogies they are catching.

Smaller king mackerel and dolphin are feeding around the C and D Buoys, SW Bottoms, Jerry’s Reef, and Bogue’s East Rock. It’s sailfish time off Bogue Inlet, and anglers may well encounter one while trolling for the kings and dolphin within 10 miles of the inlet. Live greenies, cigar minnows, and pogies are the ticket to hooking the kings, dolphin, and sails, and blue/white Cape Lookout skirts will make them even more attractive.

 

Dale, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are still catching red drum on topwaters and spinnerbaits in the marshes. Gold Nemire buzzbaits have been particularly effective lately.

Spanish mackerel fishing has been productive within two miles of the beaches for boats trolling Clarkspoons.

Kings, cobia, sailfish, and dolphin are looking for meals at structure 5-14 miles offshore, and live baits should attract attention from all of them.

The grouper bite has still been excellent (mostly for reds) in the 40-50 mile range.

 

Rhonda, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching some whiting on cut shrimp.

Sheepshead are feeding along the pier’s pilings, and sand fleas will tempt them to bite.

Anglers casting Gotcha plugs are hooking a few bluefish.

Several flounder were caught over the week, but most were on the small side.