Swansboro/Emerald Isle – April 2024
Morgan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf and pier anglers are starting to see sea mullet showing up. Some big pufferfish have also been mixed in with the bottom fishing action.
The pier had some nice-sized black drum landed, too.
Bluefish are starting to show in the surf zone.
Anglers are beginning to catch some quality trout (4-7 lbs.) as these fish move out of their winter areas, and topwater plugs are just beginning to get some attention.
Sheepshead are moving back inshore and staging up around the hard structures.
Those that have made it offshore have found wahoo and good bottom catches of vermilion snapper and keeper black sea bass.
Rod Olsen, of Toadfish Mafia, found this red drum in the Core Sound using a soft plastic paddle tail on a 1/8 oz. jig head.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are ready for some warm weather patterns to get out and target Atlantic bonito. At the start of this bite, target these fish in the 3-6 mile range and focus on areas of structure. Trolling will be a great way to cover ground and locate the bait and schools of bonito that tend to be subsurface in the early stages, but keep casting jigs such as Stingsilvers ready for those times everything pushes to the surface.
Inshore anglers are seeing some good red drum action as these fish break from the winter patterns. The reds are starting to spread out in the marsh in lesser groups, and smaller soft plastics have worked best in enticing strikes.
Black drum have been active for those targeting oyster beds and holes near hard structure with bait shrimp.
Speckled trout action hasn’t changed much. If the area gets a long stretch of warm weather, look for these fish to push out of the creeks and into the ICW.
Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that temperature fluctuations have the red drum moving in between the surf zone and sounds. Anglers will have the best shot of action fishing marshy areas right inside the inlets. These larger winter schools have been breaking up a bit, with smaller groups starting to move around more. There isn’t any real consistency to size, with reds of all sizes (small, slot-sized, and even some over-slot) all moving together. Soft plastics have been the best option. Bait fishing does have its time of success, but the snot grass has been breaking up and that makes bottom fishing more difficult.
Speckled trout are still in the backs of the creeks.
Black drum fishing remains a great option. Target docks (preferrably with other structure nearby) with a Carolina-rigged shrimp.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that any day now we should start seeing Atlantic bonito in the area. In quick time after will be some false albacore, and then spanish mackerel as water temperatures get close to 70 degrees. For nearshore fishing, it’ll be all about trolling with Clarkspoons to target subsurface schools until you can find them breaking the surface.
The speckled trout are moving out of the deeper holes in the backs of creeks and settling around creek mouths.
Red drum are still schooled up, but they’re starting to slowly break out into smaller groups.
Nathan Wheeler, of Richmond, VA, found this 24″ red drum in the waters around Swansboro using a Berkley Gulp Shrimp. He was fishing with Capt. Jeff Cronk of FISH’N4LIFE Charters.
Tyler, of Drumroll Charters, reports that trips in the river are starting to see speckled trout get on the move. Anglers will do best by targeting the shallower shoreline structure, such as stumps or hard marsh edges. Paul Brown twitch baits or soft plastics are having plenty of success. Topwater action should come shortly, but the fish aren’t active enough to swipe at those baits just yet.
Red drum are starting to show up and be more active.
Atlantic bonito should be arriving up almost any day now. These schools will be found anywhere from Bogue Inlet out to Shark Island.
Tony, of Fin FinderZ, reports that some of the smaller bluefish are already moving into areas to the south, a sign that conditions are on the edge of breaking loose.
Atlantic bonito haven’t made their showing just yet. Anglers need to keep their efforts up and an eye on reports. When these schools pop up in our area, the opportunity window happens fast (and can be over fast).
The majority of false albacore are still further off the beach (10+ mile range), and they’re mostly being seen by anglers making a run to the Gulf Stream or deeper bottom areas.
Bottom fishing is producing plenty of black sea bass and vermilion snapper.
Gulf Stream runs are targeting wahoo, and this bite continues through April.
Chris, of Spooled Rotten Fishing Charters, reports that black sea bass action in the 85’+ area has started to pick up. The water temperatures have begun creeping up, and this is improving the bite.
Anglers looking deeper (100’+ areas) are finding some vermilion snapper and triggerfish.
Those looking forward to grouper season opening have noted that there’s been some scamp grouper in the 140’ area.
This deeper structure is also holding large (40+ lb.) amberjacks for anglers dropping jigs and looking to test their gear.
Offshore trolling action has been producing some wahoo.
Closer to the beach, many are awaiting the arrival of Atlantic bonito. Schools have been seen to the south of our area, so any day now, expect them along the beaches.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers found some keeper black drum (to 6.4 lbs.) and sea mullet.
The occasional smaller spot was also in the action.
The pier anticipates better numbers of sea mullet moving into the area in the near future.
Bluefish are showing up to the south, so any day now we will start seeing catches from the pier.
