Added on Monday, July 4, 2022  Fish Post

Swansboro/Emerald Isle – July 2022

Randy, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf anglers are seeing a really good spanish mackerel bite. Casting spoons, such as Kastmasters, are great for targeting these schools that push in close to the sand.

There are also plenty of bluefish around, and they are mixed in with the casting action.

Fishing cut baits on the bottom is getting strikes from scattered red and black drum, and bottom rigs fished in deeper cuts between sandbars are producing a variety of sea mullet, pompano, croakers, and a few spots.

A few speckled and gray trout are also running along the beaches.

Though you can’t keep them, there are a ton of flounder being caught and released.

In the sounds, there are plenty of red drum around being caught alongside scattered speckled trout. The deeper holes throughout the ICW are producing the better action.

There are also schools of spanish pushed up into the ICW, especially on the higher tide cycles.

Sheepshead have moved in in force and are staged up around bridges and dock pilings.

Benjamin, of Dudley’s Marina, reports that red drum are just about everywhere and are scattered into small summer schools. Vudu shrimp, live bait, soft plastics, and topwater plugs are all producing, and anglers are having success in both the marshes and around structure in the ICW.

There is lots of bait inshore and throughout the rivers, especially menhaden and smaller finger mullet for anglers looking to do some live bait fishing.

Sheepshead action has been really good around inshore structure. Local bridges and docks are great areas to start targeting with smaller crabs and shrimp.

Nearshore anglers are finding plenty of spanish mackerel around, with quite a few larger fish in the mix, but king mackerel action has now pushed a little further offshore.

Mahi are slowly moving in closer, though most action is still out in the 30+ mile range.

 

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that red drum are scattered out across the marshes and around river mouths. This time of year, there is a good chance most good-looking points or oyster beds in the shallows will hold a fish or two. Anglers shouldn’t expect big schools in these areas and will likely need to keep on the move.

Black drum have been biting very well around the inshore docks and bridges. Fresh shrimp fished on the bottom has been the hot ticket recently.

There have been a lot of bluefish and spanish mackerel pushed inshore. They’re following the bait balls around. Casting light jigs and small live baits have worked well in getting strikes.

Anglers fishing the nearshore reefs are catching large spanish mackerel and scattered kings with live menhaden.

 

Dale, of Fish or Die Charters, reports that the red drum bite continues to be good in the bays and nearshore creeks. Most fish are being caught with Carolina-rigged mullet or menhaden. They are also hitting topwater plugs and soft plastics fished on lightweight jig heads.

Black drum and sheepshead are staged around the inshore bridges and docks. Sea urchins, fiddler crabs, and live shrimp will all entice these fish to bite.

There are plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel running in the ICW and just inside the inlets. Free-lining small finger mullet or peanut pogies works great, as will casting jigs such as Stingsilvers and Blue Water Candy Thingama Jigs in the 1/2-3/4 oz. sizes.

The flounder bite has been phenomenal. Lightweight jig heads rigged with a variety of soft plastics are garnering attention from the flatfish, but you can also count on Carolina-rigged live finger mullet to produce some strikes.

Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that tons of bait, both shrimp and finger mullet, have moved into the inshore areas. This has red drum fired up and feeding just about everywhere. Anglers are finding some big schools back in the marshes around Swansboro and smaller groups of fish pushed out into the ICW. When back in the marshes, Carolina-rigged cut baits have helped produce a few bites. For locating scattered fish in the channels out into the ICW, it has been better to work topwater baits and scout through areas during times of light or no winds.

Some big flounder are also pushed inshore. Anglers are having success fishing bottom-rigged live baits, cut baits, and soft plastics on jigs.

Black drum and sheepshead are staged up around bridges, pilings, and oyster rocks in the ICW and up mainland rivers.

There are a few scattered trout in the area, and most are feeding during times of light boat traffic and in the early mornings.

Off the beach, anglers are catching some good-sized spanish mackerel with live pogies around nearshore structure

 

John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been seeing flying fish in as close as 5 miles while running out on some days, and subsequently the nearshore trips are producing king mackerel and scattered dolphin. This pattern should remain if no big storms push through.

Large amberjacks are abundant this time of year around wrecks and other major structure off the beach. They are usually not shy and ready to actively feed.

 

Josh, of Liquid Fire Sportfishing, reports that the early summer push of mahi off the Crystal Coast has begun. Anglers rigged with smaller Baitmasters ballyhoo and making the run out to 180’+ range are finding a solid bite. Pulling baits at 6-9 knots, depending on the current, has been the magic speed when targeting developed weed lines and floating debris in this area.

Anglers out in this range will also be landing a few large, scattered king mackerel and some amberjacks when getting over structure.

 

Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that some big spanish mackerel have been moving in around the pier, with fish to 5 lbs. being caught on both jigs and live bait.

Anglers fishing off the end have landed some big king mackerel (to 26 lbs.).

There are also plenty of bluefish mixed in the action for anglers casting metal (glass minnow style) jigs.

Bottom fishing has been producing a mixed bag of pompano, sea mullet, and sheepshead.