Swansboro/Emerald Isle – March 21, 2019
Dallas, of Pogie’s Fishing Center, reports that lots of smaller schools of small reds have been swimming around the area. Fishing at low tide will give access to the fish, which are sticking to structure such as oyster points and bars. Zoom and Z-Man jerk shads in natural colors are working for bait.
The trout bite that has been consistent throughout the winter is starting to taper off, and it will continue to do so over the next few weeks as the water warms. DOA Shrimp in root beer, chartreuse, nuclear chicken, and white have been connecting with the trout.
Water clarity has improved over the last few weeks, and more bait should be coming through soon, which will open up more opportunities to catch bigger redfish.
Rich, of the Reel Outdoors, reports that trout are being found in the backwaters, and drum are swimming in the inlet.
Surf fishing is producing sea mullet, redfish, and puffers up toward Fort Macon and near Emerald Isle.
Dale, of Dudley’s Marina, reports that red drum (both under-slot and mid-slot) are schooled up in the marsh, and they can be caught by either throwing 4” Gulp baits in white or chartreuse, or using a light Carolina rig with mullet or blue crab. The creeks are holding speckled trout, where MR17s, Zoom Golden Brems, and dark-colored Z-Man soft plastics are getting the most attention.
There hasn’t been a lot going on nearshore, but the black sea bass that are on the bottom in the 10-15 mile range should be moving closer soon, along with plenty of false albacore and bonito.
Offshore, the wahoo are biting, but not in any significant numbers.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that it has been a good winter for the trout and redfish in the backwater creeks and mudflats. Clear water and schooling fish makes for some of the best sight fishing for red drum that you can find all year, and that will continue into the spring. Gulp baits, or other soft plastics, rigged on weedless worm hooks are the bait of choice, though live mud minnows on a Carolina rig or under a cork will produce as well.
Trout have been more concentrated in creeks with moving water. Light jig heads with soft plastics, or slow-sinking baits like DOA Shrimp or MirrOlures are working well. Black drum have been in the mix as well and can be found by dropping fresh cut shrimp on the bottom in creek mouths or around docks/structure.
Nearshore action will begin to turn on as gray trout, bluefish, false albacore, and flounder begin to move in from deeper water. Expect the fish to be close to reefs and other nearshore structure. Target the trout, blues, and false albacore with metal jigs, but switch to bucktails for the flounder.
Joey Thompson, of Ashboro, NC, with a couple of upper-slot red drum caught on 4″ glow/chartreuse Gulp shrimp and Blue Water Candy jig heads. He caught them while fishing the Swansboro area with Capt. Dale Collins, of Fish Or Die Charters.
Johnathan, of On Point Charters, reports that the redfishing in the winter and spring is very similar. The reds are schooled up on the flats behind the barrier islands, and there can be anywhere from 20-500 fish in a school. They typically eat soft plastics on jig heads, but have been very finicky the last few weeks, as there’s been lots of pressure on them. Some days, it’s tough to get a bite at all.
Trout have been in the creeks off the main rivers for the winter, but they are starting to make their way out with the warmer weather. They’ve been chewing on soft plastics on very light jig heads.
Over the next few weeks, the area should be starting to see some false albacore and bluefish make their way to the beaches, and bonito won’t be far behind.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that red drum have been in the surf right under the crashing waves, where they’ll chew on artificials and cut baits. Nearshore fishing has recently been producing sea mullet from Beaufort Inlet up to the Turning Basin. In the coming weeks, expect bluefish and spanish to start running, along with Atlantic bonito. Find the birds and the bait on the surface, and you’ll likely find a school of bonito underneath. Use Clarkspoons or casting jigs (such as Stingsilvers) to connect.
Cobia will start showing up very soon. Once the menhaden starts moving around, the cobia will be right behind them. The first place they usually appear is just a little bit north around Cape Lookout.
Keeper black sea bass are on the bottom in 60-80’ depths, and sometimes even closer.
King mackerel have been offshore in the 68 degree water close to the break and just inside of it, where they’ll be swimming in the green water. Amberjacks have been on the reefs, and some of them have weighed upwards of 100 lbs.
The winter has been phenomenal for wahoo, with plenty of 70-80 lb. fish being caught as far as the Big Rock. That bite will persist into the spring, and you can pick up a blackfin tuna or two as well. High speed trolling has been doing the most damage, and aside from being a really fun way to target the ‘hoos, has the added benefit of allowing you to fish while you’re running. Just drop your lines at 100’ of water and get ready to hear the reel scream.
The Gulf Stream will start producing mahi and blue marlin in the coming weeks.
On the deep sea bottom, triggerfish have been biting throughout the winter, as have a variety of snapper, grouper (still catch-and-release), and black sea bass.
Josh, of Liquid Fire Sportfishing, reports that nearshore fishing has been slow, with a few false albacore and Atlantic bonito swimming off the beach. If you can find the fish, trolling with Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows or casting with Diamond jigs will put you on either species. Spanish mackerel and bluefish should start entering the mix with the next period of warm weather.
Bottom fishing has been productive in the 35+ mile range, with triggerfish and snapper making up the majority of the catch. Sardines are the go-to bait right now.
Wahoo and blackfin tuna have been showing up around the Swansboro Hole. The wahoo have mostly been in the 20-40 lb. range and have been caught on ballyhoo both on the surface and on planers with a Blue Water Candy Jag-A-Hoo. The bite will continue to improve as April grows closer.
Teresa, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that in the first few days that the pier has been open, anglers have found bluefish and stingrays.
