Swansboro/Emerald Isle – May 2024
Morgan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf anglers saw a mixed bag of action, with catches of speckled trout, black drum, bluefish, sea mullet, gray trout, and pufferfish. Moving into May, anglers look forward to the arrival of spanish mackerel and pompano in the surf.
Inshore anglers are seeing good red drum action in the White Oak River. These redfish schools have been staged around structure such as oyster beds.
Speckled trout action has been modest, with fish mostly moving around in the creeks.
Nearshore anglers have been out targeting the bonito that moved into the area. Spanish mackerel being caught to the south likely means the area should see them here anytime.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the spring bite is turning on back in the brackish creeks for speckled trout and puppy drum. Both species can be enticed with small paddle tail soft plastics or live mud minnows rigged under a cork.
Gray trout have been thick in the ICW and deeper inlet channels. They’ve been quick to strike at spec rigs tipped with shrimp or Fishbites strips.
Red drum are schooled up back on the flats and holding really shallow as they search for crabs. When casting to these fish, a slow presentation with a fluke or paddle tail soft plastic can entice a strike. If the reds are finicky, some cut mullet on the bottom may help them change their mind.
A bunch of bluefish are now moving through the inshore waters. They will hit just about anything from smaller topwater plugs to larger soft plastics on a jig head.
Off the beach, anglers are finding the bonito bite turning on. Target these fish over nearshore structures where they are crashing bait early in the morning. Casting a Stingsilver or a live peanut-sized pogie can get them to strike.
Finn Smey, of Swansboro, found this 7.65 lb., 26.5″ red drum in his local waters using a Gulp soft plastic. He was fishing with Capt. Jeff Cronk and Capt. Darryl Marsh of FISH’N4LIFE Charters.
Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that the nearshore area has started to come alive, with spanish mackerel, Atlantic bonito, and false albacore all showing up. Anglers are having success casting to the surface-feeding schools.
Just inside, a bunch of gray trout are in deeper areas (12-25’) along the Swansboro waterfront, in the ICW, and around the inlets. A 1 oz. Stingsilver jig has produced best.
Sea mullet are also in these same deeper inshore holes.
Speckled trout are staged up in the creeks off the White Oak. If the area sees more rain, it could push them out into the main river where they will hang out around oysters and rocks. Anglers targeting trout have done best fishing areas with 5-8’ of water with a chartreuse-colored soft plastic.
Red drum are scattered around, but better numbers are coming as these fish continue to move back inside from the ocean.
Jacob, of Southern Tides Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been catching nice-sized sea mullet (1-1.5 lbs.) and gray trout in deeper holes from the inlets back into the waterway.
A lot of good-sized bluefish in the 3-5 lb. range are pushing inshore as water temperatures work their way up.
Red drum are staged up back in the shallow bays behind the inlets and hitting Z-Man soft plastics. These schools have been really finicky and spooky, though, so finding the right color and fishing light weight (1/8 oz.) jig heads really matters in enticing bites.
Speckled trout action has been spotty so far this spring. Anglers have been having better successes in the areas towards Morehead City.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are already picking up spanish mackerel while out hunting the bonito that are in the area. Anglers are catching both species while trolling small, lipped lures until you can find them feeding on the surface where casting jigs have enticed strikes.
King mackerel should start mixing in early May.
May is also a good time to stay ready for a cobia to swim up to the boat or hang around bait balls. It’s wise to never leave the inlet without a stout spinning rod rigged with a cobia jig.
Gulf Stream runs have been producing some nice wahoo catches, along with blackfins. In May there is also the possibility of yellowfins arriving. Anglers will see the best opportunities while pulling naked or small skirted ballyhoo behind 80 lb. fluorocarbon leaders.
The mahi start to show up in big numbers in May, with these early waves often holding the biggest fish of the year.
Natalie Taylor, of Morehead City, caught this gray trout near Beaufort Inlet using a 1/2 oz. Thingamajig. She was fishing with Capt. Matt Paylor of Sound-N-Sea Charters.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports that blackfin tuna are staged up over live bottom in the 120’+ area.
Out deeper (300’+) are some larger wahoo.
A few way-early mahi have been caught around the Swansboro Hole, which should be a great sign for the season ahead.
Nearshore anglers have been targeting bonito. The quality of fish has been good, with a few 8-10 lb. fish in the mix. Getting out on the water early has been key, with both casting (with Stingsilvers) and trolling (Yo-Zuri 3-4” deep divers) having success.
The nearshore ARs are also holding some big sheepshead (4-5+ lbs.) as they stage up before pushing inshore. Some fresh shrimp on a Carolina rig with a sharp kahle hook will help get one of these fish in the boat.
Tony, of Fin FinderZ, reports that bonito are schooled up over nearshore structures as they continue their northern migration.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are now showing up along the beaches.
Some amberjacks are starting to show up on the deeper structure for anglers looking to test out their gear.
Gulf stream runs are producing large wahoo.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishing has really kicked off, with catches of sea mullet (to 1.8 lbs.), bluefish, gray trout, croakers, and nice pompano (to 2+ lbs.).
Spanish mackerel are just starting to push in.
