Swansboro July 11, 2013
Danny Pender, of Goldsboro, NC, with a 5 lb. sheepshead that bit a live shrimp under the Swansboro bridge while he was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that good numbers of red drum are feeding in the marshes behind the barrier islands. There’s also still a good red bite going on around oyster rocks in Queens Creek and the White Oak River. Finger mullet have become abundant and have grown into a good bait size, so live finger mullet on jigheads (or float rigs or Carolina rigs) have been producing the lion’s share of the reds right now. Anglers are also hooking a few on topwater plugs as well.
Flounder are mixed in with the reds and biting live finger mullet as well. Anglers are also connecting with the flatfish around ICW docks, and drifting through the inlets is producing good numbers (though mostly smaller fish).
Out in the ocean, anglers are finally starting to see some king mackerel in the 8-20 mile range. The kings will pounce on live menhaden.
Amberjacks are schooled up at bottom structure in the same range and will also greedily attack live baits like menhaden.
A few scattered dolphin have begun to show up in the same range as well, and menhaden are on their menu, too.
Spanish mackerel are feeding along the beachfront, where boaters are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons. Some larger fish are mixed in, and the big breeder spanish mackerel should be showing up on the nearshore rocks and live bottoms right now. Small live menhaden or mullet on scaled-down king mackerel rigs are the best bet for anglers seeking the larger spaniards.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some solid red drum action in the marshes between the ICW and barrier islands right now. Topwater plugs, Gulp baits, and Carolina-rigged finger mullet have been tempting the reds to bite (and the mullet are making a good showing for anglers looking for bait).
Some healthy keeper flounder have been showing up inshore and feeding around docks and other structure along the ICW. Live finger mullet are tough for the flatfish to turn down.
Adriana Doi, of Durham, NC, with a 27″ red drum she caught and released after it struck a MirrOlure Top Dog, Jr. in Bogue Sound near Emerald Isle. She was fishing with her husband Richard Di Giulio.
Some black drum and speckled trout are feeding around oyster rocks in Queens Creek and the White Oak River. Live shrimp on slip-float rigs are tempting bites from both the drum and specks.
Sheepshead are feeding around hard structure inshore, and anglers are connecting with good numbers while fishing around the pilings of the Emerald Isle and Swansboro bridges. Live fiddler crabs are producing the majority of the action with the sheeps.
Offshore, there was a decent dolphin bite around 30 miles out last week (most bailers but some smaller gaffers mixed in). Trolling ballyhoo is fooling most of the dolphin, but anglers are also tossing squid chunks to fish that show up around the boat and hooking up. A few king mackerel are in the same area.
Bottom fishing around structure in the 100’ range is producing some solid gag grouper, with live pinfish the choice baits.
Josh, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are hooking big numbers of flounder inshore. Gulp shrimp and live baits are fooling most of the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding around the mouth of the White Oak River and behind Bear Island. Live baits, Gulps, and topwater plugs will all get attention from the reds.
Some king mackerel have been showing up around nearshore structure like Station Rock, and a few large spanish mackerel are beginning to feed in areas like the Keypost and AR-342. Live baits (smaller ones for the spaniards) like menhaden are tough to beat for both mackerel.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching a mixed bag of spot, sea mullet, black drum, pompano, and other bottom feeders while baiting double-drop rigs with shrimp and bloodworms.
Anglers also landed some speckled trout and a 12 lb. jack crevalle from the pier last week.
