Swansboro July 12, 2012
Cecil Brady, of Hickory, NC, with a 10 lb. black drum that bit cut shrimp under the Swansboro Bridge while he was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that black drum (some 10+ lbs.) are feeding around the pilings of the Swansboro bridges and other hard structure inshore in the area. Fresh shrimp, as well as live shrimp and fiddler crabs, will all get attention from the drum.
Sheepshead are looking for meals at the same structure and will also take an interest in fiddler crabs.
Red drum are looking for meals in the bays and marshes off the ICW. They’re a bit lethargic right now, but anglers may be able to tempt them to bite topwater plugs in the early morning hours. Gulp baits and live and cut baits on Carolina rigs or suspended under popping corks will tempt the reds to bite when they don’t want to eat the topwaters.
It’s been a bit rough for ocean fishing lately, but anglers are still connecting with large spanish mackerel when they can get out. Smaller live baits on scaled-down king mackerel rigs are the best bets for the big spaniards. They’re feeding around the nearshore reefs and live bottoms, and the early morning hours are hosting the best bite.
Flounder are feeding on the bottom in the same areas. They’ll pounce on a 2 oz. bucktail jig tipped with a Gulp bait.
Black sea bass are also in the same areas and will strike the bucktail/Gulp combos as well.
Robbie, of Hall ‘Em In Charters, reports that the inshore flounder bite has been the best thing going lately. The fish are feeding around ICW docks and other inshore structure, and live baits like finger mullet and mud minnows have been the most productive offerings. Gulps will also tempt bites from the flatfish.
Red drum are looking for meals around the marshes behind the barrier islands. Topwater plugs will often tempt bites from the reds. They also make excellent search baits for anglers trying to find the fish, as they cover plenty of water. When anglers find the hungry reds or when they don’t want the topwaters, live baits or Gulps will get the job done.
Mike Farrell, of Atlantic Beach, with a 6.8 lb. citation spanish mackerel that bit a live bait off Cape Lookout while he was fishing with Wayne Farrell and Wat Fugate.
Sheepshead are feeding around the bridge and dock pilings inshore in the area. Anglers can hook up with the sheeps while dangling live fiddler crabs or other baits tight to the structure.
Large spanish mackerel are feeding at the live bottoms and reefs within 5-8 miles of Bogue Inlet. Fishing small live baits in the early morning hours is the best way to target the big spaniards.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that boats making the run to the Gulf Stream locally are connecting with some dolphin and billfish, primarily while trolling skirted ballyhoo.
Some dolphin are feeding inshore of the blue water, and anglers caught them, along with a few king mackerel, around spots in the 10-20 mile range like the SE Bottoms and the Hutton last week. Ballyhoo, live baits, and dead cigar minnows will attract bites from the kings and ‘phins.
Flounder are still feeding at the nearshore reefs, and they have a tough time turning down a 2 oz. bucktail tipped with a Gulp bait.
Large spanish mackerel are in the same areas and will pounce on small live baits fished on scaled-down king mackerel rigs.
Smaller spanish and plenty of bluefish are taking an interest in Clarkspoons trolled from boats and Gotcha plugs worked from the piers.
Surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet and smaller flounder.
Tyler Parkin, of Hubert, NC, with a 30.5" red drum he hooked on a Gulp shrimp in the marsh near Swansboro.
Patty, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that live baiters caught-and-released an estimated 85 lb. tarpon last week and had many more bites from the “silver kings.”
Some spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs, diamond jigs, and small bucktails worked from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet, gray trout, and spot. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action.
