Swansboro July 19 ,2012
Cameron Holshauser, of Salem, VA, with a 7.6 lb. spanish mackerel that bit a live menhaden 3 miles off Bogue Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that upper and over-slot red drum are still feeding in the marshy bays, feeder creeks, and around oyster rocks in Bogue Sound, Queen’s Creek, and the White Oak River. The water temperatures are approaching 90 in some of the bays, so the fish are a bit lethargic. They’ve been responding well to topwater plugs and Gulp baits in the early mornings and late afternoons, but live baits like finger mullet on popping cork and Carolina rigs are producing much better results during the heat of the day.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings in the area. Fishing higher tides with fiddler crabs has been producing more action with the sheepshead, with shrimp on low tidal stages best for the drum.
Flounder fishing inshore continues to improve, and anglers are hooking the flatfish while drifting the inlet and connecting channels, in the bays where they’re drum fishing, and around docks (which seem to be holding the larger fish). Live finger mullet or white Gulp shrimp are tempting bites from the flatfish.
The flounder action also remains strong on the nearshore reefs, where Gulp baits pinned to 2 oz. bucktails are producing the lion’s share of the bites.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding around nearshore structure, especially in the early morning hours. Small live menhaden on scaled-down king rigs are fooling the big spaniards.
Scattered king mackerel, cobia, and dolphin are also feeding at spots within 10 miles of the inlet, and larger live baits will get attention from all three.
Carl Churchill and Mitchell Burgess, from Raleigh, with 5 and 7 lb. black drum they caught on fiddler crabs under the Swansboro bridge.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that the dolphin bite is still strong at the 14 Buoy, Swansboro Hole, and other local blue water spots. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are fooling most of the dolphin.
Bottom fishing along the break is producing plenty of action with red and gag groupers, beeliners, triggerfish, and more. Squid, cigar minnows, and live baits are the way to go for the bottom dwellers.
Some dolphin have moved inshore to spots like the SE Bottoms, where anglers are also finding amberjacks, king mackerel, and a few cobia. Live menhaden or cigar minnows jigged up from the local buoy chains will fool all these pelagic predators.
Closer to the beaches, large spanish mackerel are feeding around live bottom spots like the Keypost. Live menhaden on scaled-down king rigs will attract attention from the big spaniards.
Flounder are looking for meals on the bottom in the same areas, and they will pounce on 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits.
Some flounder are also feeding in the surf, where Gulp baits or live mud minnows and finger mullet will get their attention. The flatfish bite is also solid inshore around docks and in deeper holes and channels.
John Keel (age 11), of Cedar Point, NC, and Tyler Pelkey (age 13), of Wilmington, with a 6 lb. sheepshead that bit a live sea urchin at a channel marker in the ICW near Bogue Inlet.
Red drum are cruising the marshes. Topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and Gulps will tempt bites from the reds.
Sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings in the area, and fiddler crabs dangled tight to the structure are the way to hook up with them.
Herb, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet and spot on double-hook rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs in the early morning and late evening hours.
