Swansboro – July 21, 2016
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that area anglers are finding large spanish mackerel just off the beaches. Live bait on light wire rigs with #6 treble hooks are fooling the majority of these citation-class fish, but anglers may also catch them trolling cigar minnows on Hank Brown rigs. Nearshore reefs like AR-342 and the Keypost Rocks are popular hotspots, but the spanish will be on any live bottom or offshore structure.
Anglers are connecting with flounder at the same nearshore reefs. However, the bite has been sporadic, with anglers finding plenty of flatfish one day but struggling the next. Live mullet fished slowly on a Carolina rig is one of the easiest ways to connect with an offshore flounder, but anglers are also reporting success using 2-3 oz. Spro bucktails tipped with a 3” white Gulp shrimp.
The inshore flounder bite has picked up over the past two weeks with the recent influx of mullet and peanut pogies. Anglers are catching most of the fish near ICW docks, but any deep channel in Bogue Sound could be holding a hungry doormat. Slot-sized red drum are also being caught in the same areas by anglers fishing baits under the docks. A live finger mullet on a Carolina rig is irresistible to both of these predatory species.
Randy Gowin with a 26 red drum he caught while fishing behind Emerald Isle with Capt. Johnathan Garrett of OnPoint Fishing Charters. The fish bit a piece of cut menhaden on a Carolina rig.
Jonathan, of OnPoint Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are being caught throughout the marshes of Bogue Sound, with a consistent bite concentrated behind Emerald Isle from the bridge to Bogue Inlet. Gulp shrimp and jerk shad in various colors fished on jigheads and weighted weedless hooks are tempting bites from the reds throughout the day. Anglers are also having success fishing topwater baits early and late in the day when the sun is not in full force.
The sheepshead bite remains consistent, with plenty of smaller fish to keep anglers busy while searching for the citation-class fish that are hanging around. Fishing live fiddler crabs next to heavy structure that extends out of the water (like bridge pilings, day markers, and docks) is the best way to connect with these crustacean lovers. Mixed in with the sheepshead are some small black drum and the occasional red drum.
Small kings and large spanish are feeding within 10 miles of the beach. Artificial reefs, ledges, rocks, and wrecks are all places to look for these toothy species. Anglers are connecting with them using a variety of methods, but slow trolling live menhaden seems to be the most productive way to put fish in the boat. Trolling Drone spoons or other flashy metal spoons has also been successful and is a good way to cover more ground in hopes of finding a large school of feeding fish.
Lisa Hostetter, of Wisconsin, with a 26.5 red drum that she caught on a chunk of blue crab. She was fishing with Capt. Dale Collins of Fish or Die Charters in Swansboro.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are catching a mixed bag of fish from the beach, with consistent action from small blues, blow toads, sea mullet, and the occasional flounder. A few reds have also been caught recently, but the bite has been sporadic and not something to count on. Fishing fresh shrimp on double drop bottom rigs is the best way to target all surf zone species.
Just off area beaches, anglers are finding plenty of action with small spanish mackerel while trolling #0-#1 Clarkspoons behind a #1 planer or 2-3 oz. trolling weight. Most days, the color of the spoon does not matter. Occasionally the fish are keying in on a specific type of bait and you may have more luck using pink/green flash than gold or silver or vice versa, so anglers should have a variety of spoons in their arsenal. Trolling in 15-30’ feet of water near tidelines and underwater structure have been the best places to find the feeding spanish.
Further offshore in the 10-15 mile range, anglers are connecting with a variety of species while trolling live baits. Small kings and plenty of amberjack are schooled up on high relief structure and will take an interest in live menhaden slow-trolled just over the top of the structure. Mahi have also been caught in some of the same areas, but with so much warm water and very few temp breaks, the fish are very scattered and hard to find in good numbers.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that offshore anglers are still finding blackfin tuna and wahoo while trolling past the break. Naked and skirted ballyhoo will fool both species, as will a variety of artificial trolling lures. The occasional mahi is mixed in, but anglers are finding more consistent action with them closer inshore in the 8-15 mile range.
The offshore billfish bite has been excellent, with sailfish dominating the action recently. Blue and white marlin are also being caught out in the Gulf Stream. Trolling a variety of large artificial lures near temp breaks, rips, and deep ledges is the key to connecting with these pelagic species.
Offshore bottom fishing has been very consistent recently, with anglers hooking up with grouper, beeliners, triggerfish, and black sea bass in areas past 70’ of water (like Jerry’s Reef and other live bottom).
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is dominating the action off the end of the pier, with many of the fish being in the 5-6 lb. range. Live bait is the best way to catch these large spanish, but Gotcha plugs are also fooling plenty of fish in the 1-3 lb. range.
Bottom anglers are reporting blow toads, sea mullet, croaker, spot, and even the occasional speckled trout while fishing fresh shrimp on double drop bottom rigs.
The water is 81 degrees.
