Swansboro – July 24, 2014
Heather Legg, of Charleston, WV, and Capt. Chesson O’Briant, of CXC Fishing Charters, with a 41.9 lb. cobia that struck a live menhaden at some nearshore live bottom off Bogue Inlet.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the flounder action remains solid inshore, with most of the fish feeding around drop-offs, marsh creekmouths, and along ICW structure like docks. Live finger mullet and peanut menhaden or soft baits like Gulp jerkshads will get attention from the flatfish.
Anglers are also hooking plenty of red drum in the area’s marshes and bays. They’re biting topwater plugs well on many days, and Gulp baits or live shrimp and finger mullet when they’re not keen on the topwaters.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings along the ICW. Both striped fish will take a hearty interest in live fiddler crabs and shrimp fished tight to the structure where they live.
Anglers haven’t had much of an opportunity to fish the ocean recently, but they should still be able to find some action with large spanish mackerel and some kings at spots within 10 miles of shore. Live menhaden on light wire leaders will fool both mackerel.
Zach Driver with a 24″ red drum that struck a live finger mullet under the Swansboro bridge.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with solid numbers of red drum in the bays and marshes behind Bogue Sound’s barrier islands. The fish are feeding along grassy shorelines and oyster bars and biting topwater plugs well on many days. Gulp baits and other soft plastics and live and cut baits are attracting attention from the reds when they don’t want to bite on top.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still hooking a few cobia while slow-trolling for mackerel and live-baiting amberjacks around bottom structure 2-15 miles off the beaches. Live menhaden are fooling all three of the predators.
Some smaller dolphin and large spanish mackerel are feeding in the same areas and also biting menhaden.
Offshore bottom fishing is producing fast action with large triggerfish, black sea bass, beeliners, and more. Squid, cut baits, and smaller vertical jigs will fool the bottom feeders.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are still hooking some king mackerel, cobia, and dolphin while fishing the SE Bottoms and other structure between the beach and the break. A 50 lb. wahoo was also landed in the area last week. Live menhaden or ballyhoo and cigar minnows pinned to dead bait rigs will fool the pelagics.
LeRoy Keeton, of Greensboro, NC, with a 10.29 lb., 29″ flounder that bit a live finger mullet near Swansboro.
Some large spanish mackerel are feeding around the Keypost and other nearshore structure, and anglers can fool the big spaniards with smaller menhaden pinned to scaled-down king mackerel rigs.
Smaller spanish are feeding along the beachfront and biting trolled Clarkspoons and metal casting lures.
Surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet, pompano, puppy drum, and other bottom feeders. Shrimp are fooling all three.
Inshore anglers are finding plenty of action with red drum in the marshes and along ICW structure.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet, spot, and pompano while baiting up with shrimp and bloodworms. Some spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs and other casting lures that anglers are working from the pier.
Anglers are also picking up a few speckled trout and sheepshead.
