Swansboro July 25, 2013
Jonny Cartwright, of Cape Carteret, with his first red drum, an 18″ fish that bit a live finger mullet along a Bogue Sound grass bank while he was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum action remains solid in the marshes behind the local barrier islands (with big numbers of fish from 17-21” and scattered 30”+ fish around). Big numbers of finger mullet are in the area, and live finger mullet have been the ticket to hookups with the reds. Topwater plugs and Gulp baits have also been effective on the reds recently.
Flounder are feeding in the same areas and also taking an interest in finger mullet and Gulp baits. The flatfish are also looking for meals around the inlets and docks and other structure along the ICW, rivers, and creeks.
Sheepshead fishing has been solid around bridge and dock pilings in the area. Anglers are tempting the sheeps to bite live fiddler crabs fished tight to the pilings.
Out in the ocean, the large spanish mackerel bite has turned on around nearshore structure. Live-baiting with small mullet or peanut menhaden on scaled-down king mackerel rigs is fooling solid numbers of the spaniards (many 5+ lbs.) and a few king mackerel.
Flounder are feeding on the bottom in the same areas, where 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits are tempting them to bite.
Some cobia are still cruising around structure in the 10 mile range, and they will strike live baits or bucktail jigs paired with soft plastics.
Robbie, of Hall ‘Em In Charters, reports that anglers are hooking large spanish mackerel and a few kings on ocean trips. The fish are feeding around live bottoms and other structure within a few miles of the beaches, and they’re taking an interest in live menhaden and mullet. Lighter wire and smaller trebles than anglers use on traditional king rigs are better for the sharp-eyed spaniards.
Inshore, the flounder action has been excellent lately (with some fish to 6-7 lbs.). The fish are feeding around docks and other structure in the ICW and around creekmouths and oyster rocks in the marshes. Live baits and Gulp jerkshads are tempting bites from the flatfish.
Buddie Adkins, of Hubert, NC, with a 24.5″ red drum that bit a D.O.A. Shrimp under a float in Freemans Creek.
Anglers are also connecting with good numbers of red drum in the marshes of Bogue Sound. Anglers can fool the reds on live finger mullet, Gulp baits, topwater plugs, and other artificials.
Chesson, of CXC Charters, reports that spanish mackerel have been the main action going lately. They’re feeding around structure within a few miles of the beaches, with the Keypost offering especially good action lately. Live menhaden and mullet on downsized king rigs are fooling most of the spaniards (with some to 6+ lbs.). A few king mackerel are mixed in with the spanish, and more are feeding a bit further offshore.
Plenty of amberjacks are also looking for meals around structure in the 10-15 mile range, and they’ve got a tough time turning down a live menhaden. Anglers can also hook the jacks on topwater plugs and other lures when they’re feeding aggressively.
Josh, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that there’s been some excellent red drum action in the marshes between the ICW and Bear and Browns islands lately.
Good numbers of keeper flounder are feeding in the same areas, and both are taking an interest in Gulp shrimp and jerkshads.
Sheepshead fishing has been solid around the Swansboro bridges and other structure off the ICW lately (with good numbers of 8+ lb. citation fish). Live fiddler crabs are fooling most of the sheeps.
Live-baiters are catching some big spanish (5-8 lbs.) and king mackerel at the nearshore AR’s.
Dolphin are still feeding offshore, and anglers also reported some sailfish action 20-25 miles out last week.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are hooking spanish mackerel while working metal casting lures from the pier. Some larger spanish (4-6+ lbs.) are taking an interest in live baits on king rigs.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with sea mullet in the daytime and spot at night, with shrimp and bloodworms producing most of the action.
Some gray and speckled trout are taking an interest in bottom rigs, live baits, and lures that anglers are working from the pier.
