Swansboro July 26, 2012
Lauren Rinker, of Jacksonville, FL, with a 6.5 lb. citation spanish mackerel that bit a dead cigar minnow near the Dead Tree Hole while she was trolling off Beaufort Inlet with Capt. Bobby Borquin of Teezher Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the hot weather still has the red drum bite a bit tough locally. There are plenty of fish around, but drawing bites from the lethargic reds has presented a bit of a challenge recently. Live baits like finger mullet are the best bet, but anglers are also hooking a few on Gulps and other artificials. The bite has been a bit better in the White Oak River than out in the sound of late. Oyster rocks and grass edges are the spots to target for anglers looking to hook up with the reds.
Ladyfish have shown up in force in the area. Anglers should look for them feeding around lighted docks and bridges at night, and then cast live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs and other lures to hook up.
There have also been plenty of ribbonfish feeding around the bridges, where small, flashy lures or live baits will tempt them to bite.
Flounder fishing inside continues to be strong, with the best action around boat docks near deeper water. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs or Gulp baits will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Flounder are still feeding around nearshore structure like the live bottoms and reefs off Bogue Inlet as well, but the dirty water created by strong southwest winds over the past week has that bite a little slower than it was a few weeks ago. Bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits are the best bet for the nearshore flatfish.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding around the same areas where anglers are finding the flounder, and the high winds surprisingly haven’t affected that action much when anglers can get out to the fish. Small live menhaden on light king mackerel-style rigs are the tickets to hookups with the big spaniards (some 5-7 lbs.).
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that red drum are still feeding in the Swansboro-area marshes. Live baits under popping corks or on light Carolina rigs are some of the best bets for the reds, but anglers may also tempt them to eat Gulps or topwater plugs.
Speckled trout are feeding in some of the deeper creeks and channels in the marshes behind the barrier islands (with many quality 2-4 lb. fish). Live shrimp fished under float rigs are the best bets for the specks, and the high and falling tide has been the most productive lately. Some black drum are mixed in and also take a hearty interest in the shrimp.
Flounder are feeding around docks and other structure in the ICW, and anglers have been catching solid numbers lately, primarily on live finger mullet. Gulp baits will also tempt bites from the flatfish.
The nearshore spanish mackerel action has been excellent at the live bottoms and other structure within 5-10 miles of Bogue Inlet recently. Smaller live baits on scaled-down king mackerel gear are the way to go for these large spanish (many 5+ lbs.).
Some king mackerel have been mixed in with the spaniards, with more feeding a bit off at spots like the Southeast Bottoms. Dolphin and amberjacks are mixed in, and all are taking a hearty interest in live menhaden.
Flounder are feeding on much of the same structure, but the bite’s been hit-or-miss recently, so anglers should be prepared to work a little harder than they have been to put the flatfish in the boat.
Lee Buck with 20 and 16 lb. gag grouper that he and Ron Logan hooked on cigar minnows around some bottom structure in 90' of water off Bogue Inlet.
Josh, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that the dolphin and wahoo bite remains solid when boats have been able to make it out to Gulf Stream hotspots like the Swansboro Hole and the Rise recently. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures are fooling both fish.
Bottom fishing has been excellent, with boats reporting big catches of grouper at structure out near the break. Some gags and plenty of black sea bass, pinkies, and other bottom dwellers are feeding at spots a bit closer to the beaches. Live baits are top choices for the grouper, and squid, cut baits, and more will fool the smaller bottomfish.
A few king mackerel have been caught recently around the Keypost and other nearshore spots by anglers live-baiting, and several sailfish have been hooked in the same areas.
The big (5+ lbs.) spanish mackerel bite is still going strong in the same areas.
Inshore, anglers are connecting with plenty of flounder while working Gulp baits around the bridges and docks in the area.
The red drum bite remains strong in the marshes, and live baits, Gulps, and topwater plugs will all tempt bites from the reds.
Joanne, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that live-baiters caught and released several tarpon from the end of the pier last week.
Plug casters are hooking some bluefish and a few spanish mackerel while working Gotchas from the end of the pier.
Sheepshead have been feeding under the pier (with several 6+ lb. fish caught last week on sea urchins).
Flounder fishermen are connecting with some flatfish on small live baits fished under the pier.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with gray trout, pompano, and other bottom dwellers on shrimp.
