Swansboro – July 3, 2014
Capt. Chesson O’Briant, of CXC Fishing Charters, and Jason Jukes with a 35 lb. cow dolphin that bit a ballyhoo behind a blue/white sea witch while they were trolling in 75′ of water off Bogue Inlet.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are starting to see some king mackerel action within 15 miles of Bogue Inlet. Live menhaden are fooling the majority of the kingfish.
Good numbers of cobia are still feeding on the AR’s and other structure in the 3-10 mile range (most 20-30 lb. males). The cobes also have a tough time turning down a live menhaden.
The flounder bite at the same nearshore structure is still a bit slow for June, but anglers may be able to pick up some flatfish while bouncing 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits around the structure.
Inshore, however, the flounder bite is improving by the week, and anglers saw good numbers (and some nice fish) around creekmouths closer to the inlets and ICW docks last week. Live baits and Gulps will fool the flatfish inshore.
Red drum are still feeding in the marshy bays behind the barrier islands. Anglers are hooking the reds on topwater plugs and soft plastics, but live baits like shrimp are even more effective. There have been good numbers of shrimp showing up in the creeks for anglers looking to cast net some bait.
Black drum and sheepshead are looking for meals around bridge and dock pilings along the ICW. Both crustacean-lovers have a tough time turning down live shrimp or fiddler crabs.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are seeing dolphin, king mackerel, and cobia feeding on the wrecks, reefs, and other structure in the 50-75’ range. Anglers are hooking all three while trolling live baits, and some of the dolphin and kings on rigged ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing around structure in 80-120’ of water is producing plenty of action with grouper, triggerfish, grunts, sea bass, beeliners, and more. Live baits are the best bet for the groupers, and the smaller bottom feeders are taking an interest in squid and cut baits. Vertical jigs and bucktails will also get attention from the bottom feeders.
Closer to the beaches, flounder and some keeper black sea bass are feeding around structure out to the 50’ depths. Gulp baits pinned to 2 oz. bucktail jigs are the way to go for the flounder and bass, although anglers can also hook up on live baits.
Capt. Rob Koraly, of Sandbar Safari Charters, and Madi Wehner, of Canton, OH, with a 6′ cornetfish that bit a live pinfish near WR2.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are hooking some dolphin and king mackerel at spots like the Southeast Bottoms and the Hutton. Live menhaden will attract attention from both, but anglers can also troll dead baits with success.
Some large spanish mackerel are still feeding around nearshore structure like the Keypost, where smaller menhaden pinned to scaled down king rigs are the way to go.
More spanish are feeding just off the beachfront. Anglers are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons from boats, working Gotcha plugs from the pier, and casting metal jigs from the sand. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in and falling for the same lures.
Surf casters are also hooking some sea mullet and puppy drum on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits.
Inshore, there’s still solid flounder action around docks and other structure in the ICW, where live and Gulp baits will tempt bites.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes and taking an interest in topwater plugs and a variety of subsurface artificials.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, pompano, spot, and more while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder and puppy drum are falling for cut and live baits on the bottom.
Plug casters are hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotchas.
One cobia was caught last week on a live bait off the end of the pier.
