Swansboro – July 31, 2014
Adam Insley with a 19 lb. red snapper that bit cut squid at some bottom structure 20 miles off Bogue Inlet while he was fishing with Keith Edwards.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are hooking plenty of red drum in the marshes from the White Oak River to Bogue Inlet. There are good numbers around but they’re scattered, so anglers should stay on the move for the best odds of finding active fish. Topwater plugs and live finger mullet have been producing the majority of the reds recently.
Some keeper flounder are in the marshes as well and biting finger mullet and soft plastics. Anglers are also finally seeing some good flounder action at nearshore structure off Bogue Inlet. Most of the flatfish in the ocean are biting 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
Large spanish mackerel are feeding around nearshore structure, too, where anglers are tempting them to bite live finger mullet and menhaden on scaled-down king mackerel rigs.
Smaller spaniards are looking for meals along the beachfront and biting trolled Clarkspoons.
Vanessa Smith, of Richlands, NC, with a 25.75″ red drum that bit a live finger mullet on a Carolina rig while she was fishing a Swansboro-area marsh.
King mackerel have shown up and are feeding from 2-10 miles offshore. They’re biting live baits.
Amberjacks are schooled up at high-relief structure 15-25 miles off the beaches and biting live baits and a variety of artificials.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some gaffer dolphin and cobia while live-baiting at spots in 55-80’ of water recently.
Some king mackerel have been feeding alongside them and inshore to the beachfronts.
Both live menhaden and cigar minnows or other “jig baits” are fooling the dolphin, cobia, and kings.
Flounder fishing is turning on at the AR’s and live bottoms within a few miles of the beach, and the flatfish are falling for Gulp baits pinned to bucktail jigs.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are hooking some king mackerel around 45 Minute Rock and other spots in the 10-20 mile range. Most are falling for live baits, which are also attracting attention from some amberjacks, dolphin, and cobia.
Large spanish mackerel are feeding near the Keypost and other nearshore structure, where small menhaden on light wire rigs are producing results.
Daniel Griffee and Ben Ricks with a pair of red drum that bit a Bomber Badonka Donk topwater plug and a Redfish Magic spinnerbait in the Haystacks marsh.
Plenty of smaller spanish mackerel are biting Clarkspoons trolled around the inlet and beachfront.
Surf casters are seeing some action with sea mullet, pompano, and puppy drum on shrimp and sand fleas.
Inshore, there’s still plenty of red drum action in the marshes. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live baits are fooling the reds.
Flounder are feeding around docks and other structure along the ICW. Anglers can fool the flatfish on Gulp baits or Carolina-rigged finger mullet.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are hooking good numbers of spot in the evening hours while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms. Some sea mullet, pompano, and flounder were mixed in last week.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs that anglers are working from the pier.
A 23 lb. king mackerel was landed after it struck a live bait last weekend.
