Swansboro July 4, 2013
Mark, Mary, and Daniel Green with a slot red drum Daniel landed after it struck a live finger mullet in a marsh near Bogue Inlet while they were fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that despite the wind and rain, anglers have been able to get on some solid inshore action over the past week. There’s been a decent speckled trout bite in the mainland rivers and creeks lately, with most of the action coming around oyster bars. Soft plastic jerkbaits and live finger mullet and shrimp have been fooling most of the reds.
Some flounder and good numbers of red drum are also feeding around the oysters and falling for the same baits.
There are also decent numbers of reds feeding in the marshes behind the barrier islands, but the wind has made them tough to locate and get to on many recent days.
In the coming week, anglers will likely do well to target the inlets and nearby creeks and marshes, as the influx of fresh water to the area will push fish towards the ocean. The fresh water also has plenty of bait on the move, so the fish should be feeding heavily.
Once the water calms enough for boats to get out in the ocean, the nearshore action should be excellent. Strong southwest blows generally create excellent conditions once the weather clears out, and anglers can expect to see some large spanish mackerel and king mackerel feeding around live bottoms and reefs within a few miles of the inlets. Live baits will tempt bites from both.
The nearshore flounder action should also be going strong for anglers bouncing Gulp-tipped bucktails off the bottom in the same areas.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that anglers have been catching some solid speckled trout in the White Oak River and the mainland creeks recently, with the best action in pockets of deeper water adjacent to oyster rocks. Live shrimp drifted beneath slip-floats are tempting most of the bites from the specks.
Plenty of red drum are feeding in the same areas and pouncing on the shrimp as well.
The drum bite has also been decent in the barrier island marshes, where anglers can tempt the fish to bite topwater plugs, Gulps, and live and cut baits. Finding a pocket of clean water offers anglers the best odds at connecting with the reds in the marshes, but that hasn’t been the easiest task in recent days.
Anglers are still connecting with a few flounder while working docks along the ICW, but the bite has been a bit off over the past week. It will likely improve as the weather stabilizes, and casting small live baits or Gulps along the docks is the way to tempt bites from the flatfish.
Will Rivenbark, of Wilmington, with a 29 lb. jack crevalle that bit a live bluefish off the end of Surf City Pier.
The fresh water influx has big numbers of finger mullet and shrimp on the move, so anglers looking for live baits shouldn’t have to work too hard to find them.
Good fishing typically follows prolonged southwest winds in the ocean, and anglers should see the first push of large spanish mackerel of the year when the water calms down and cleans up. Pinning live finger mullet or peanut menhaden to scaled-down king mackerel rigs is the best way to hook up with the big spaniards.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that anglers are still connecting with some king mackerel while trolling at spots in under 60’ of water. A few dolphin have pushed into the same areas, and both will strike dead cigar minnows, diving plugs, or live baits.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that the weather hasn’t been too kind to anglers over the past week, but the forecast looks better in the near future and there should be some good fishing opportunities in the upcoming days.
Surf casters can expect to see sea mullet, puppy drum, and other bottomfish feeding along the beachfront, and shrimp and cut baits will attract their attention.
Wherever anglers can find clean water in the ocean, they should also find some spanish mackerel. Trolling Clarkspoons will fool the smaller spaniards, while small live baits are top choices for the bigger fish.
Flounder are looking for meals on nearshore ledges and live bottoms, and the flatfish have a tough time turning down a 2 oz. bucktail jig tipped with a Gulp bait.
The dolphin bite was still going strong in the Gulf Stream at last report, so there should be some hungry ‘phins along with a few wahoo and billfish when boats make it back offshore.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, puppy drum, and large croaker while soaking shrimp and other baits off the piers.
Some large spanish mackerel (4+ lbs.) have been around and taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and small live baits.
The water is 79 degrees.
