Swansboro – June 11, 2015
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers have seen some hot king mackerel action at nearshore structure off Bogue Inlet over the past week, with fast limit catches (and solid fish, some 20+ lbs.). Most of the kings are falling for live menhaden slow-trolled or free-lined around spots in 40-60’ of water.
The red drum action in the marshes of Bogue Sound continues to be solid. Anglers are finding the fish feeding in the bays behind the barrier islands and fooling them with a variety of techniques—topwater plugs, subsurface soft plastics and spoons, and live and cut baits are all effective.
Flounder are feeding in many of the same areas and also around inshore docks and bridges and inlets. Live baits or Gulps will attract plenty of attention from the flatfish.
Madison and Jeramie Pawloski with Madison’s first redfish, hooked on a jig in a marsh near Swansboro.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still seeing some action with dolphin and king mackerel within 15 miles of Bogue Inlet. Both live and dead baits will attract bites from the dolphin and kings.
Flounder and black sea bass are feeding around bottom structure in the same range, and both will pounce on bucktails tipped with Gulp or strip baits.
Anglers bottom fishing in deeper water are encountering larger sea bass, triggerfish, beeliners, groupers, and more. The bottom feeders are falling for squid and cut, live, and dead baits.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are connecting with dolphin and king mackerel within 10-15 miles of the beachfront. Both live and dead baits will fool the fish.
Bottom structure out to 60’ of water is holding flounder and some legal black sea bass. Bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits will attract attention from both.
Good numbers of spanish mackerel are feeding around the inlet and just off the beachfront. Anglers are hooking them while working casting lures like Gotcha plugs from the pier and trolling spoons and other flashy lures from boats.
Gulf Stream trollers are hooking plenty of dolphin along with a few wahoo. The billfish bite has been good recently, with boats that are pulling specialized spreads releasing decent numbers of blue marlin along with a few white marlin and sailfish.
Surf fishermen continue to hook some sea mullet, croaker, and other bottom feeders on shrimp and bloodworms.
Inshore, red drum are feeding in the bays and marshes of Bogue Sound. Anglers are connecting with schools and pods of the fish while working topwater plugs and Gulp baits. Soaking cut and live baits in the same areas can produce when the fish don’t want the artificials.
Some flounder are feeding alongside the reds, and more are looking for meals around the inlet and inshore structure. Live baits and Gulps are both effective on the flatfish.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been connecting with sea mullet, spot, and pompano while fishing shrimp and other baits.
Spanish mackerel and good numbers of bluefish are biting Gotcha plugs, diamond jigs, and other casting lures that anglers are working from the pier.
Live-baiters released a tarpon last week and landed some large (8-10 lb.) bluefish.
The water is 78 degrees.
