Swansboro – June 19, 2014
Dennis Turpin, of Bedford, VA, with an 8 lb. bluefish that bit a Carolina-rigged mullet around an oyster bar in the White Oak River while he was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the big spanish mackerel (some citation 6+ lb. fish) have made their summer appearance near Bogue Inlet. They’re feeding around nearshore structure like rocks and AR’s, where anglers can tempt the fish to bite live peanut menhaden on light wire leaders. Some smaller kings have been mixed in with the spaniards, so anglers should make sure to positively ID any mackerel under 24” before putting it on ice.
A few cobia are feeding in the same areas and will pounce on live baits as well.
Flounder are slowly showing up at nearshore structure as well (though many are still on the small side). Anglers looking for the flatfish should bounce bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits around the structure to hook up.
Some keeper black sea bass are in the same areas, with more legal fish feeding around structure further offshore. They’ll also bite the bucktails or small vertical jigs and baited bottom rigs.
Inshore, the red drum bite remains solid, and higher tides have led to some excellent fishing in the Bogue Sound marshes lately. Anglers are also finding fish around oyster rocks in Queens Creek and the White Oak River. Topwater plugs and Gulp baits have both proven effective on the reds lately.
There’s been a decent summer speckled trout bite around the oyster rocks as well, particularly on falling tides. Soft plastic jerkbaits or live shrimp will attract plenty of attention from the specks.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that there was good billfish action offshore last week, with white and blue marlin hookups for boats trolling both ballyhoo and large skirted plugs. The best action has been a bit offshore of the typical blue water hotspots in 300’ and deeper.
Dolphin are feeding along the break as well and pouncing on the same baits and lures (with some fish 30-40+ lbs.).
Closer to the beaches, the spanish mackerel action has heated up within a few miles of shore. Anglers are hooking good numbers of the spaniards while casting metal jigs to fish feeding on the surface and some larger fish on live baits like menhaden.
Lauren Robbins, of Raleigh, with a flounder that struck a white soft plastic bait in a Topsail Beach creek while she was fishing with Seavy Dickson on the “Dramamine Dragon.”
Cobia are still cruising in the same spots, and anglers can tempt them to bite live baits or bucktail jigs and large soft plastics.
Robbie, of Hall’em In Charters, reports that anglers are still finding some cobia within a few miles of the beach near Bogue Inlet. When anglers spot one cruising, casting bucktail jigs or live baits is the way to hook up.
Large spanish mackerel have shown up around nearshore structure in the area, and anglers are hooking the big spaniards on live baits pinned to scaled-down king mackerel rigs.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are still seeing plenty of action with flounder and red drum inshore. There’s also been some trout action in the local rivers and creeks.
Flounder are feeding around nearshore structure in the ocean as well, where anglers can tempt them to bite 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
Structure further offshore is holding grouper, beeliners, and other tasty bottom dwellers. Squid, cigar minnows, and live baits will attract attention from all the bottom feeders.
Dolphin have moved in as close as the Hutton, with action from there offshore to the break recently. Dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo or live baits will attract plenty of attention from the ‘phins. There’s also been some solid billfish action at the local blue water spots in the past week, with boats tallying good numbers of blue and white marlin releases.
On the beach, surf anglers are hooking some sea mullet, pompano, spot, and croaker while bottom fishing with shrimp and sand fleas.
Some bluefish and spanish mackerel are taking an interest in metal lures that anglers are working from the beach.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some chopper bluefish on live baits fished off the end of the pier. Cobia and tarpon have also been landed on the pin rigs in the last week.
Spanish mackerel and smaller bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs when the water’s clean.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, pompano, puppy drum, spot, and more, primarily while baiting up with shrimp.
Some sheepshead are feeding around the pilings and biting sand fleas and other crustacean baits.
