Swansboro June 20, 2013
Tameka Forte, of Havelock, NC, with a dolphin that bit a strip bait rigged on a South Chatham Tackle Pirate Plug off Beaufort Inlet near the 90′ Drop.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that low tides have made chasing red drum in the area marshes tough over the past week, but anglers are still finding a few when they can get boats to the fish. The red action has been better up the mainland creeks and rivers, where anglers are hooking up on topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live baits.
There have been plenty of finger mullet and shrimp in the creeks and rivers for anglers seeking out some live bait.
Speckled trout are also on the feed in the creeks and rivers, and they’re taking an interest in soft plastic jerkbaits and live shrimp.
Sheepshead action continues to improve around the area bridges and other hard inshore structure (with some 5+ lb. fish now in the mix). Anglers are hooking most of the sheeps on live fiddler crabs.
Black drum haven’t made a strong showing around the bridges yet, but there are some feeding around oyster rocks in the marshes.
More black drum and plenty of reds have taken up feeding stations in the surf of Bear Island. Casting soft plastics or baited bottom rigs in the sloughs and troughs off the island was quite effective on both drum species last week.
Out in the ocean, flounder fishing has improved on the nearshore ledges and live bottoms. There still aren’t big numbers of fish out there, but some have been approaching the 5 lb. mark recently.
Plenty of black sea bass are in the same areas, and both the bass and flatfish will pounce on 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
Some larger gray trout are also feeding at nearshore structure and biting the bucktails.
No kings and only a few spanish mackerel are around, but the live-bait action for both mackerels should be improving as soon as the water gets clearer.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some healthy black drum around oyster rocks in Queens Creek and other mainland waterways. Fiddler crabs are tempting bites from the drum.
Red drum are still feeding well in the marshes behind the barrier islands, but low tides have made getting to the fish tough of late. When anglers can make it to the fish, topwater plugs, Gulps, and cut or live baits will tempt the reds to bite.
The flounder bite inshore has been a bit off, but anglers are hooking a few around ICW docks on Gulp baits along with some rat red drum.
Annette O’Hara, of Swansboro, with a 25″ red drum that bit a purple/chartreuse Gulp shrimp while she was kayak fishing near Swansboro with her husband Brian.
The nearshore action in the ocean hasn’t been phenomenal lately, but anglers are finding plenty of dolphin out towards the break.
Some cobia and gag grouper are feeding at bottom structure a bit closer to shore, and both will pounce on live baits like menhaden.
Chesson, of CXC Charters, reports that bottom fishing at structure in around 80’ has been productive lately. Dropping live menhaden to the seafloor is producing some healthy gag grouper. Cut menhaden and squid on two-hook rigs are tempting bites from black sea bass, grunts, triggerfish, and other tasty bottom dwellers.
Some smaller dolphin and cobia are in the same areas.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that dolphin have moved into areas like the Hutton and the SE Bottoms. Anglers can hook them while trolling dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows or while live-baiting.
Amberjacks are in the same range and will pounce on live baits like menhaden.
Bottom fishermen are reporting some excellent black sea bass action around AR-345. The bass will bite squid and cut baits on bottom rigs or small vertical jigs.
Flounder are scattered around bottom structure from that area to the beach, and anglers can tempt them to bite 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
Surf casters are reporting action with sea mullet, spot, and some red drum along Emerald Isle’s shores. Shrimp and bloodworms will fool the panfish, while the reds are more likely to bite cut baits or finger mullet.
Inshore, there’s been a decent flounder, drum, and speckled trout bite in the creeks. Gulp baits and live baits are top choices for fooling all three.
Sheepshead have shown up around the bridges and other inshore structure, where anglers can fool them with live fiddler crabs or other crustaceans.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with pompano, sea mullet, spot, pigfish, and more while baiting up with shrimp and Fish Bites bloodworms.
Puppy drum (some slot-sized and some over) are also feeding around the pier, and they will take an interest in shrimp, sand fleas, and live and cut baits.
