Swansboro June 21, 2012
Jena Bish, of Dover, NC, with a pair of dolphin that struck trolled ballyhoo near the Rise.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the flounder bite at the nearshore live bottoms and reefs off Bogue Inlet has been outstanding lately (producing both big numbers and some solid 4-5 lb. fish). Gulp baits on 2 oz. bucktails are producing the majority of the flatfish action.
Good numbers of legal black sea bass are mixed in with the flounder further offshore and also falling for the bucktails.
Cobia have been in the same areas, and anglers hooked several while flounder fishing last week, along with a 20 lb. dolphin that swam up to the boat at AR-345.
The large spanish mackerel have also shown up nearshore, and anglers are hooking them at the same structure as the flounder and other fish. Live menhaden on scaled-down king mackerel rigs are the way to tempt bites from the big spaniards, and the action’s been best in the early morning hours.
Smaller spanish and plenty of bluefish are feeding around Bogue Inlet and along the beachfront, where anglers can troll Clarkspoons or cast metal jigs to fish feeding on the surface to hook up.
Flounder fishing has also been good inshore, with anglers catching solid numbers while drifting the inlets and fishing docks and other structure in the ICW. Smaller buctkail/Gulp combinations or live baits on Carolina rigs are tempting bites from the flatfish inshore.
Red drum action has improved inshore, and anglers are finding scattered reds in the marshes and around oyster bars in the White Oak River. Live finger mullet and mud minnows and cut baits have been the most effective baits lately.
Some black drum are also feeding around the oyster bars, and shrimp will attract their attention.
More black drum and sheepshead are looking for meals around the area’s bridge pilings. Live fiddler crabs will tempt them both to bite.
Tara Hughes with a dolphin that bit a ballyhoo under a pink/crystal sea witch while she was trolling near the Naeco on the "Maverick."
Dale, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are connecting with some bluefish, flounder, and sea mullet from the beach at Emerald Isle. Shrimp, cut baits, and live baits are producing results in the breakers.
Shark fishermen are finding success from the beaches while paddling and casting baits out after dark. Tigers, blacktips, lemons, and spinners have been the most common, and large cut baits are attracting their attention.
Flounder fishing has been excellent at the AR’s and other structure off Bogue Inlet, with the best results coming for anglers bouncing bucktail/Gulp combinations off the bottom.
Good numbers of black sea bass are mixed in at spots from 8-10 miles on out. They’ll bite the bucktails or bottom rigs baited with squid and cut baits.
Some red drum are feeding in the marshes, where anglers are hooking them on topwater plugs.
Cathy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that some spot, pigfish, and a few pompano are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Plug casters are hooking a few spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha plugs.
