Swansboro June 23, 2011
Tracie Deal, of Cape Carteret, with a 44 lb. citation wahoo that fell for a blue/white skirted ballyhoo near the Swansboro Hole.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that there’s been plenty of bait in the area and plenty of gamefish on the prowl over the past week. Finger mullet, small menhaden, and live shrimp are all abundant in the Swansboro backwaters, so finding some live baits shouldn’t be much of a challenge for anglers with modest castnet skills.
Inshore, the red drum fishing’s been pretty solid in the bays and marshes behind the barrier islands. The fish are scattered in small groups, and live baits have been the most effective at tempting them to bite lately.
Speckled trout are feeding in some of the creeks near the inlets, and live shrimp fished under floats will attract their attention.
Flounder are feeding around docks and other structure inshore, and bucktails tipped with Gulp baits or small live baits will get their attention.
The sheepshead bite is still solid beneath the bridges in the area, and live fiddler crabs are top choices for sheepshead baits.
Black drum are feeding around deep structure inshore and at oyster rocks in the marshes on flood tides. Live or dead shrimp will attract plenty of attention from them.
Off the beaches, the spanish mackerel action remains solid. Boaters can connect with smaller spanish by trolling Clarkspoons around the inlet and beachfront, and larger fish can be found while live-baiting at nearshore structure. Scaled-down king rigs and small menhaden are the way to go for the leader-shy larger spaniards.
Some king mackerel are feeding within five miles of the beaches, and live baits are the best way to get their attention.
Most of the artificial reefs in the area are playing host to schools of amberjacks. Anglers can tempt them to bite live baits, vertical jigs, and, at times, topwater plugs.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that there are good numbers of dolphin in the 20-30 mile range off Bogue Inlet. Anglers are hooking the fish while trolling, casting to them, and light-lining while bottom fishing. A variety of baits and lures will tempt bites from the curious fish.
A few king mackerel are mixed in with the dolphin, and some are feeding along the beach and at nearshore structure, but there haven’t been many kings in between. Live baits are the best way to tempt the larger mackerel to bite when anglers can find them.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding around nearshore structure, and anglers can hook up with good numbers while slow-trolling small live baits on scaled down king mackerel rigs.
Bottom fishing has been solid at spots from 60-100’ deep lately. Anglers are hooking up with good numbers of big black sea bass, grunts, triggerfish, and other bottom feeders. Squid, cut baits, bucktails, and small vertical jigs will all produce results.
Matt and Tracy Richards with a 14 lb. dolphin Tracy landed on light tackle while flounder fishing a spot 7 miles off Bogue Inlet with Capt. Jeff Cronk of Fish'N4Life Charters.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that there are still plenty of spanish mackerel just off the beaches. Anglers fishing live baits stand a much better chance with the bigger spaniards than those trolling spoons and other lures.
Some sailfish have been seen at nearshore structure, with at least one already released not far off Bogue Inlet. Live baits will attract attention from the sails if anglers happen to cross paths with one.
Black sea bass are feeding at the AR’s and other nearshore structure. They’ll take an interest in squid and cut baits or jigging lures like Easy Hooker Flutter Jigs.
Inshore, the flounder and drum bite has been solid in the backwaters. Gulps and live baits are appealing to the flatfish and reds.
JoAnne, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet, spot, and croaker on shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits on the bottom.
Plug casters are connecting with some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotchas.
