Swansboro – June 23, 2016
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are still finding consistent action with redfish in area marshes and creeks, particularly those behind the barrier islands. The reds are still in small schools of just a few fish, but when they can be found, they are hungry. Live shrimp, menhaden, and mullet fished on a Carolina rig or popping cork has been very effective recently. The topwater bite has picked up with the warming water, but anglers are having the best success working topwater poppers early and late in the day.
More flounder are making their way inshore, and with the recent influx of bait, more should be on the way. Most of the fish are still staging near area inlets, but anglers may be able to find them further inshore as the water warms. Fishing live mullet or peanut pogies on a Carolina rig with a kahle hook near docks, ledges, and other underwater structure will increase the likelihood of hooking up with this popular fish.
Black drum are being caught in the area creek mouths in the White Oak River and Queen’s Creek, with plenty of large fish being caught recently. Floating a live shrimp under a popping cork near docks, bridges, or oyster beds is the best way to fool the black drum.
Just offshore, large spanish are being caught around nearshore structure. Slow trolling menhaden, cigar minnows, and large mullet on scaled down king mackerel rigs will put the largest spanish mackerel in the boat. Anglers are also connecting with king mackerel in the same areas.
Nick Pope and Peyton Pollard, of Knightdale, NC, with several mahi they caught fishing out of Swansboro at the South East Bottoms using live menhaden.
Jonathan, of OnPoint Fishing Charters, reports that offshore flounder fishing has been excellent recently at nearshore reefs like AR-340 and AR-342. Most of the flatties are falling for a 2 oz. Spro Bucktail with a 3” white Gulp shrimp. For anglers that prefer fishing live bait, then mud minnows, mullet, or menhaden on a Carolina rig will also fool any hungry flounder that may be hanging around looking for a meal.
Cobia are still being caught offshore as well, but it seems that the bite has slowed with the warmer water pushing inshore. Anglers can target this species by either tossing live baits or bucktails to fish cruising just under the surface, or by soaking live or dead menhaden on the bottom.
Inshore, the sheepshead bite is red hot with some large, citation-class fish being caught recently. Fiddler crabs fished on Carolina rigs near docks and bridges is the best way to connect with this crustacean lover. Some black drum are mixed in with the sheepshead, and they can be caught using the same rigs.
Ronnie Spivey, of Rocky Mount, with two 18 flounder he caught on live pogies while kayak fishing in Bogue Sound.
Rich, of Reel Outdoors, reports that surf anglers are connecting with a mixed bag of species. Sea mullet, croakers, spot, and pompano are dominating the catch, but anglers are also connecting with redfish, flounder, and black drum. Double drop bottom rigs and Carolina rigs baited with fresh shrimp, squid, or sand fleas will tempt bites from all surf zone species.
Just off the beach, anglers are finding increasing action with large flounder and small black sea bass while fishing nearshore structure like rock piles, wrecks, and ledges. Going with 2-3 oz. bucktails tipped with 4” curly tail grubs will fool both species.
Mahi and king mackerel have been found within 10 miles of the beach recently, and they are taking an interest in live menhaden slow trolled over structure and ledges. Cigar minnows fished on Hank Brown rigs are also effective at tempting bites from both species.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that the gaffer mahi bite remains solid, with more fish moving closer to shore. The bite is best near weedlines, temp breaks, and floating structure where anglers can troll a variety of lures such as cedar plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and live menhaden. Large king mackerel and the occasional wahoo are mixed in as well.
Past the break, Gulf Stream trollers are reporting great action with numerous billfish species. Blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, and even spearfish have been caught recently.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs from the end of the pier. Anglers also hooked into a few cobia, but they were unsuccessful at getting them over the rails.
For anglers soaking baits on the bottom, sea mullet and pompano are providing the most consistent action, but speckled trout and puppy drum have also been caught.
The water is 76 degrees.
