Swansboro June 3, 2010
Ray Melvin and Justin Whilte, from Johnston County, NC, with a pair of red drum they hooked on Gulp baits in the backwaters near Swansboro while fishing with Capt. Chris Sewell of Fishead Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the red drum bite is still on in the area’s backwaters, with most of the action taking place on higher tides in the marshes. The fish aren’t schooled up in the large groups they were a few weeks ago, so anglers will do better to focus on shorelines, points, and oyster rocks than looking for the big schools.
The water’s also been a little dirty lately, and, consequently, noisy lures like topwater plugs and spinnerbaits are drawing plenty of bites. Live baits like mud minnows, finger mullet, and shrimp are also excellent choices, particularly under popping floats.
Some reds are also feeding in the rivers and creeks, especially around feeder creek mouths and oyster rocks. Black drum are mixed in, and they will have a hard time resisting dead shrimp.
Sheepshead are making their summer appearance, and anglers are hooking up with them around the bridge abutments and dock pilings on the ICW. Fiddler crabs and clams are excellent baits for the sheeps. The pinfish, sea bass, and other bait stealers aren’t bad yet, so live shrimp will also produce.
Some flounder and drum are also feeding under the ICW docks and will take an interest in live shrimp.
The speckled trout bite is turning on up the rivers and creeks, particularly around deep channel bends and creekmouths. Some specks are also showing up in the feeder creeks in the sound. Topwater plugs are attracting attention from the specks in the early mornings, and Gulp and Halo shrimp imitations (along with live shrimp) are fooling them later in the day.
Southern flounder are feeding in the creeks, especially off Queen’s Creek. Anglers are hooking good numbers (and some quality fish) on white Gulp baits pinned to 1/4 and 1/8 oz. jigheads and live baits on Carolina rigs.
Summer flounder are moving into the inlets, and anglers caught good numbers in Brown’s, Bear, and Bogue inlets last week.
Flounder are also stacked up on the nearshore ledges and other structure, where they’ll fall for live baits or bucktails tipped with Gulps.
The nearshore spanish mackerel and bluefish bite is still kicking. Trolling Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers will attract plenty of attention from both species.
After this week’s southwest winds, anglers can expect both the nearshore spanish fishing to get even better and a showing of king mackerel at the area’s nearshore reefs.
Scott Young, from Morehead City, with a cobia he hooked near Cape Lookout on a bucktail.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that the dolphin bite is still on fire offshore, but it’s tapering off as the fish move a bit closer to the beaches. Boats found some good dolphin action inside 120’ last week, and the fish will be moving even closer to the beaches over the coming weeks. Trolling dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows or fishing with live baits will attract attention from the ‘phins.
Flounder are still feeding at the usual nearshore spots off Bogue Inlet. Anglers can hook up with them on live baits or while bouncing bucktail jigs off the bottom.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that Gulf Stream trollers reported some good dolphin action with some sailfish and blue marlin mixed in over the past week.
Anglers also reported dolphin as close inshore as AR-345 over the past week, so the fish are headed inshore.
The nearshore waters seem to be overrun with chopper bluefish (to 10+ lbs.), and they’re taking just about any bait that anglers can put in the water.
Some cobia are around. Anglers on the pier sighted a large school last week, so it’s not a bad idea to have a bucktail or other sight-casting lure at the ready when fishing along the beaches.
Surf fishermen have been landing bluefish, some smaller flounder, and some spot recently.
Inshore, the flounder bite’s been on in the Coast Guard channel and other deeper areas near the inlets. Live baits or scented soft plastics will fool the flatties.
Red drum are still feeding in the area’s backwaters and will take an interest in topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and Gulp baits.
Patty, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some spot, pigfish, and blues on cut shrimp.
Anglers fishing smaller live baits on the bottom are picking up some keeper flounder and puppy drum.
Some chopper bluefish (7-12 lbs.) are falling for live baits on the king rigs. Smaller cobia have also been taking an interest in the king rigs and Gotcha plugs.
The spanish mackerel bite has been decent early and late in the day for anglers working Gotcha plugs from the planks.
