Swansboro June 30, 2011
Greg and Ashton Gant, of North Wilkesboro, NC, with 4 and 5 lb. spanish mackerel they caught on live menhaden from Bogue Inlet Pier.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the red drum bite in the area is solid right now. The fish are somewhat scattered, though, so anglers may have to do some searching before they start catching. Higher tides in the marshes behind the barrier islands have been producing some of the most consistent fishing lately. Topwater plugs have been producing plenty of action with the reds in the early mornings, and popping cork rigs with live mud minnows and shrimp or Gulp baits will prove effective later in the day.
Black drum are feeding around the oyster rocks on the flats and the area’s bridge pilings. Live and dead shrimp will get attention from the striped drum.
Sheepshead fishing remains solid around the area’s bridges on rising tides, and there’s also a good bite around docks at night. Fiddler crabs are top choices for the sheeps, but live shrimp will work, too, and the pinfish seem more apt to leave the shrimp alone at night.
Flounder fishing is picking back up after a brief slowdown on the nearshore reefs, and anglers are catching the fish on live baits and bucktails tipped with Gulps.
Large spanish mackerel (3-6+ lbs.) are still feeding strong at the reefs and live bottoms within a few miles of Bogue Inlet. Smaller menhaden on scaled-down king mackerel rigs are the way to go for the big spaniards, and they will also tempt bites from some king mackerel feeding in the same areas.
Bob Barclay, of PA, and Bob Dickens, of Smithfield, NC, with a pair of upper slot red drum they hooked on topwater plugs while fishing a flat near Sneads Fery with Capt. Allen Jernigan of Breadman Ventures.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that bottom fishing off Bogue Inlet has been producing plenty of action with big black sea bass, grunts, pinkies, and other tasty bottom dwellers. Small vertical jigs and bucktails or bottom rigs baited with squid and cut baits will get attention from all the bottomfish.
Spanish mackerel fishing on the nearshore rocks and reefs is solid (with plenty of big fish), and live menhaden on light king mackerel-type gear is the way to go for the big spaniards.
Decent numbers of king mackerel are feeding alongside the spaniards, and there have been some kings feeding on out into the 20 mile range around bait and weedlines lately.
Flounder fishing just off Bogue Inlet is still good (with most fish keepers). Small live baits or bucktail jigs are tempting bites from the flounder.
Amberjacks are feeding at offshore structure. Live baits, vertical jigs, and topwater plugs will all tempt them to bite.
Greg, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are still catching plenty of red drum in the backwaters, and the early morning topwater bite has been very reliable lately.
Flounder are feeding beneath the docks inshore, and anglers are connecting with solid numbers while casting Gulp baits and live mud minnows.
Live-baiting around the Keypost and other nearshore structure is producing plenty of action with large spanish mackerel and some kings that are in the same areas.
Anglers have also reported action with kings at AR-345 and the SE Bottoms lately. Live menhaden will fool the kings wherever they are.
David and Chadley Strader, Chris Perdue, Michael Spear, and Josh Smith, from the Greensboro area, with dolphin and 6 lb. class spanish mackerel they caught on live menhaden at an aritficial reef 15 miles off Beaufort Inlet. Photo courtesy of Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers have been catching decent numbers of flounder (some to 3+ lbs.) on small live baits fished on the bottom.
Some sheepshead are falling for sand fleas and other baits dangled next to the pilings.
Plug casters are catching a few spanish mackerel when the water’s clean.
Some pompano are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp and sand fleas (with some 2+ lb. citation fish).
