Swansboro – June 5, 2014
Todd Smith, Jon Morton, and Capt. Robbie Hall with an 86 lb. wahoo that bit a ballyhoo under a red/black Ilander while they were trolling at the Big Rock on the “Triple S.”
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with big numbers of red drum inshore, with fish feeding around the mouths of the creeks and rivers and in the marshes behind the barrier islands. Topwater plugs and smaller Gulp baits have been effective on the reds recently, and soaking cut baits has been producing near guaranteed hookups.
Live baits are beginning to be available inshore, and anglers can find large enough shrimp, finger mullet, and menhaden to use for reds and flounder right now.
The flounder action’s been best out in the ocean, but anglers are hooking a few inshore around docks and alongside the reds.
Black drum and sheepshead are showing up around oyster bars and bridge and dock pilings inshore, where anglers can tempt them to bite fiddler crabs or live shrimp.
Flounder are feeding on structure out in the ocean, with the best action at spots further out in the 5-10 mile range instead of right on the beachfront. Bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits are the way to fool the flatfish in the ocean.
Keeper black sea bass are on the feed around bottom structure in the 8-15 mile range, and anglers can tempt them to bite bucktails as well, along with small vertical jigs and baited bottom rigs.
Large spanish mackerel should be showing up at nearshore structure very soon if they aren’t already there, and anglers can tempt the big spaniards with live menhaden and finger mullet on scaled-down king mackerel rigs.
Marissa Schlenker, of Garner, NC, and Matthew Spivey with a dolphin that bit a ballyhoo under a blue/white Ilander near the Big Rock.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that anglers are still connecting with some cobia just off Bogue Inlet, with sight-casting bucktails and eel imitations producing most of the fish.
Some large spanish mackerel have been chasing bait on the surface in the same areas, and anglers are hooking them on diamond jigs and other metal casting lures.
The puppy drum bite inshore is still going strong, with most of the fish in the marshes and bays behind the barrier islands. Anglers are fooling the reds with topwater plugs, Gulps, and live baits.
The flounder bite is improving inshore as well, and anglers are finding the best flatfish action around docks off the ICW. Live baits and Gulps are tempting bites from the flatfish.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still seeing some cobia off Bogue Inlet, and anglers are fooling them with both live menhaden and artificials like bucktails and eels.
Spanish mackerel are feeding in the same areas and pouncing on casting lures like diamond jigs.
Bottom fishing around structure in the 90’ depths and further is producing plenty of action with red porgy, grunts, black sea bass, triggerfish, gag grouper, and more. Cut baits and squid are producing action with most of the bottom feeders, with live baits fooling the larger grouper.
The dolphin bite is still going strong out in the Gulf Stream.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are still connecting with good numbers of red drum and flounder inshore. Gulp baits and live baits are fooling most of the fish.
Surf and pier bottom fishermen have found action with sea mullet and pompano recently while baiting up with shrimp and sand fleas.
Cobia are feeding just off the beaches, and anglers are hooking them from the pier and boat while casting live baits and jigs.
Flounder and black sea bass are feeding around the AR’s and other nearshore structure, where anglers can tempt them to bite 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
The dolphin bite remains hot when boats have the weather to run offshore. Skirted ballyhoo are fooling the majority of the dolphin.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are still connecting with plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs from the pier (some to 3+ lbs.).
Anglers are also seeing and hooking some cobia on live baits and artificials.
Bottom fishermen have been connecting with black drum and puppy drum (both to 5+ lbs.), along with some sea mullet, pompano, spot, gray trout, and more. Shrimp and cut baits are producing most of the action on the bottom rigs.
