Swansboro – May 11, 2017
James, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that cobia are off the beach to about 3 miles out. Anglers can target them on bucktails, cobia jigs, and live bait. Look for the fish around bait balls.
Spanish mackerel have shown up on the beach, especially south, and anglers can troll Clarkspoons or cast Gotcha plugs to the fish to connect.
The chopper blues are still around, too, and sea mullet are in the surf and waters around the pier.
The red drum are active, and trout are being caught. Target both these species with soft plastics.
Sheepshead are being landed off barnacles around structure and pilings, and anglers have also found gray trout in similar locations (and in the surf, too).
Kyle Tinnin and Park Jones, of Wilkesboro, with a 15 and 10 lb. bluefish caught on finger mullet in the surf on Emerald Isle.
Chant, of Pogies Fishing Center, reports that schools of red drum are starting to break apart, and the reds can be found back in the marshes.
The trout are hitting topwater in area waters, and big blues are still both inshore and just offshore.
Offshore, anglers are connecting with blackfin tuna.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the redfish action is still good. The fish are spreading out in the marshes a bit, as well as schooling up on the flats. Anglers are catching them on soft plastics and topwater baits, as well as cut mullet.
The flounder bite has been scattered in the area, with soft plastics and live mud minnows tempting bites.
Speckled trout have been scattered in the deeper channels in the marshes near the inlet, and throwing MirrOlures is the best way to connect to the fish.
Anglers will still find bluefish around in the same areas, and they are connecting with plastics and hard baits.
Nearshore, the bonito bite is still good, with anglers hooking the fish trolling Yo-Zuris, as well as throwing Tsumani glass minnows and Stingsilvers.
The cobia have begun to show up and are scattered along the beaches. The bite should increase as the bait starts to move up and down the beach.
Johnathan, of OnPoint Charters, reports that the warming water temperatures have the fish chewing in the inshore waters around Emerald Isle and Swansboro. Anglers are still able to sightfish for reds, with fish on the flats behind barrier islands and in local creeks. Throw soft plastics and topwaters to connect.
Speckled trout are on the move out of the local creeks, and they’re making their way into rivers and sounds. Zoom and Gulp jerk baits and suspended MirrOlures have been the top producing baits for the specks.
A few flounder have been mixed in with the trout and will take the same baits.
Large bluefish are still in the area, and they will take cut baits, topwaters, and soft plastics.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that king mackerel are 13 miles off the beach in about 70’ of water. The fish are snake-sized, in the 5-12 lb. range.
The cobia have shown up around menhaden schools, and a 72 lb. fish was recently landed.
The Gulf Stream is holding wahoo, as well as dolphin. Billfish are already being reported, too, with white and blue marlin reported, along with a sailfish.
Grouper have been chewing on the bottom as close in a 75-80’ of water, along with black sea bass. Those dropping down further out are connecting with beeliners and triggerfish.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the spanish have just started returning, and anglers are connecting with them from the end of the pier.
A few chopper bluefish are still in the area. Sea mullet, black drum, and smaller blues are also providing action.
