Added on Thursday, May 29, 2008  Gary Hurley

Swansboro May 29, 2008

Jeff, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that inshore fishing continues to improve, and there are plenty of peanut pogies, tiger side minnows, and fiddler crabs around for anglers searching for live baits.

The large schools of red drum behind Emerald Isle, Bear Island, and Brown’s Island have broken up into smaller pods of fish due to the large numbers of nets set in the area. Some reds are also feeding in the surf for anglers willing to cross over the barrier islands. Live baits on Carolina rigs, Gulp baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs will all entice the reds to bite.

Summer flounder should continue moving into the inlets as the water temperature climbs. Typically, this is a very good time of year to drift fish for flounder in the inlets. Carolina-rigged finger mullet, peanut pogies, and tiger side minnows along with bucktail/Gulp bait combos will get attention from the flounder.

Sheepshead have taken up residence in the area and are feeding around hard structure like bridge pylons and docks. The majority are in the 1-3 lb. class, and anglers are hooking up with them while fishing fiddler crabs close to the structure on small, wide-gap hooks. Sea urchins, live shrimp, mud crabs, and Gulp sand fleas will all produce action with the sheepshead as well. The bite usually stays hot through May, June, and July as the hungry fish feed after the long migration inshore.

The nearshore live bottoms and reefs are holding bluefish and spanish and king mackerel. Anglers can hook up with both species by trolling deep diving lures on light tackle around the structure. Clarkspoons and Drone spoons will also get their attention.

Bluefish, flounder, sea bass, small triggerfish, and other bottom dwellers will be feeding around the same structure where the mackerel are feeding. A bottom rig baited with shrimp or squid will produce results on most of these fish, and anglers can target the larger sea bass and flounder with 4-6″ live baits fished on Carolina rigs or 1-2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits.

 

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been on fire near the beaches over the past week, with some larger fish mixed in with the school-sized ones. Green flash Clarkspoons in #00 are getting plenty of bites from the spaniards. Anglers looking to catch the largest fish should fish live baits with small hooks and light wire leaders for the best results.

Small king mackerel are feeding alongside the spanish at the nearshore reefs and live bottoms.

Flounder fishing on the nearshore reefs is picking up, and there are also good numbers of flounder moving into the inlets.

 

Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that anglers are starting to find consistent action with flounder (many up to 3-4 lbs.) at the reefs just off the beaches. Station Rock and the Keypost are two good places to start looking for the flatties. A 2 oz. Spro bucktail tipped with a Gulp Shrimp and jigged vertically over the structure will fool the nearshore flounder.

Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding consistently between Bogue Inlet Pier and the inlet. Anglers can target the spanish by trolling Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows at 3-5 kts. or by fishing live peanut pogies on light wire leaders and small gold treble hooks. With the pogies, anglers should just get into the tidal current and use the motors to hold their position. The spanish will find the baits.

King mackerel are feeding around AR 415 and the Southeast Bottoms. A spread of Yo-Zuri Deep Divers and dead cigar minnows behind Pirate Plugs will draw interest from the kings. Anglers can also frequently jig up live baits such as cigar minnows from the bottom structure, and these are highly recommended.

Grouper are feeding at ledges and around the Hutton and Rocks South of 13. Butterfly jigs dropped to the structure should get their attention.

 

Stan, of Capt. Stanman’s Charters, reports that anglers are finding great dolphin fishing but few tuna and wahoo out in the Stream. The dolphin action has been solid between the 90′ Drop and the Big Rock, and anglers are landing some larger fish (up to 40 lbs.) mixed in with the average dolphin (10-20 lbs.).

King mackerel are feeding closer to the beaches at spots in the 10-12 mile range with a few fish feeding along the beaches near Bogue Inlet. Most of the kings are 8-10 lbs., but they’re present in big numbers. A double cigar minnow rig using two Hank Brown or Gitzem jigheads should draw plenty of strikes from the school-sized kings.

Spanish mackerel have taken the place of bonito feeding nearshore, and anglers can hook up with them while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures (see the straw rig feature in the back of the issue).

 

Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches, where boats are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures.

Surf fishermen are catching a few bluefish and some flounder.

A few cobia are turning up nearshore, and a large one was lost from the pier last week.

Some flounder are coming from the artificial reefs, and kings are feeding around AR 345.

Inshore, the red drum bite remains solid in the backwaters.

 

Herb, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish (with some Hatteras blues up to 8 lbs.) on Gotchas.

Bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp are catching whiting and pompano.

The water temperature is 71 degrees.