Swansboro May 31, 2012
Jessica Sheffield, of Kernersville, NC, with a dolphin that bit a trolled ballyhoo near the 90' Drop while she was fishing with Capt. Bobby Borquin of Teezher Charters out of Emerald Isle.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the area’s red drum bite has slowed substantially, likely due to the tropical low pressure systems that have ruled the weather pattern lately. Anglers are still finding a few fish in the local bays, but the large schools have disappeared.
Surf casters on Bear Island are connecting with some big reds (to 40”+) on large cutbaits.
Black drum are starting to show up more consistently inshore, and bottom fishing with shrimp around structure like bridge and dock pilings will tempt them to bite.
Sheepshead are also making a solid showing around the pilings and other hard inshore structure. Live fiddler crabs are top baits for the sheeps.
Flounder fishing continues to improve inshore, and anglers are hooking the flatfish while looking for drum in the shallow bays and by targeting them in deeper marsh channels and creeks (with at least half the fish now keepers). Live baits and Gulps are the ways to tempt bites from the flounder.
The flounder bite also continues to improve on the nearshore reefs and live bottoms when boats are able to get out to them. Gulp baits pinned to 2 oz. bucktails are the go-to lures in the ocean. Plenty of black sea bass are feeding in the same areas, and they open to harvest June 1.
Spanish mackerel fishing should improve when the seas calm down and the water cleans up, and June is often when anglers see some of the largest spaniards of the year. Live baits are the way to go for the biggest spanish.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that the red drum bite has slowed down and the large schools of fish seem to have broken up. Anglers are occasionally seeing smaller groups of 15 or so fish, but most are scattered. The reds that are around aren’t shy, as anglers are hooking them on topwater plugs in addition to Gulps, Carolina-rigged live baits, and other offerings.
Flounder are feeding beneath docks and in the creeks behind the barrier islands, and the average size is improving. Gulps or live baits are top choices for the flatfish. The wind has kept many people from targeting flounder at the nearshore wrecks and reefs, but they should be there and willing to bite when anglers can make it out of the inlet.
Speckled trout fishing has been decent, and June is often an excellent month for larger trout. Most of the fish lately have been feeding around creekmouths on the falling tides. Live shrimp are the top choices for the specks, and they’re around in big enough numbers to gather via cast net.
Jon "Jon-Boy" Wood, Capt. Mike Taylor, and John Roberts with with 12, 18, and 22 lb. red grouper that bit menahden and cigar minnows in 140' of water off Beaufort Inlet while they were fishing on the "Weldor's Rod."
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf and pier anglers are hooking sea mullet and chopper bluefish. Shrimp are fooling the mullet, while cut baits are better choices for the big blues.
The flounder bite is also turning on in the surf, and Gulp baits are tough to beat for the flatfish.
Flounder fishing inshore is turning on as well, with Gulps and smaller live baits producing most of the action.
The flatfish should also be ready and waiting for anglers at nearshore live bottom and reefs when the sea is calm enough to get to them.
Offshore, the grouper bite has been solid in around 100’ of water lately. Black sea bass are numerous at just about any bottom structure out in the ocean, and their season opens June 1.
The dolphin bite is still solid in the Gulf Stream, and boats also saw good numbers of blue marlin over the past week.
Patty, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some big (6-12+ lbs.) bluefish on live baits fished on king rigs.
Some smaller blues are falling for Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are decking some sea mullet, spot, pigfish, and others while baiting up with shrimp.
Sheepshead are feeding near the pier’s pilings, where they’ll take an interest in fiddler crabs or sand fleas.
