Swansboro May 9, 2013
John Mauser, of Tailing Tide Guide Service, with a red drum that took a crab fly in 1′ of water near Swansboro.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some flounder and black and red drum moving out of the mainland creeks in the area. Many of the flounder are still on the small side, but anglers are picking up some keepers. The best action has been around the creekmouths on Gulp baits, live mud minnows, and fresh shrimp.
Sea mullet are still feeding in the deeper channels near Swansboro, but the bite has slowed considerably from a few weeks back.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes, with mostly scattered small groups of fish but a few schools working the bays. Gulp baits and live mud minnows are tempting most of the bites from the reds right now, but anglers are starting to hook a few on topwater plugs as well.
Bluefish have moved into the area in force, and anglers are catching a few on topwater plugs while casting for reds in the marshes. More blues are feeding in the channels and around drop-offs near the inlets, and they will strike a wide variety of baits and lures. The higher falling tides have been producing the most consistent action with the blues around the inlets.
Robbie, of Hall’em In Charters, reports that anglers are seeing big numbers of red drum (many in schools) in the marshes behind the barrier islands. There are still some smaller fish around, but upper-slot (24-27”) fish are becoming more and more common. Gulp baits and Zoom Flukes laced with blue crab-flavor Pro-Cure scents are producing most of the action with the reds. Topwater plugs are also starting to tempt some bites.
Bluefish (many 2-4 lbs. but some to 8+ lbs.) are mixed in with the reds and striking topwater plugs as well.
There are still some sea mullet feeding in the deeper channels and holes near Swansboro, and clam-flavor Fish Bites on bottom rigs are tough for the panfish to pass up.
Derick Holden, of Dudley’s Marina, with an upper-slot red drum that bit a Gulp shrimp in a bay near Swansboro while he was fishing with Capt. Dale Collins.
Anglers hooked the first spanish mackerel of the year last week, so it shouldn’t take too many more warm days to kick off the spanish bite.
Josh, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet, bluefish (some big choppers), and pufferfish from the surf and piers. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits are doing most of the damage.
A few puppy drum are mixed in with the other bottom feeders in the surf, and anglers are catching plenty more in the backwaters. The marshes around the mouth of the White Oak River have been holding particularly good numbers of reds recently. Topwater plugs, Gulps, and live baits are all solid choices.
Speckled trout have begun moving out of the creeks, but there are still a few around for persistent anglers.
Flounder are showing up inshore and along the beachfront. Most are still on the small side, but there are some keepers in the mix. The ratio of keeper fish to shorts will only improve by the week. Live baits and Gulps are both tough for the flatfish to turn down.
Not many boats have been offshore lately, but anglers are still connecting with some wahoo, blackfin tuna, and a few yellowfins when they’ve been able to make the run.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching some healthy black drum and sea mullet while bottom fishing with shrimp. A few pompano are mixed in as well.
Bluefish are also feeding around the pier and taking an interest in bottom rigs and casting lures like Gotcha plugs.
