Swansboro November 14, 2013
Stuart Parker, of Emerald Isle, NC, with a 10 lb. false albacore that bit a Kastmaster spoon in the local surf.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that there’s been a solid speckled trout bite going on in the marsh creeks near the area inlets recently. Most of the fish are on the small side, but there are some fat specks mixed in. There’s also been good trout fishing up the White Oak River and in the mainland creeks in the past few weeks.
Live shrimp are the best bets for the trout, but anglers can also hook up on soft plastics like Zoom Flukes.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes and on the flats in the sound, but not many have been working the creeks lately. Live baits have been the most effective offerings for the reds, but anglers are still hooking up on topwater plugs, Gulp baits, and other artificials.
The cooling water has pushed the flounder out of many of the area’s shallow bays, and they’re stacking up in the deeper creeks and channels nearby. Any area adjacent to the marsh with 4-5’ or more water at low tide is likely to be holding the flatfish right now, and they’ve been hungrily pouncing on white Gulp baits and live finger mullet pinned to jigheads.
Off the beaches, there are still schools of false albacore chasing bait within a few miles of shore. Anglers can find the schools by looking for working birds, then cast small diamond jigs or other metal lures to hook up with the nearshore speedsters.
Robbie, of Hall’Em In Charters, reports that there’s been a solid trout bite in the mainland rivers and creeks in the area lately (with many 2-3 lb. fish and some to 4-5 lbs.). Live shrimp have been producing most of the action with the specks lately, but anglers can also hook up on a variety of soft plastic lures.
Paul Tew, of Zebulon, NC, with a 6.5 lb. flounder that bit a live finger mullet in a creekmouth behind Emerald Isle.
Red drum have moved out of the inlets and are schooling up in big numbers in the surf zone. Anglers who find the schools can cast Gulp baits or a wide variety of other baits and lures for fast action on the reds. Some smaller reds have been feeding in the marshes, but most of the upper and over-slot fish are in the ocean right now. As the water cools off over the next month, many of the fish should begin pushing back into the inlets and schooling up in the marshes.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore fishing around bottom structure in the 60’ depths has been producing plenty of action and fillets from triggerfish, black sea bass, and flounder. Bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits and two-hook rigs baited with squid have both been producing results on the bottom feeders.
Josh, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are finally starting to see good catches of spot in the ICW around the Emerald Isle Bridge. Natural and artificial bloodworms are fooling the panfish.
Surf casters are hooking black drum and sea mullet on shrimp.
Speckled trout haven’t made a strong showing in the surf yet, but anglers are hooking big numbers in the backwaters on live baits and a variety of artificials. Once the water temperatures drop a bit more, the surf bite should heat up.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with big numbers of black drum (to 6+ lbs.) from the pier. Most are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs, which are also getting attention from puppy drum, sea mullet, and a few sheepshead. Some spot, croaker, and pufferfish have also been mixed in recently.
