Swansboro November 17, 2011
Ryan Kennedy and Tracie Deal with a wahoo that bit a dark-skirted ballyhoo near the Big Rock while they were fishing on the "Tracie D" with Brandon Deal.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite has turned on, and anglers are catching big numbers of fish (with decent numbers of keepers) in the area creeks and marshes. With the falling water temperatures, the fish will be on the move towards deeper winter holes in Queens Creek and the White Oak River over the coming weeks. The specks are taking an interest in soft plastic baits and MirrOlures, and they have a tough time turning down a live mud minnow or shrimp.
The trout action will likely remain strong through the early winter, but anglers should remember to slow down their presentations as the temperatures fall.
The flounder bite is still going in the inlet and nearby channels, with good numbers of smaller fish feeding in the creeks. Live mud minnows or Gulp baits will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Some smaller black drum and puppy drum are feeding in the creeks and have been readily biting cut shrimp lately.
The majority of the area’s red drum have moved out to the surf zone, and clear water lately has led to excellent sight-casting opportunities to schools of fish feeding just off the beaches. The reds stay schooled up in the surf all winter long and offer a reliable target for anglers on calmer days. Gulp baits on slightly heavier jigheads than anglers use inshore are the way to go.
There are still some reds feeding in the marshes as well, and the clear water should lead to some exciting sight-fishing opportunities for anglers willing to put in some time searching for the fish.
The schools of false albacore seem to have moved away from Bogue Inlet towards Cape Lookout, but some north winds should bring them back off Bogue. When they do, casting small metal jigs or fluke-style soft plastics to fish that are busting bait on the surface should produce fast action.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers making the long run to the Gulf Stream off Bogue Inlet have been finding a solid wahoo bite. There have also been a good number of fish caught by anglers slow-trolling live and dead bait for king mackerel on the east side of Cape Lookout.
Gag grouper are feeding on bottom structure off Bogue Inlet, and anglers caught decent numbers in around 65’ of water last week. Live baits seem to be producing better results on the gags than dead.
Bennet Domcik, of Raleigh, and Capt. Chris Sewell, of Fishead Charters, with a speckled trout that bit a live shrimp in Bear Inlet.
Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, pufferfish, bluefish, and black drum on bottom rigs baited with shrimp from the pier.
Decent numbers of puppy drum (2-5 lbs.) are also in the mix.
Anglers working curlytail grubs (green with a red leadhead has been hot) from the pier are connecting with good numbers of speckled trout (with some undersized but some to 2+ lbs. as well).
The water is 60 degrees.
The pier closes for the season November 27, when construction on rebuilding the Hurricane Irene-damaged end will begin. The pier should be totally rebuilt by the time it reopens next spring.
