Swansboro October 27, 2005
Capt. Jeff Cronk, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that most of the shrimp have moved into the ocean due to all of the recent rain. There are plenty of 3 to 6″ mullet minnows along the ICW and the creeks from the ICW to the inlets, as well as in the mainland creeks. The mainland creeks are holding the smaller baits (from 3 to 4″) and the larger minnows (from 4 to 6″) are along the ICW. The recent cold snaps have chased lots of small menhaden into the mainland feeder creeks.
Trout is the word in Swansboro lately. You can find lots of 11 to 14″ trout around the usual holes from the ICW to the inlets, along with a few 2 to 4 lb. schools and an occasional 5+ lb. speck. This past week there were several 4 to 9 lb. trout caught from the Emerald Isle Bridge to Brown’s Inlet in the marsh systems.
The red drum fishing is on fire around Swansboro right now. There are lots of 17 to 27″ reds along the ICW and in the feeder creeks from the ICW to the inlets (Bogue, Bear, Browns). Fish are feeding well on the incoming tides and striking a variety of baits including topwater baits, spinner baits, and live baits on both float cork rigs and Carolina rigs. There are also lots of reds currently working the inlets, inlet shoals, and surf.
There have been some really nice flounder caught on the internal waters this week. There were a handful of flounder reported around Swansboro weighing from 6 to 8 lbs., and lots of 1 to 3 lb. fish have been caught. Live mullet minnows worked on Carolina rigs or tipped on a jighead will be the best bait, although a spinner bait worked around shallow water docks is excellent too.
The spot bite was excellent this past weekend all over the ICW, Trout Creek, and Bogue Inlet connecting channels. Also, forget about using bloodworms. The new ultimate bait for spots is the Fish Bites brand of artificial strip baits in bloodworm scent.
There are a few gray trout around the deeper water located at the inlets and the inlet connecting channels. These fish have been hitting small, live finger mullet, live and fresh shrimp, and artificials like lead head/grub combinations. Most fish in the area are weighing from 1 to 2 lbs.
Sharon, at Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that spot fishing has been irregular, with good runs (Sunday) and slow periods (Friday and Saturday). The blues are biting again real well, and there’s even been a few spanish in the last week.
Dale, at The Reel Outdoors, reports that spots have been doing well on the surf and inside around the Emerald Isle Bridge (up and down both sides) and at Trout Creek. Go with real or artificial bloodworms.
The surf has been producing a variety of species recently, with catches of black drum, pompano, sea mullet, and a few blues.
The red drum bite continues to do well by working the marsh grass on the flooded tide with live mullet, Gulp shrimp, or topwater baits.
The speckled trout bite is scattered, with fish up to 18″ reported at Trout Creek, the old Bogue Inlet, and Bear Inlet.
