Added on Thursday, October 27, 2011  Fish Post

Swansboro October 27, 2011

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the false albacore action off Bogue Inlet has been excellent over the past few weeks. The fish are feeding on schools of glass minnows from just off the beaches out to the nearshore reefs. Searching for working birds or schools feeding on the surface will help anglers key on the fish, and casting metal lures like diamond jigs or soft plastics on jigheads will tempt the fish to bite.

Big numbers of bluefish are feeding on glass minnows around Bogue Inlet, and they’ll bite just about anything that anglers can cast. The action has been best just inside the inlet at higher tides and along the outside bar at lower water.

Red drum have moved into the surf zone, and calmer weather should lead to good conditions for sight-casting to schools in the breakers over the coming days.

Some reds are still scattered in the bays and marshes inshore, but most of the larger fish seem to have moved to the beachfront.

Speckled trout action has been solid inshore in the marshy creekmouths, around oyster bars, and adjacent deeper channels. Live shrimp are top choices for the specks, but they’ve been tough to find lately. Small finger mullet have been producing good results as well. The finger mullet are holding in the shallow, muddy creeks in the area. Float rigs and Carolina rigs with longer than normal leaders are the best bets for the specks.

Flounder fishing has been excellent lately as many of the large fish move towards the ocean for winter. The deeper creekmouths and channels near the inlets have been producing the best flatfish action (with many 3-4 lb. fish), and both live baits and Gulps will tempt them to bite.

 

Chesson, of CXC Charters, reports that gag grouper have moved closer to the beaches, and anglers caught keepers at structure in less than 70’ of water last week. Live baits are tough to beat for the groupers, but bucktail jigs tipped with dead or cut baits will also produce action.

Some cobia seem to have moved into the same areas as the gags, and anglers landed several 20-30 lb. cobes last week on the same baits that the grouper are eating.

Large flounder are also on the same structure, and they will take an interest in live baits or bucktails as well.

Inshore, casting topwater plugs in the marshes has been producing some exciting red drum action lately, and anglers can also target the fish with Gulps or live baits.

 

Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf casters have been landing some slot and over-slot red drum from the point at Bogue Inlet. Most are falling for cut baits, but anglers are hooking a few reds and some speckled trout while working MirrOlures in the surf as well.

The flounder bite is still on inshore, with most of the fish coming from sandy areas near the inlets lately. Live baits and Gulps on jigheads and bucktails will fool the flatfish.

Speckled trout are feeding in the marshes and creeks, where live shrimp and soft plastic baits will attract their attention.

Offshore, anglers are finally seeing a decent king mackerel bite develop out of Bogue Inlet, with particularly good action at the Hutton, SE Bottoms, and Jerry’s Reef recently.

Live baits are tough to beat for the kings, but anglers can also hook up while pulling dead cigar minnows and small ballyhoo.

Bottom fishermen have found some solid grouper action at structure in the 18-20 mile range over the past week.

 

Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, pompano, and a few spot while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.

A few puppy drum are falling for shrimp and live baits on the bottom.

Some speckled trout and bluefish have also been in the mix and taking a variety of baits.