Swansboro – September 10, 2015
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that spanish mackerel are feeding inside and outside Bogue Inlet, and anglers are hooking solid numbers of keeper fish while casting Stingsilvers and other metal jigs to the busting fish.
Some larger spanish and small kings are looking for meals around nearshore structure off Bogue Inlet, and anglers are hooking them on small live baits pinned to light wire leaders.
The flounder bite in the ocean has been a bit slow, but anglers are hooking good numbers of keepers inshore in the bays and creekmouths. Live finger mullet are fooling most of the flatfish.
Plenty of red drum are feeding in the same areas and biting live mullet as well.
The area’s speckled trout bite is picking up a bit for fall as well. Anglers are finding the specks feeding in creeks near the inlets on high, falling tides and well up the mainland creeks and rivers in the area. Live shrimp, finger mullet, and a variety of soft plastics and other artificials will tempt bites from the trout.
Adrian Sewell with his first amberjack, a 25 lb. fish that struck a live menhaden 10 miles off Bogue Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Jonathan Garrett of On Point Fishing Charters.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding some solid wahoo action while trolling the area’s Gulf Stream hotspots. The ‘hoos are falling for ballyhoo paired with skirted lures and baitless diving and high speed lures as well.
Excellent numbers of king mackerel have been showing up nearshore, and with plenty of bait in the water, the bite should hold up and perhaps even improve in the weeks to come. Some large spanish mackerel are mixed in, and both are falling for live baits on light wire leaders.
Gag grouper are moving inshore as fall approaches, and anglers may be able to find some around structure in the 70’ depths and shallower. Live baits are also great choices for the gags, but anglers can also find success with dead and cut baits as well.
Stacy Carr with her first over-slot red drum, a 29″ fish that she caught and released after it struck a live finger mullet near New River Inlet.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers have been connecting with some excellent numbers of spanish mackerel from the pier and beachfront in recent days. Metal lures like Kastmasters and gold hook rigs have been fooling the spaniards.
Boaters can also hook up with the spanish while casting metal jigs or trolling Clarkspoons just off the beaches.
Some false albacore have been feeding alongside the mackerel and biting the same lures.
There’s also been some good pompano action from the beach on baits like shrimp and flashy lures like Kastmasters.
Over-slot red drum are feeding along the shoreline as well, and they’re biting cut mullet and other baits.
The red drum action in the backwaters is still going strong, with the fish falling for live and cut mullet along with a variety of artificial lures.
Flounder are feeding inshore around docks, bridges, and other structure, and anglers can fool the flatfish with live baits or scented soft lures like Gulps.
Offshore, there’s been an excellent wahoo bite for boats making the long run to the Gulf Stream.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that mullet are running along the beach and anglers are hooking spanish mackerel, bluefish (some 2+ lbs.), and false albacore while working casting lures like Gotcha plugs and gold hook rigs from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are seeing spot, sea mullet, black drum, pompano, and more, with shrimp producing most of the action.
Some flounder are falling for live baits fished under the pier.
Anglers dangling sand fleas and other crustaceans near the pilings are connecting with some sheepshead as well.
