Swansboro September 14, 2006
Jeff, at FishN4Life Charters, reports that the storm water run-off has really affected the clarity as well as the salinity of the water in Swansboro, but amazingly the fish are biting well despite the conditions.
On the internal waters around Bogue Sound, White Oak River, Queens Creek, and the connecting channels between the ICW and the inlets, the redfish bite has been superb. Multiple catches of redfish from 20 to 30 inches are common by working topwaters and/or spinner baits tipped with Berkley Gulp baits. There are also good numbers of redfish in the surfzone around the inlets.
The rain has forced the local speckled trout population down river and closer to the inlets and ICW, with many 1 to 3 lb. speckled trout being caught. The trout bite has been on all the usual trout baits, including Mirrolures, Berkley shrimp, and live shrimp.
There are plenty of southern and summer flounder along the ICW and near the inlets. Live baits on Carolina rigs or Berkley Gulp baits tipped on jigheads or spinner baits will both produce flounder along with redfish on the ICW docks and structure.
White Oak River and Queens Creek, as well as Banks Channel and West Channel, are holding black drum from 1 to 3 lbs. Live shrimp, fresh shrimp, or Berkley strip baits will produce more strikes from small black drum than any other bait, so be sure to bring them along if you’re working these areas.
As for nearshore, the spanish mackerel and king mackerel bite has been off since Tropical Storm Ernesto rolled through. However, the flounder bite has already picked back up with decent numbers of 2 to 3 lb. flounder (along with some 4 to 5 pounders) being caught in the 1 to 6 miles off the beach range.
The 10 to 20 lb. kings (along with larger fish) should be showing up close to the beaches within the next few weeks. Typically many 10 to 20+ lb. kings show in good numbers beginning in October. The places to try will include Bear Rock, Station Rock, Keypost Rock, East Rock, AR-315, AR-320, the MHC Shipping Channel, the Dead Tree Hole, the end of the Cape Lookout jetty, and the rocks and ledges on the east side of Cape Lookout. Big live shad will be the best baits for these large fall kings.
Stan, of Captain Stanman’s Fishing Charters, reports that Ernesto continues to have an effect on the nearshore fishing. The storm really dirtied the area waters. Hurricane Florence may be the next in line, and it can create large swells in our shallow draft inlets. Check the inlets carefully before venturing out to sea, especially the times of low tides which will create the largest swells.
The kings are due to hit the beach any day now barring any hurricanes. The east and northeast winds and full moon have recently made them a little difficult to find at times. The likely places to look for them are within 5 to 7 miles of Bogue Inlet. Try Bear Rock, Lost Rock, Watsons Rock, Jim Davis Rock, Keypost, AR-342, the Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club Reef (AR-345), and the Rotary Club of Swansboro’s Reef.
The menhaden have arrived; however, they have been playing hide and seek with the fishermen. The shrimpers are working the ICW in and around Swansboro, and this has been moving the menhaden back into the estuaries.
Mike, at Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching a mixed bag of black and red drum, pompano, spanish mackerel, and spots.
