Swansboro September 26, 2013
Andy Harris, of Greenville, NC, with a black drum that bit frozen shrimp in a marsh behind Bear Island.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that there’s still a solid red drum bite in the area marshes, both up the creeks and rivers and in the sound. There are big numbers of live shrimp in the area right now, and shrimp under floats or on Carolina rigs fished near grasslines and oyster bars are producing most of the fish.
Black drum are feeding in many of the same areas and falling for live shrimp as well.
Speckled trout are beginning to show up in the sound, but most of the fish are still in the creeks and rivers. Live shrimp are also the best bets for the specks, but they’ll fall for a wide variety of artificial lures as well.
Flounder are feeding in the marshes, inlets, and around docks and other structure inshore. Live finger mullet or Gulp baits will tempt bites from the flatfish.
The ocean flounder bite has also been good lately, with most of the fish feeding around nearshore structure like ledges and live bottoms within a few miles of shore. Bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits are the way to go for the flatfish in the ocean.
Bluefish and big numbers of spanish mackerel are chasing bait just off the beachfront. Trollers are catching plenty, but anglers have also been able to cast metal jigs to schools of fish feeding on the surface to hook up on light tackle lately.
Baldo and Rob Cordero with a pair of keeper cobia that they hooked at 45 Minute Rock while fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters. One bit a live menhaden and one bit a bucktail jig.
Larger spanish are looking for meals a bit further off the beach, and they will pounce on live finger mullet or peanut menhaden fished on scaled-down king mackerel rigs.
The king bite has been fairly slow, but there are a few feeding within 10 miles of shore.
Some cobia have also been feeding around nearshore and offshore structure, and they’re taking an interest in live baits and bucktail jigs.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that there are still some bailer dolphin looking for meals 10-15 miles offshore. They’ll bite live and dead baits as well as a variety of artificials when they’re feeding.
Some large spanish mackerel and false albacore are feeding in around 80’ of water and taking an interest in small live baits and trolling lures.
Gag grouper are holding around bottom structure in the same range, but should move closer to shore as the water cools a bit with the beginning of fall.
Closer to shore, there are still plenty of spinner and blacktip sharks feeding within a few miles of the beaches. Both will attack live, dead, or cut baits.
Josh, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf casters have had a big week, landing solid catches of sea mullet and pompano while baiting up with shrimp and sand fleas.
Red drum are schooling around Bogue Inlet, and many slot and over-slot fish were hooked from the point last week. Live and cut baits are attracting attention from the reds.
Lauren Auton, of Wilmington, with 4.5 lb. spanish mackerel that bit a live finger mullet at the Cape Lookout Rock Jetty.
Some spanish mackerel have also been hooked from the beach by anglers working metal lures lately, and boats are catching big numbers while trolling and casting just offshore.
Inshore, speckled trout are getting on the move for fall, and the bite should turn on over the next few weeks.
Flounder fishing has been solid all over the backwaters, with particularly good action in the White Oak River recently. Live baits and Gulps are fooling the flatfish.
Offshore, the wahoo bite remains excellent, with good reports coming from around the 14 Buoy and the Rise last week. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are fooling most of the ‘hoos.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are seeing some excellent fall fishing begin. Bottom fishermen are connecting with solid catches of sea mullet, spot, pompano, puppy drum, and more. Shrimp, bloodworms, and cut baits are fooling the bottom feeders.
Flounder are taking an interest in live baits fished under the pier.
Plug casters are hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotchas and diamond jigs.
A 21 lb. king mackerel fell for a live bait off the end of the pier last week.
