Swansboro September 28, 2006
Jeff, at FishN4Life Charters, reports that the chill in the air marks the start of the fall speckled trout bite. For several weeks now the specks have been biting well in the Swansboro area. Most of these early fall specks are ranging from 1 to 2 lbs., with a few larger fish mixed in.
The bite will only get better with each passing week. The peak of the season for numbers usually falls in late October or early November.
The specks are biting well on Gulp baits tipped on light jig heads, mirrolures, live shrimp, and a variety of other baits. Fish can be caught on both the rising and falling tide, but tidal movement in the key. Slack water, especially low tide, doesn’t usually produce many fish.
There are also plenty of redfish in the 20 to 25 inch range working bait throughout the tidal creeks and shallow bays close to the inlets and in the grass flats in Bogue Sound.
And many fishermen are reporting good numbers of redfish in the 25 to 35 inch range around the inlet shoals.
The southern and summer flounder are scattered all over the internal waters, with many fish being caught in the tidal creeks and around ICW structure. During the rising tide, many flounder (like other fish) will move up against marsh banks and can easily be targeted by casting jig heads or spinner baits tipped with your favorite soft bait to the edges of the grass.
The bluefish have returned in good numbers, with a lot in the 1 to 2 lb. range all over Bogue Sound and the inlet connecting channels. Along with the blues, there have been some very nice sized gray trout being boated in the inlet channels. Many anglers are reporting 1 to 2 lb. grays around the mouth of the new Bogue Inlet. Try jigging a stingsilver in the deeper sections of the channel for the grays.
Stan, at Captain Stanman’s Fishing Charters, reports that the king bite has improved on the beaches recently as the waters started to clear from Ernesto. Kings in the 20 lb. class have been reported close to shore. And there have also been reports of pods of bait all over the beach.
Many of the kings in the OBO KMT came from the east side of Cape Lookout.
There are north winds predicted for this week. The bait usually stacks up at the Dead Tree Hole and Barden’s Ledge with a north wind, so the kings should be there gnawing.
The Naeco has been producing grouper, grunts, and snapper. This is good news for the lead bouncers to get out around 100 to 125 feet and catch some of these bottom dwellers.
Dan, at Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the spot run is beginning. Both natural and artificial bloodworms are producing the most action for spot fishermen, with a few whiting mixed in.
Live finger mullet and shrimp are attracting the attention of flounder, with some weighing as much as 5 lbs.
Nice-sized bluefish (averaging 2-3 lbs.) are biting plugs.
The water temperature at the pier is 72 degrees.
