Swansboro September 29, 2011
Greg Gibson, of Hampstead, NC, with a 36" red drum that attacked a topwater plug on a flat near Surf City while he was fishing with Richard Sear.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite is starting to turn on in the area with the recent cooler weather. The best trout action has been in the deeper channels near the inlets, but a few are coming from the rivers and creeks as well (with most fish 1-3 lbs.). Live and soft plastic shrimp are producing most of the trout action.
Flounder fishing remains solid at deeper structure near the inlet and in the ICW, and anglers are connecting with good numbers of keeper flatfish in the shallow bays of area marshes. Live mud minnows or finger mullet and scented soft plastics like Gulps will both tempt bites from the flounder.
Black drum are feeding inshore around creekmouths and deep marsh banks at lower tides and at oyster rocks in the marshes on flood tides. Fresh shrimp are the way to go for the striped drum.
There are still scattered red drum inshore in the marshes, where Gulp baits will tempt them to bite. The cool weather pushed a lot of the area’s reds from inshore to the surf zone, and big numbers are feeding in the breakers now. Anglers can target them from boats on calmer days and cast from the beaches when it’s rough. The surf reds will bite a wide variety of baits and lures.
Sheepshead are on the move out of the inshore waters, and now is an excellent time to target them around jetties and other structure in and near the inlets. Live fiddler crabs are the go-to baits for the sheeps.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that schools of false albacore are feeding outside Bogue Inlet (with plenty of small fish and some to 8-10 lbs.), where anglers can hook them by casting small metal jigs at schools feeding on the surface.
Big numbers of large sharks are feeding within a few miles of Bogue Inlet (including blacktips, spinners, bulls, lemons, and more). Drifting and chumming with large cut baits is the best way to tempt bites from the apex predators.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet and pompano off the beach at Emerald Isle. Shrimp and bloodworms will get attention from both.
Spot are also in the mix in the surf, but anglers are catching better numbers of larger fish around the bridge in Bogue Sound. Bloodworms are tough to beat for the tasty little spot.
Some red drum are feeding in the surf, where cut baits, finger mullet, and other offerings will tempt them to bite.
A few speckled trout have been rewarding surf casters lately as well. MirrOlures and soft plastic baits will get attention from the specks.
The speckled trout and red drum are also feeding inshore, where soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live baits will get their attention.
Offshore, the wahoo bite is still excellent in the Gulf Stream when anglers can get out there. Some blackfin tuna are mixed in, and both are falling for skirted ballyhoo.
Paul Morrell, of Troy, MI, with a pair of bluefish that bit finger mullet while he was early-morning surf fishing at Emerald Isle.
Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some pompano and spot on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some speckled trout (1-3 lbs.) are biting live baits.
Plug casters are hooking some bluefish on Gotchas.
