Swansboro May 23, 2013
Jon Teague, of Mebane, NC, with a 10.69 lb. sheepshead that bit a fiddler crab near a Morehead City dock.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that there are plenty of red drum feeding in the area’s bays and marshes, but most are traveling alone or in small pods instead of large schools. The majority have also been on the lower end of the slot limit, but there are a few groups of upper and over-slot fish in the area as well.
A few of the reds are starting to take an interest in topwater plugs, but scented soft baits (like Gulps) and natural baits (like cut mullet or crab chunks) have been more effective lately. The topwater bite will improve as soon as the warming water makes the fish feed a bit more actively.
Black drum are feeding around oyster rocks in the marshes, where anglers can tempt them to bite crab chunks or fresh shrimp.
Sheepshead have shown up around the bridge pilings and other structure near Swansboro, but most are still on the small side. Dangling live fiddler crabs next to the pilings is the way to tempt the sheeps to bite.
Some speckled trout are looking for meals in Queens Creek, and anglers caught several around oyster rocks last week on Gulp jerkbaits.
Some flounder are chewing in the inlets and alongside the trout and reds, but most of the flatfish inshore are still on the small side.
The ocean flounder bite is turning on (and producing larger fish), though the majority of the fish are still at structure in the 60’ depths instead of right off the inlet. Working 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits is the best bet for connecting with the flatfish offshore.
Some large gray trout have been feeding alongside the flounder in the ocean, and anglers are hooking them all the way in to the inlet and ICW as well. Bucktails or jigging lures like Stingsilvers will tempt bites from the grays.
Cobia have shown up along the beachfront and around schools of menhaden within a few miles of land. Anglers can tempt the cobes to bite bucktail jigs with large soft plastic trailers or live baits like menhaden.
Further offshore, the dolphin bite remains excellent along the edge of the Gulf Stream, and some blue marlin are feeding in the same areas as well.
Chesson, of CXC Charters, reports that cobia have shown up in a big way off Bogue Inlet (with fish from undersized to 50+ lbs.). The fish are feeding around pods of menhaden and free-swimming between the beachfront and 30-40’ of water. Casting live baits on circle hooks or bucktails tipped with large soft plastics is the way to tempt bites from the cobes.
Jon Doyle, of Raleigh, with a quartet of cobia (the larger pair 44-45 lbs.) he hooked off Bogue Inlet on bucktails and live baits. He was fishing with Capt. Chesson O’Briant of CXC Charters.
Atlantic bonito, false albacore, and some large spanish mackerel are chasing bait in the same range as the cobia. All three of the nearshore speedsters will take an interest in diamond jigs or other small, flashy casting lures worked around surface activity and diving birds.
Large blacktip and spinner sharks are also looking for their meals nearshore and will pounce on live or cut baits.
Flounder are feeding around bottom structure in the 60’ range, where bucktails tipped with Gulp baits will get their attention.
Bottom fishermen are finding gag grouper a bit deeper at spots in the 80’ depths. Live, cut, and frozen baits will all tempt bites from the grouper.
Blue water trollers haven’t been left out of the action, as the dolphin bite is on fire at local spots like the Swansboro Hole and Rise. Anglers are also catching some blackfin tuna and wahoo while trolling ballyhoo in the blue water.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that cobia have shown up off Bogue Inlet, and anglers are hooking solid numbers around pods of menhaden within a few miles of the beaches. Live baits and bucktails are fooling most of the cobia.
Bluefish and some spanish mackerel have shown up along the beachfront. They are taking an interest in Clarkspoons trolled from boats and Gotcha plugs and other metal lures that anglers are casting from the pier.
Offshore, anglers are connecting with big catches of wahoo and dolphin while trolling at local blue water hotspots. Skirted ballyhoo are fooling the majority of both.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers bottom fishing with shrimp are hooking sea mullet, black drum, and some big (to 3+ lbs.) pompano.
Plug casters are hooking bluefish, and it shouldn’t be long until anglers see some spanish mackerel attacking their Gotcha plugs and other casting lures. The blues are also falling for cut baits and finger mullet on the bottom.
The water is 73 degrees, so the fishing should continue heating up along with the water.
