Swansboro August 25, 2005
Jeff, at FishN4Life Charters, reports that the masses of mullet minnows have moved north of the area, but small schools of a dozen or two can be found around the mouth of the White Oak River, as well as in the marsh systems between the ICW and the ocean. There are plenty of 3 to 4″ threadfin herring around the Swansboro bridges and small menhaden in the feeder creeks off Bogue Sound, Queens Creek, and White Oak River. And there’s plenty of larger shad (7 to 10″) around Swansboro in the ICW on the rising tide.
A mix of southern and summer flounder are biting well along ICW structure and docks on both the rising and falling tide. On a rising tide target the section of the piers closest to shore and on the falling tide concentrate on pier ends. The summer flounder along the AR’s and live bottoms within several miles of the beaches are running small this week, with most fish from 13 to 15″. Any live bottom, hard bottom, or structure within several miles of the beach will hold flounders in good enough numbers.
There are still some nice sized (3 to 6 lb.) spanish mackerel along the inshore live bottoms and AR’s.
There are 18 to 24″ red drum all over the marsh systems, ICW, and around the oyster beds in the river and sound.
There are still plenty of 20 to 30″ ladyfish working around the shoals at the inlet and river mouths, as well as West Channel on the rising tide. Live bait fished under a float cork will work, but they are more fun on topwater baits.
The king bite has disappeared this week with just a few undersize fish coming in. Look for the bite to pick back up after this full moon phase passes.
There are just a few black drum being caught around the bridges and up White Oak River and Queens Creek around the oyster beds. The best bait will be live shrimp or fresh dead shrimp fished on a float cork rig or on a light modified Carolina rig. They’ll also jump on a small jighead tipped with shrimp.
Stanman, of Captain Stanman’s Fishing Charters, reports that the water is hot-86 degrees out of Bogue Inlet and 90 degrees in the ICW. The wahoo made for a little excitement for the nearshore fishermen, but offshore is where the action is. A good bite was reported at the Big Rock and plenty of gaffer dolphin at the 90 Foot Drop.
Many of the king fishermen have slowed their activities due to the heat, hot water, and the inconsistency of the king bite.
The flounder are stacked up on the nearshore reefs (AR342, Keypost, AR345, etc.). They are eating mullet minnows, which are plentiful along the beaches of the ICW and in the small back channels.
The billfish bite has moved to the north. They were being caught in great numbers at the Rockpile off Hatteras. There are still a few around the Big Rock, but the biggest concentrations moved to Hatteras.
Menhaden are spotty in our area. One day you can walk across the water on them, and a few days later they are gone. Harkers Island is still holding some, but it is not as easy to catch them as it was a few weeks ago.
Rhonda, at Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the heat has slowed down the fishing. They’ve been picking up some spanish, a few mullet, and a few flounder. Everything is better in the morning, with the bite slowing as the temperature rises.
