Swansboro August 26, 2010
Mikki Hartzog with a 4 lb. ladyfish that fell for a Sebile Splasher topwater plug at a grassflat off the ICW near Swansboro while she was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the flounder fishing remains solid at nearshore structure in the ocean. Anglers can hook the flatfish on Gulp-tipped bucktails or live baits.
Large spanish mackerel are still feeding in the same areas (some to 5+ lbs.) and will fall for small live baits on scaled-down king rigs.
Some sailfish are also feeding nearshore and will take an interest in live baits.
Smaller spanish mackerel and plenty of bluefish are feeding in Bogue Inlet, especially on higher tides. Anglers can hook both while casting small metal lures to breaking schools of fish.
The flounder bite is also on inshore (where anglers landed a 6 lb. fish last week). The fish are feeding alongside red drum in the marshes, and most any bay in the area will be hosting some of both fish. Gulp shrimp and live finger mullet are fooling both the flounder and reds, especially around the grass and oyster points.
Some large black drum are feeding around the area’s bridges and will take an interest in live shrimp. The recent rains should also improve the sheepshead action around the bridges. Fiddler crabs are tops for the sheeps.
Ladyfish are chasing shrimp and other baits in the ICW, and fishing around lighted structure at night should produce plenty of action with them. Live baits are tough to beat, but the ladies will also take an interest in Gulp shrimp and topwater plugs.
Surf fishermen are finding plenty of action with flounder and red drum while casting live finger mullet and bucktails into the breakers.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that the dolphin action hasn’t completely died (as anglers landed ‘phins to 20 lbs. last week). Finding a school of fish has been the challenging part, and the best action last week came from fish that approached the boat while anglers were bottom fishing.
Bottom fishing has been producing plenty of action with sea bass, snappers, triggerfish, and more.
Amberjacks are schooled up on higher-relief structure in the area and will take an interest in live baits and topwater plugs.
The large spanish mackerel are still feeding around nearshore structure, and smaller live baits are the tickets to tempt bites from them.
Michael Herring with a lemon shark he hooked on bluefish in the Emerald Isle surf and landed after a 45 minute fight.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are still catching some large spanish mackerel nearshore, both from boats and the pier. Small live pogies are the keys to getting bites.
Some king mackerel are still in the mix nearshore.
Anglers also jumped several sailfish within a few miles of the beaches last week.
Dolphin have been reported from the Charlie Buoy, Station Rock, and the SE Bottoms areas lately.
Gulf Stream trollers hooked up with some wahoo and blackfin tuna last week.
Flounder are still feeding on the nearshore reefs and will fall for bucktails tipped with Gulp baits.
Inshore, the flounder and drum bite is on in the marshes, and anglers can hook both on soft plastics or live baits.
Jerry, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that the spanish mackerel bite was the big story last week (with excellent numbers of fish to 4 lbs. landed). Anglers were catching the spaniards on live baits, jigs, and Gotcha plugs. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in.
Bottom fishermen are picking up some whiting, pompano, and a few spot on shrimp.
