Swansboro/Emerald Isle – August 2021
Randy, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are picking up sea mullet while fishing fresh shrimp in the surf zone.
Croakers and scattered black drum are mixed in the counts, with both species staged in deeper holes between the sandbars. On clear water days, a few pompano are being caught as well.
Carolina-rigged fresh cut mullet is producing red drum.
Anglers rigged with casting spoons are catching spanish mackerel and bluefish as schools weave in and out of the outside sandbars.
Soundside anglers are catching scattered red drum throughout the marshes, and the deeper inshore holes around Cedar Point are producing pufferfish.
Benjamin, of Dudley’s Marina, reports that red drum have been the most consistent target. Most of the drum are holding in holes along the ICW and up into mainland rivers. A variety of Carolina-rigged cut baits, topwater plugs, and soft plastic shrimp are producing strikes.
Sheepshead action has been good around the area’s bridges and dock pilings.
Flounder are being caught in decent numbers both in the ICW and out on nearshore wrecks.
Spanish mackerel are being found from the inlets out to wrecks in the five mile range, and nearshore structure in the 10-35 mile range are holding amberjack and king mackerel.
Tate Ward, Lawson Roberts, and Finn Ward, from Chelsea, AL, with reds and a black drum caught on live shrimp and mullet off an oyster bar in the White Oak River. They were fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that hot summertime weather has inshore water temperatures near their peak highs, and the red drum are breaking out of their schools and scattering throughout the inshore marsh flats and nearby deeper holes in search of food and moving water. Anglers are also finding some good action around ICW docks and deeper channels near the inlet. Live mullet has been the top producing bait, and artificial Gulp baits also produce plenty of strikes.
Black drum and sheepshead are holding up against ICW docks and similar structure. Both fresh shrimp and crabs are producing most of the action.
Some speckled trout are feeding on live mullet and soft plastic paddle tails in the deeper inlet channels.
Right off the beach, nearshore anglers are finding some action on spanish mackerel and kings. The structured areas further out have been holding more bait and some of the larger schools of mackerel.
Johnathan, of On Point Charters, reports that fish are holding in their summertime patterns, and though weather conditions can change the bite day to day, anglers continue to find success in the same areas.
Target red drum on shallow flats with lightweight soft plastic shrimp imitation lures, topwater plugs, and Carolina-rigged cut baits (if there are windy conditions).
Scattered flounder will be mixed in the inshore action on baits fished on the bottom.
Black drum and sheepshead are a summer staple to the fishery and will hold tight to structure along the ICW.
Off the beach there are plenty of spanish mackerel being caught from the inlet out to three miles. Live baits have landed some of the bigger fish over the nearshore ARs.
King mackerel action is slowly moving to the beachfronts, with most action currently holding in the 10 mile range.
Dale, of Fish or Die Charters, reports that the inshore red drum bite has been very good. The reds are hitting Rapala Skitterwalks and similar topwater plugs in the early mornings. Gulp or Z-Man soft plastics rigged on jig heads or Falling Tide spinnerbaits are also great for working the middle and bottom of the water column. Carolina-rigged finger mullet and cut menhaden are best when fishing during the hottest parts of the day.
Sheepshead and black drum are staged up in good numbers around bridges and other deep-water structures. Mud crabs, fresh shrimp, and fiddlers on Carolina rigs are all getting strikes.
Flounder fishing remains strong for anglers casting Carolina-rigged finger mullet and mud minnows. Artificial Gulp and Z-Man soft plastics and bucktails also get action when working these deeper holes in the ICW.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that offshore trips are finding good billfish action and large bailer dolphin when pulling up on grass patties.
The 20+ mile range has been pretty active, with a mix of dolphin and scattered sailfish showing up in the spreads. Good water color and bait has been key for determining where to fish on recent trips. Dead bait setups and quicker trolling speeds (3-4 knots) are great for scouting areas for productivity.
The larger kings (20+ lbs.) are being caught in this range, too.
Inshore fishing for red drum has been very good despite the hot water temperatures. Topwater plugs have been producing action, but not nearly as often as live or cut baits.
Some speckled trout are mixed in the action for anglers up around the river.
Corey and Riley with a rainbow runner caught on a ballyhoo in 150′ of water out of Morehead City. They were fishing with Capt. Crockett Henderson of Liquid Fire Sportfishing.
Josh, of Liquid Fire Sportfishing, reports that the king mackerel and mahi action has been pushed offshore, so searching for cleaner water to start efforts has often been a further run. Live bait and slow trolling is still the preferred option in the summer months, but small, brined ballyhoo has also produced action.
Targeting grass lines and small upwellings that hold bait in the 100-140’ range has been the target location. This zone has also been holding plenty of barracuda, amberjack, and sharks.
If the bite slows on the troll, anglers are rigging up light tackle bottom rigs for great action with red porgies (pinkies), triggerfish, and vermilion snapper. Squid has been the most productive bait for dropping on the smaller (2-6’) ledges.
Teresa, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that fishing has been very good, even with the water temperatures around their seasonal peak.
Spanish mackerel fishing is excellent, with larger fish (up to 5.5 lbs.) being caught, and bottom fishing has been producing sea mullet, croakers, spot, and sheepshead.
A large tarpon (estimated 85 lbs.) was caught and released over the weekend. Anglers have been seeing tarpon around for weeks now, and it won’t be surprising to hear of more hookups.
