Swansboro July 13, 2006
Jeff, at FishN4Life Charters, reports that there is plenty of bait around the Swansboro/ Bogue Sound area. The summer run of finger mullet have begun to show around the mouth of the rivers and creeks, as well as around the ICW on the lower tide.
There are a lot of small shad around the mouths of the feeder creeks on the mainland side of the sound and in the river. Many of the brown shrimp have moved into the ocean as a result of all the rainfall we’ve had in our area over the past few weeks. There are still some larger brown shrimp in the creeks as well as a good batch of small white shrimp.
The fishing has picked up tremendously on the internal waters around Swansboro with great numbers of redfish and flounder. There are many small schools of redfish scattered all over the marsh systems, the river, and Queens Creek. These reds are working the schools of mullet and shrimp and can often be located by looking for schools of finger mullet showering along the shorelines.
The summer flounder bite has been good around Bogue Inlet, Bear Inlet, and Brown’s Inlet, while the southern flounder bite along the ICW and in the river is producing many small fish.
There are still reports of speckled trout scattered throughout the area, especially on live shrimp.
The sheepshead bite has slowed a little this week and should pick back up as the green water comes back in on this full moon cycle. There are some reports of big ladyfish around the shoals of the inlets along with lots of small bluefish.
In the ocean the summer flounder bite continues to be consistent. Although there are some citation size fish, most of the flounder are ranging from 1 to 4 lbs. on a daily basis.
The king bite along the beaches and nearshore live bottoms and AR’s has picked up lately. The spanish mackerel have been biting well in 30 to 40’ of water along the beaches, with better success pulling small clark spoons and spanish tree rigs.
There are a lot of spadefish along the nearshore live bottoms and AR’s as well. They will gladly eat live shrimp, strips of fresh clams or mussels, the skirt of the ball jellyfish, and fiddler crabs. Anchoring over the structure these fish are holding on while hanging chum below the boat will be the best bet for getting these fish to bite.
Stan, at Capt. Stanman Fishing Charters, reports that the cold front with the north winds shuffled the bait around and the fish too. As the winds turn to the south and southwest, the bait will return to the Alphabet buoys and so will the predators.
Kings and dolphin should be showing up at the usual places. Start around the rock south of 13 Buoy and work your way in. There could be some good dolphin action in this area, as well as at Jerry’s Reef.
Start your jigging activities at the E and D Buoy. If there is bait there, then fish there.
It’s getting time for the sails to show. They love live sardines and a blue and white Cape Lookout Screamer skirt.
Molly, at Bogue Inlet Pier, reports an intermittent bottom bite including spots, small whiting, and pompano. The usual shrimp and bloodworms are the best baits for bottom action.
Live baiting at the end of the pier is finally producing some king mackerel, and an 18 lb. king was weighed this week. Bluefish up to 7.5 lbs. are also eating the live baits.
