Added on Thursday, July 15, 2010  Fish Post

Swansboro July 15, 2010

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Fishing Charters, reports that with the heat of summer upon us, it’s a great time to fish early and late in the day in the marshes and nearshore. And fishing near the bridges and deeper docks in the area has been the most productive strategy in the heat of the day.

The nearshore spanish and king mackerel bite is still on at structure and around bait within a few miles of the beach. Anglers are hooking the large spanish (many 3-5+ lbs.) on live finger mullet and smaller pogies, and they’re hooking the kings on larger live pogies.

There are still decent numbers of flounder scattered around the nearshore structure, and they’ll fall for a Gulp-tipped bucktail or a Carolina-rigged live bait.

Many of the flounder have moved inshore, however, and the bite’s been excellent around the deeper docks in the area lately. Bucktails and live baits are producing around the docks as well.

The docks and bridges are still playing host to a solid sheepshead and black drum bite, and both fish will fall for live fiddler crabs or shrimp if anglers can get them past the pinfish and other undesirable species. On the higher tides, both fish are feeding around oyster rocks in the marshes, and anglers may find opportunities to sight-cast to them with the same baits.

The red drum are scattered throughout the area currently, as many of the fish that were hanging around the surf zone have moved inshore. A few schools are working the area’s marshes, but anglers will mostly find single fish and small pods right now. They’re feeding on the flats at higher tides and along the channels and sloughs when the water falls. Live baits and Gulps will tempt the reds to bite both places, and they’ve also been producing decent numbers of flounder along the channels.

Ladyfish have shown up in full force in the ICW, and anglers can target them around lit docks and along shoals at night. Live shrimp and finger mullet will fool the ladies, and anglers may also be able to tempt them to strike a variety of lures.

Chesson, of CXC Charters, reports that the big spanish mackerel are still feeding just off the beaches, and anglers are hooking them on small pogies on scaled-down king mackerel rigs. A few big kings are feeding along the beaches as well, but the scaled-down rigs won’t hold up to their teeth, so it pays for anglers to have some heavier gear and larger baits along as well.

The flounder bite has been solid at inshore docks and along the nearshore reefs lately, and live baits or bucktails will tempt bites from the flatties.

Amberjacks are schooled up on high-relief structure a bit further offshore and along the area’s buoy chains. They’ll take an interest in live baits or flashy and splashy lures like vertical jigs and topwater plugs.

The dolphin bite has been solid when anglers can find the fish. They’ve been a bit scattered lately (mostly 5-20 miles offshore), but once anglers locate them, they haven’t been hard to catch. Trolled ballyhoo and a variety of other baits will fool the ‘phins.

Jordan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that offshore anglers are hooking up with some healthy grouper while dropping cigar minnows and other baits at structure around 20 miles off the beaches.

Nearshore, the king and big spanish mackerel bite has been on for anglers slow-trolling with live baits.

Some flounder have been caught nearshore and inshore lately, but the bite hasn’t been on fire.

Red drum are working the area’s marshes, and the bite’s been particularly good in the White Oak River recently.

Surf anglers are hooking up with some spot, bluefish, and a mixed bag of other species.

Joanne, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers have been catching some spanish mackerel recently, with the majority of the action in the early mornings on Gotcha plugs.

Live-baiters caught a 54 lb. tarpon last week.

Bottom fishermen have been decking some spot lately on bloodworms and shrimp.