Swansboro June 16, 2011
Jack Shultz with a 5 lb., 4 oz. citation flounder that attacked a 2 oz. Spro bucktail with a 4" Gulp shrimp trailer while he was fishing some nearshore structure off Bogue Inlet with Capt. Jeff Cronk of FishN4Life Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that that kings and some large spanish mackerel are feeding within 10 miles of the beach around structure and bait concentrations. Live baits are the way to go for the kings and the big spanish.
Smaller spaniards are chasing bait along the beachfront and around the inlet, where anglers can hook them while trolling Clarkspoons.
Dolphin have pushed in to the 10-15 mile range. Live baits or dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo should get their attention.
Flounder fishing has slowed a bit on the nearshore reefs, but it’s picking up inshore. Bucktails tipped with Gulp baits and live baits like small menhaden will attract attention from the flatfish inshore.
The red drum bite is on inshore. The fish are scattered in smaller groups; however, there are plenty around, so anglers working the bays and grass flats behind the barrier islands shouldn’t have too much trouble finding some fish. Topwater plugs have been producing plenty of action with the reds lately, but live baits and Gulps will produce action when they don’t want to bite on the surface.
Shrimp are stacked up in the area’s mainland creeks since there hasn’t been much rain lately and small menhaden are schooled up throughout the area, so anglers shouldn’t have much trouble finding some live baits.
Sheepshead are feeding around the bridges, deep docks, and other hard structure inshore, and live fiddler crabs on Carolina rigs will get their attention.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that bottom fishing around structure in the 80’ depth range lately has been producing plenty of action with some fat black sea bass. Gag grouper are feeding in the same areas. Anglers can target the bass with small metal jigs, bottom rigs, and bucktails, while live baits and larger bucktails are the way to go for the grouper.
Amberjacks are at higher relief structure in the same depth range and around the buoys off Bogue Inlet. Live baits, vertical jigs, and topwater plugs will all attract attention from the jacks when they’re in a feeding mood.
Large spanish mackerel are feeding at structure just off the beaches and on out to where anglers are bottom fishing. Small live baits are the ticket to bites from the spaniards.
The flounder bite is on around the reefs and ledges within a few miles of shore. Live baits or bucktails will get their attention.
Dolphin have pushed in to the 10-15 mile range, with some fish feeding around the buoys a bit closer to shore. They’ll take an interest in live or dead baits.
Helen Andrews, of Raleigh, NC, with a dolphin she hooked near the Big Rock while fishing with her brother Pete.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that king mackerel are finally starting to show up, and anglers found decent action around the SE Bottoms last week.
The kings and some dolphin have also been feeding around the Hutton and the 14 Buoy.
Live baits or dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo will produce strikes from the kings and ‘phins.
Large spanish mackerel have been showing up at nearshore structure off Bogue Inlet. Small live baits on scaled-down king rigs will attract attention from the large spaniards.
Some cobia have been in the same areas and will also take an interest in live baits.
Smaller spanish are feeding along the beaches and will pounce on trolled Clarkspoons or metal lures like Gotcha plugs.
Surf and pier bottom fishermen are picking up a mix of sea mullet, pompano, and other bottom feeders. Shrimp and sand fleas will tempt them to bite.
Inshore, the flounder and red drum bite has been decent lately. Both fish will fall for Gulps or small live baits.
Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are still catching a few big “Hatteras” bluefish (7-8 lbs.) on live baits and Gotcha plugs. Plenty of smaller blues and spanish mackerel are also falling for the Gotchas.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pilings, and anglers who know how to catch them are decking a few.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, pompano, and puppy drum while baiting up with shrimp and sand fleas.
