Added on Thursday, June 26, 2008  Gary Hurley

Swansboro June 26, 2008

Jeff, of Fish’N4Life Charters, reports that anglers are still finding large schools of red drum in the bays behind the barrier islands, around docks on the ICW, and in the surf just outside the inlet. Topwater plugs or Gulp Jerkshads and Pogies fished on light jigheads will tempt the reds to strike.

Plenty of black drum are feeding in the same areas as the reds. Live shrimp are top choices for them, and anglers can catch them in the bays and creeks near Queen’s Creek. The oyster rocks in Queen’s and the feeder creeks are producing a lot of drum and some speckled trout (15-20″). Better numbers of trout are feeding in the live fire range from Brown’s Inlet to Bear Inlet, but it is closed on most weekdays.

Ladyfish are feeding around the grass flats and oyster rocks, and they’ll fall for small topwaters or live finger mullet under popping corks. The ladies should be especially plentiful around well-lit bridges and docks at night.

Sheepshead are feeding around dock and bridge pilings and other structure. Larger sheeps (5-10+ lbs.) are feeding on shallow grassflats on incoming tides. A weightless live shrimp is the best bait for them, and anglers must be particularly careful not to spook them in the shallow water.

 

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that speckled trout are feeding in 6-10′ holes near the mouth of the White Oak River. Recent rains are flushing shrimp out of the river, and the trout are taking advantage. Live shrimp on float rigs will draw bites from them, and the action has been best on high incoming and falling tides.

Red drum are still feeding in the area’s bays and marshes. Topwater plugs are producing good results with the reds, but anglers fishing a live shrimp under a popping cork will get the most bites.

Sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings. As the water warms up, anglers will find the larger sheepshead feeding around the deepest pilings of the Emerald Isle Bridge and Swansboro Bridge. Crab baits will tempt them to strike, but anglers who fish live shrimp deep along the pilings may catch some black drum and speckled trout along with the sheeps.

Flounder fishing is still good around Bogue Inlet, and anglers are starting to see some larger fish. Live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows fished on split shot or Carolina rigs will draw strikes from the flatfish. July typically brings strong flounder fishing to the inlet and to the AR’s.

Large bluefish are also feeding near the inlet, and anglers are encountering plenty of smaller ones in the backwaters.

Spanish mackerel are still feeding along the beaches. Boats can either troll for them or cast Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs with success.

There are already some king mackerel feeding nearshore, and they should become more numerous and hungry when the pogies show up soon. Live baits are the best choices for the biggest kings, but anglers may troll Clarkspoons and Drone Spoons faster to locate feeding fish, then slow down and deploy the live ones.

 

Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports fast action around the alphabet buoys and AR’s off Bogue Inlet. Bait has been plentiful at the buoys, and anglers are jigging up greenies, cigar minnows, and sardines with sabiki rigs.

The B Buoy produced some nice kings last week, with most falling for cigar minnows.

Big barracudas have been hanging around the Charlie buoy, and a few small dolphin have been mixed in. Live baits will attract attention from both.

Amberjacks are schooled up at AR 345, and light-lined greenies have been too much for them to resist recently.

 

Stan, of Captain Stanman’s Charters, reports that fishing for gaffer dolphin and wahoo has been good around the Swansboro Hole and the Rise.

Some smaller dolphin are feeding around the 14 Buoy.

Bottom fishing has been excellent at structure in the 30 mile range off Bogue Inlet. Anglers fishing with live baits, like pogies, cigar minnows, or sardines, will find the best results with the groupers.

Small king mackerel are feeding at the Alphabet Buoys and the SE Bottoms. Anglers can jig up plenty of cigar minnows and sardines for bait at the buoys.

Pogies have finally shown up in the ICW and around Morehead.

 

Dale, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that there are a few kings and dolphin feeding at structure around 10 miles offshore.

AR 340 is producing some big amberjacks and plenty of sea bass.

The spanish bite is still happening along the beach, although it has slowed down a bit since last week.

Red drum are feeding on the flats and in bays inshore.

The flounder bite is improving.

 

Billy, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that plug casters are catching some spanish mackerel (some to 4 lbs.) and bluefish on Gotchas.

Bottom fishermen are hooking up with some spots and pompano, with whiting biting at night. Cut shrimp will attract attention from the bottom feeders.

Live baiters landed a 14 lb. king last week.

The water temperature is 77 degrees.