Added on Thursday, May 8, 2008  Gary Hurley

Swansboro May 8, 2008

Jeff, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that local inshore fishing is heating up for the summer, and anglers are already seeing water temperatures as high as 75 degrees in some backwater areas on the right tides. Bait is also getting thick in the area, with menhaden showing up in the ICW (and smaller “peanut pogies” in the creeks), tiger-side minnows along the sandbars near the inlets, and plenty of fiddler crabs around the marshes.

Most of the area’s red drum have moved from the inlet shoals where they spent the winter and spring into schools of 50 or less fish patrolling the backwaters. Most of the fish lately have been in the 23-34″ class, and anglers are hooking up with them while casting Gulp baits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, and live baits under popping corks.

Bluefish (some monsters up to 10 lbs.), whiting, spots, hogfish, and gray trout are feeding in the channels throughout the backwaters. Spec rigs tipped with shrimp should attract attention from most of the bottom feeders.

Summer flounder have begun moving into the inlets. Anglers can expect success with the flounder while drifting the inlets and connecting channels with small bucktails, jigs, and Carolina rigs. While there’s plenty of bait around, anglers are also succeeding with the flatfish while substituting Gulp pogies, swimming minnows, and shrimp for live baits.

Sheepshead have also begun moving into the backwaters, where they can be found feeding around docks, bridges, oyster rocks, and other structure. They have a tough time resisting a fiddler crab fished near the structure.

 

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some larger red drum cruising the marshes and backwaters. Most are in the 18-32″ range currently, and the warmer temperatures have them feeding actively nearly every day. Topwater plugs and spinnerbaits should attract plenty of attention from the reds.

Plenty of smaller speckled trout and reds are feeding in Queen’s Creek and the White Oak River between Stella and the 24 Bridge. The grass flats are holding most of the fish.

Flounder that spent the winter in the backwaters are moving from Queen’s Creek and the White Oak to deeper holes in the marshes and sound. Smaller, sub-legal flounder are also moving into the inlet from the ocean. A Carolina-rigged live minnow or small jig should attract attention from the flatfish, and the larger keeper summer flounder should be moving in from the ocean over the next few weeks.

Bigger flounder are feeding at live bottoms and other structure 5-8 miles offshore. Gulp baits fished on bucktails and live baits will score results with the larger ocean flounder.

The best action should be around structure where water temperatures are at least 66 degrees, and anglers will also find some small kings, Atlantic bonito, and false albacore feeding around the same areas. Trolling Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers should attract some attention from the pelagics.

Whiting, small spots, lots of bluefish, and a few gray trout are feeding in the ICW around the Swansboro and Cedar Point waterfronts.

More bluefish are chasing bait in the inlets, as well as the deeper creeks and channels. Quite a few are choppers in the 8-10+ lb. class. Anglers can locate the schools by casting finger mullet on split shot or Carolina rigs, then fish live baits, Gulps, topwaters, or diving plugs to keep hooking up.

 

Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that blue water action has been excellent around the Swansboro Hole recently. Gaffer dolphin are making up much of the catch, and boats are also landing some wahoo (many 40+ lbs.). There are still a few yellowfin tuna around, but the majority seem to have moved on, although the blackfins are still feeding consistently. Decent numbers of sailfish should also be showing up in the Stream soon. Anglers headed for the blue water should check out satellite sea surface temperature images in order to find the temperature breaks that will be holding the bait and predators.

Some big Hatteras bluefish have been feeding around the area recently, and good catches of 10-15 lb. blues are coming from the Hutton. Trolling Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow Magnum plugs will draw plenty of bites from the blues.

Kings (up to 10-15 lbs.) are starting to school up around AR 345, the Hutton, and the rocks south of 13. Yo-Zuri Deep Divers trolled near the structure should interest the kings.

Pogies have shown up in the inlet, so it shouldn’t be long until kings are feeding along the beaches.

The nearshore reefs are starting to hold good numbers of flounder, and a bucktail tipped with a Gulp bait will entice them to bite.

 

Stan, of Capt. Stanman’s Fishing Charters, reports that Gulf Stream trolling has been pretty good lately, with boats landing plenty of dolphin in the 20-40 lb. class. Wahoo have been mixed in as well, but there have been very few yellowfin tuna.

Bottom fishing has been solid lately as well, with boats hooking plenty of red grouper 38-40 miles offshore on cigar minnows.

Spanish mackerel should be running the beaches in full force over the next few weeks, and they’ll fall for trolled Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers.

Atlantic bonito should continue to push north, feeding at the Keypost and AR 342. Deep Divers, gold Clarkspoons, and bucktails will get their attention.

 

Bob, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf anglers are landing lots of bluefish, some whiting, an occasional pompano, and a few red drum. Shrimp and sand fleas seem to be the choice baits.

Gray trout are feeding in the deeper channels inshore.

Spanish mackerel will be running the beaches very soon.

In the Gulf Stream, the dolphin have shown up, and boats are also landing a few wahoo.

 

Rhonda, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are catching lots of bluefish on Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs. Plug casters are also seeing a few spanish mackerel in the mornings. Larger Hatteras blues (some to 12 lbs.) are falling for cut baits at night.

Whiting are also feeding at night, with most falling for cut shrimp. A few puppy drum and pompano are hitting shrimp in the daytime.