Swansboro – May 8, 2014
Bryanna Parker, of Emerald Isle, with an Atlantic bonito she hooked on a Zara Spook topwater plug while fishing a few miles off Bogue Inlet with Capt. Chesson O’Briant of CXC Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the topwater red drum action around Swansboro has been excellent lately, with big numbers of slot reds taking an interest in the surface lures. Most are falling for smaller plugs right now like the Rapala Skitterwalk Jr. and MirrOlure Top Pup. The best action has been taking place in the marshes, particularly around oyster bars and points that the reds are using as ambush spots.
Bluefish have moved in the inshore waters, and anglers are getting some sight-casting opportunities at large chopper bluefish on the flats where they’re looking for the reds. Smaller blues are feeding in and around the inlets and creeks, and they’re eagerly biting a variety of baits and lures.
The flounder bite continues to improve in the creeks, where anglers are hooking keeper flatfish on live baits and Gulps. Smaller flounder are feeding near the inlets, and the inlet bite should get better over the coming weeks.
Out in the ocean, Atlantic bonito and a few false albacore are chasing bait around nearshore structure within a few miles of the inlets. Anglers can search for fish breaking water or working birds, and then cast flashy metal lures like diamond jigs towards the activity to hook up. The early morning hours generally offer the best odds of a bonito encounter.
Gulf Stream trollers are reporting that the gaffer dolphin bite has turned on, with the best action in 130-150’ of water last week. Some wahoo and blackfin tuna are feeding in the same areas, and skirted ballyhoo are fooling all the blue water predators.
Bethany Arnold, of Newport, NC, with a 5.71 lb. red drum she hooked on a Gulp shrimp in the Atlantic Beach surf. Weighed in at Chasin’ Tails Outdoors.
Grouper season has opened, but the shallow water gag bite hasn’t been great, according to reports. Anglers are connecting with solid numbers of red grouper and some large gags at spots in 110’+ water depth and out closer to the break. The grouper will bite a variety of live, dead, and cut baits, along with vertical jigs like Blue Water Candy Roscoes.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that there’s been some excellent Atlantic bonito action within a few miles of the beachfront lately. The fish are following schools of small baitfish and have been attacking the bait on the surface at a host of local spots.
Anglers can watch for the fish feeding on the surface or look for diving birds to spot the action from a distance, and then cast a variety of lures into the fray to hook up. Metal casting jigs like Stingilvers are popular choices, but anglers can also throw topwater lures like Zara Spooks with success.
Bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are mixed in with the bonito and falling for the same presentations.
Bottom fishing at structure in less than 65’ of water is producing action with black sea bass and some tautog.
The dolphin bite is getting underway out in the blue water, and local anglers reported some solid catches this past week.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that surf casters are connecting with some healthy sea mullet and pompano (many 1-2+ lbs.) from the sand at Emerald Isle. Cut shrimp are fooling both bottom feeders.
Some black drum and a few red drum are also feeding along the beachfront and biting shrimp.
Bluefish and the year’s first spanish mackerel have shown up just off the beaches. Anglers are hooking both on Gotcha plugs from the pier and while trolling Clarkspoons in boats.
Black sea bass are feeding at bottom structure in 50’ of water and deeper, and anglers are tempting them to bite bottom rigs, bucktails, and smaller vertical jigs.
Flounder should be showing up in the same areas soon if not already, and anglers can target the oceanic flatfish with 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream are reporting solid action with gaffer dolphin, wahoo, and blackfin tuna. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are fooling all the offshore pelagics.
Inshore, anglers are still reporting some solid red drum action and a few speckled trout in the marshes.
Flounder are growing more active, and they’re biting live mud minnows and Gulp baits in the creeks and marshes as well.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been hooking good numbers of black drum (to 5+ lbs.) and some puppy drum while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Pompano are in the mix as well and taking an interest in shrimp, along with gray trout, sea mullet, croaker, and other bottom feeders.
There’s been a steady bluefish bite for anglers working Gotcha plugs in the evening hours, and the pier has seen the first spanish mackerel of the year as well.
