Swansboro October 25, 2007
Jeff, of FishN4Life Charters, reports that spanish and king mackerel continue to feed recklessly just off the inlets and at nearshore structure. Many boats are boating limits of the kings while trolling the inlet tide lines, Station Rock, Keypost Rock, 45 Minute Rock, East Rock, Bear Rock, and just outside the surf zones when the wind turns N or NW. Most of the kings are 10-20+ lbs., with a few over 30 mixed in. Live baits are the top choice for the kings.
The spanish (most 1-4 lbs.) are feeding around the inlets, surf, and nearshore live bottoms, and they’ll fall for smaller live baits, trolled spoons and plugs, or metal lures that anglers can cast to breaking schools of fish.
Summer flounder fishing at the nearshore live bottoms is as good as it’s been all year. The flatfish should continue feeding at the reefs and AR’s within 5 miles of the beach through mid-November. Anglers can target the flounder with Carolina-rigged live baits or by bouncing bucktails tipped with Gulp baits off the bottom.
Inshore, red drum and bluefish are providing the majority of the action for anglers, as the warm temperatures have kept the speckled trout up north longer than usual. Falling water temps should spur the trout fishing up in November.
The reds are scattered throughout the shallow bays behind the barrier islands and in White Oak River, Queen’s Creek, Bogue Sound, and the ICW. There should also be plenty of drum working the inlet shoals throughout October and November.
In the shallow bays, Gulp Alive baits fished on spinnerbaits and topwater plugs are the most effective drum lures. In deeper water, Carolina-rigged live baits and Gulp Alive Shrimp or Pogies fished on jigheads are the best bets.
Bluefish (from 0.5-5+ lbs.) will be feeding near the inlets and surf, and anglers can locate the schools by searching for diving birds.
Summer and southern flounder should be feeding in the backwaters for the rest of October and November. The flatfish will be holding in deeper holes as the cooling water temperatures chase them from the shallows. Inlets and nearby creeks should be hot spots, and anglers can hook up with the flatties on Gulp Alive baits or Carolina-rigged live baits.
Near the inlets, bottom fishermen will find whiting, spot, croaker, pigfish, and gray trout. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp should draw strikes from all these tasty fish, and anglers can also jig Stingsilvers or spec rigs for the trout.
Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that boats are limiting out on kings just off the beaches. The action has been hot from the bell buoy offshore to the A buoy, and live pogies are the top king producers. Most of the kings have been running 15-30 lbs. recently.
Wahoo are still feeding in the Gulf Stream, but anglers are having to work a bit harder to hook up with them than several weeks ago. Like the kings, the wahoo are mostly running 20-30 lbs. Anglers hunting for the wahoo will increase their odds by checking satellite charts for temperature breaks before heading offshore.
This year’s phenomenal sailfishing continues, and boats chasing the wahoo could likely tangle with a sail or two.
Yellowfin tuna should be making their fall appearance around local blue water hot spots very soon.
Stan, of Capt Stanman’s Fishing Charters, reports that king mackerel are feeding around traditional fall areas like the Keypost, Bear Rock, Dead Tree Hole, Rock Jetty, and Barden’s Ledge. Anglers are locating pogies for bait near Harker’s Island, Town Creek, and in the ocean.
Bottom fishing has been excellent 20-30 miles offshore of Bogue Inlet. Boats are loading their boxes with grunts, triggerfish, grouper, and snapper. The bottomfish will take a variety of baits, and dead mullet have been effective recently.
Dale, of the Reel Outdoors, reports that surf anglers are landing bluefish and pompano (some over 2 lbs.) along the island’s oceanfront. Fresh shrimp and sandfleas are the best baits for the pompano.
At the Bogue Inlet point and the north end of Bear Island, anglers are hooking good number of red drum from the beach on finger mullet and cut baits.
Plenty of small flounder are also feeding in Bogue Inlet and around Fort Macon. The flatfish are falling for Gulp baits and strip baits.
Sharks are also running the beaches, and anglers fishing for them are reporting some of the best action of the year, both in terms of size and numbers.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding well just outside the inlets and along the beachfront. Clarkspoons trolled near fish feeding on the surface or birds working the water will tempt the spanish to bite.
Inshore, red drum and flounder are feeding well in the sounds and marshes. Live shrimp and finger mullet are attracting attention from both species, and anglers are also hooking up with the reds on topwaters.
Some speckled trout are beginning to make a showing in the sounds, but successful trout anglers have been tight-lipped as to where and what they are biting.
Rhonda, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing spot and pompano. The spot have been running well, and natural and artificial bloodworms are their favorite baits.
The pompano are mostly falling for shrimp.
Anglers fishing live baits on the bottom are catching a few flounder.
Plug casters are hooking up with spanish mackerel on Gotcha plugs.
Several kings were caught last week, mostly on live bluefish.
