Added on Thursday, September 17, 2009  Fish Post

Swansboro September 17, 2009

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that spanish mackerel, bluefish, and false albacore are tearing up bait on the surface just outside Bogue Inlet. Lures that imitate glass minnows, like Trout Killers on jigheads, are producing the best results on all three, and anglers should cast to the edges of the breaking schools to hook up.

Slightly farther off, the big breeder spanish mackerel (4+ lbs.) and kings are feeding on top as well. These more wary fish are more likely to fall for a live bait fished on a light wire leader.

Amberjacks and cobia are still holding around the artificial reefs and other structure within sight of land, and both will fall for live baits and give anglers tackle-testing battles.

Inshore, speckled trout and black drum are feeding in the deeper marsh channels, and live shrimp fished under floats or on jigheads will tempt bites from both fish.

The trout bite has also been solid along the ICW, and anglers are catching the specks on live shrimp or D.O.A. and Billy Bay artificials.

Sheepshead are moving towards the inlets, and anglers have been hooking them in the Coast Guard channel and around deeper marsh cuts and oyster rocks closer to the inlets. Fiddler crabs or live shrimp should tempt the sheepshead to bite.

Red drum are still feeding in the backwaters, with good action around marsh points, oyster rocks, and on the flats. Live baits (like finger mullet and shrimp) or Gulps will fool the reds in the backwaters.

 

Chesson, of CXC Charters, reports that the red drum bite is solid in the marshes, and anglers have been catching decent numbers around oyster rocks in the marshes on topwater plugs.

Offshore, big numbers of spanish mackerel and small false albacore are feeding just off the inlet, and small live baits will appeal to them.

Larger spanish are feeding a bit further off the beaches, but they’ve been finicky and skittish lately. A small live bait on light tackle and a light leader offers anglers the best odds at tricking the spanish into biting.

Amberjacks are holding on the artificial reefs within 10 miles of land. Anglers can hook up with the jacks on live baits, but topwater plugs seem to be almost as effective when they’re milling around the surface. Anglers also landed several on fly tackle last week as well, offering an even more challenging way to land these brawlers.

 

Dale, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that red drum are still feeding in the marshes, and anglers are hooking them on topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, Gulps, and other lures.

The reds are also running the surf in search of meals, and cut mullet will attract their attention in the breakers. Silver and gold spoons will also tempt the reds to bite.

False albacore are schooled up and feeding heavily just off the inlets, and anglers are hooking them while tossing Kastmasters to the surfacing schools.

The spanish mackerel bite is strong on the beach, and surf anglers are getting in on the action while casting silver and gold spoons.

The piers have seen a few decent spot runs over the past week, and most successful anglers are using bloodworms for them.

The flounder bite is still excellent on the nearshore reefs. Most anglers are hooking them while bouncing 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulps off the bottom.

Flounder fishing’s also been excellent inshore, but most of the fish are undersized. Gulp and Trigger-X baits are attracting the flounders’ attention in the backwaters.

 

Joanne, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that plug casters have been hooking decent numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish recently.

Bottom fishermen have caught some fat pompano (up to 2 lbs.) over the past week.