Topsail July 14, 2011
Krystin Moore with a fat red grouper that bit a live bait in 130' of water 50 miles off New River Inlet while she was fishing with her uncle, Henry Moore, on the "Bobcat."
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that sheepshead and black drum are feeding around bridge and dock pilings and other hard structure inshore, and they’ll take an interest in live fiddler crabs or shrimp.
There’s been a decent flounder bite along the ICW docks in the area (with a good number of fish to 5-6 lbs. this week). Live baits and Gulps are top choices for the flatfish.
A school of slot-size red drum has been feeding near New River Inlet, and like the flounder, live baits and Gulps will tempt bites from them. Topwater plugs and other lures can also prove effective.
Red drum are also feeding in the surf at south Topsail and the north end of Lea Island, where finger mullet, cut baits, and gold spoons will attract their attention.
The pompano bite has been good at the south end as well (with some citation 2+ lb. fish in the mix). Plenty of sea mullet (though most on the small side) are mixed in, and both will take an interest in shrimp or sand flea baits.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding just outside the inlets and along the beach, and trolling Clarkspoons or casting Gotcha plugs or other metal lures will tempt bites from both.
There have been a decent number of sailfish feeding in the 20 mile range, along with some dolphin (most bailers). Some larger dolphin and more sails are feeding 30+ miles from the inlet. Ballyhoo and cigar minnows or live baits like menhaden will fool the dolphin and sailfish.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that that the red drum bite is still excellent inshore near Figure Eight Island. The fish are feeding around structure and along grassy shorelines, and live and cut menhaden are tough for them to turn down.
Flounder are feeding around the dock and bridge pilings off the ICW and near the inlet. Live finger mullet and menhaden (both have been plentiful lately) will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Anglers are catching a few speckled trout around Topsail Inlet. Live shrimp are top choices for the trout, but they’ll also take an interest in other live baits and soft plastics, as well as suspending hard lures.
Ray McNeely, of Topsail Island, with a 31 lb. king mackerel that fell for a live bluefish on a king rig off the end of Jolly Roger Pier.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that flounder are feeding around heavy structure in the ICW and nearby waters. Live finger mullet are attracting attention from the flatfish.
Good numbers of upper and over-slot red drum are looking for meals under docks and in the shallows between Topsail and Figure Eight. They’re taking an interest in live finger mullet and menhaden (with menhaden producing the larger fish).
Some large (9+ lb.) bluefish are mixed in with the reds and striking the live baits with some regularity.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that plug casters are picking up a few bluefish from the pier.
Sheepshead are feeding near the pilings and taking an interest in barnacle and sand flea baits.
A few sea mullet are biting bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Anglers are also hooking a few speckled trout on live shrimp in the early mornings.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that some puppy drum, speckled trout, and smaller bottomfish are biting shrimp pinned to two-hook bottom rigs.
Flounder are taking an interest in small live baits fished under the pier.
Live baiters caught three tarpon from the end of the pier last week.
Austin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that some flounder and red drum are falling for live finger mullet beneath the pier.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pilings and taking an interest in sand fleas.
Some pompano are also biting sand fleas and shrimp on bottom rigs.
Live-baiters have hooked several tarpon from the end of the pier over the past week.
