Topsail August 9, 2007
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that inshore anglers are hooking up with plenty of flounder and red drum while fishing the creeks and points in the sounds. Most of the fish are biting either live finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs or the new Gulp Alive baits.
Early in the mornings, trout are feeding in the surf zone along the island. Anglers can hook up with the trout by fishing live shrimp or, on calm mornings, topwater plugs.
Surf anglers are also landing big pompano and red drum. Shrimp and sand flea baits are producing the pompano, and the reds are falling for gold Hopkins Spoons in the daytime and cut baits at night.
Some large spanish mackerel have been feeding along the second sandbar off the beach, and boats are hooking them by trolling Clarkspoons and small live baits.
King mackerel fishing has been good at spots in the 5-10 mile range over the week, particularly around the Riverbed. Live pogies or cigar minnows should tempt strikes from the kings.
Dolphin action has slowed down somewhat, but boats are still hooking up with some around Cripple Rock. Sailfish are feeding in the same area, and rigged ballyhoo should fool both dolphin and sails.
Gag grouper have moved inshore for the summer, and anglers are landing them at spots just 8 miles from land. Some nice tautog are coming from the same areas. Red grouper are holding further offshore, around areas such as WR2. The grouper will strike a variety of live and dead baits or butterfly jigs.
Mike, of Sea View Pier, reports that anglers casting diamond jigs are landing bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Black drum and a few spots are hitting bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Speckled trout are feeding near the pier, and anglers are hooking up with them by fishing with live shrimp in the early mornings.
No kings were landed last week, but live baiters did hook several tarpon.
The water is around 80 degrees.
Charles, of Surf City Pier, reports that diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs are producing good numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Those fishing with small live baits early in the day are landing a few flounder.
At night, bottom fishermen are catching whiting on cut shrimp.
A 24 lb. king mackerel fell for a live bait fished off the end of the pier last week.
Jan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing a few spots and whiting while baiting up with shrimp.
Live baits are producing a decent number of flounder.
Plug casters are hooking up with bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Anglers fishing live baits from the end of the pier hooked several kings over the week.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports excellent speckled trout fishing continues in the New River. The fish are biting all over the river, but the Sneads Ferry area is an excellent place to begin looking for them. Most of the trout lately are in the 1.5-3 lb. class, with occasional bigger fish (weighing up to 5+ lbs.).
Early in the mornings some trout are chasing schools of mullet in the shallows and are ideal candidates for topwater plugs. Anglers can also hook up by casting Halo or Storm shrimp imitations or by fishing live shrimp under floats.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that speckled trout and red drum are still feeding well in creek mouths and structure in the ICW. The fish will fall for a variety of lures, but Carolina-rigged live shrimp and finger mullet are the top baits.
Flounder are also on the feed throughout the area, and the same live baits will draw plenty of attention from the flatfish.
The 172 Bridge is still holding plenty of sheepshead, although the black drum bite has slowed down. Fiddler crabs and shrimp should draw strikes from the sheepshead.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are providing plenty of action for boats trolling the inlet and along the beaches. Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers are excellent lures for both species.
Kings are also chasing bait on the beach and at a variety of offshore spots. Boats are finding some nice fish in the 20-30 lb. range on the beach. Live pogies will attract the most attention from the bigger kings.
Anglers looking for long battles with large fish nearshore should be able to hook up with big bull, tiger, blacktip, and spinner sharks along the beach and near the inlets.
Sailfish have been caught as close as three miles offshore, and sails are mixed in with other fish at spots between there and the Gulf Stream. Rigged ballyhoo or live baits should draw strikes from the sails.
Offshore, anglers are boating dolphin and a lot of wahoo while trolling rigged ballyhoo.
Gag grouper have moved inshore in good numbers, and boats are putting together decent catches just five miles offshore.
