Topsail October 9, 2008
Tommy Berry with a 45.02 lb. king mackerel that fell for a live pogy while fishing three miles off Topsail Beach.
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that boaters are hooking big numbers of king mackerel within a few miles of the beaches (including a 45 lb. fish weighed last weekend). Some large spanish mackerel are mixed in with the kings, and they’re falling for both live and dead baits.
Big gray trout (some 6-7 lbs.) are feeding nearshore, too, and anglers are hooking them while vertically working diamond jigs and Stingsilvers just off the sea buoy and the checkerboard tower.
Plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding along the beaches, and anglers are also encountering them in the ICW.
Inshore anglers are finding action with flounder and some slot red drum in the sound and off the waterway. They’ll take an interest in Gulp and live baits.
The speckled trout bite is getting fired up in the New River.
Black drum, whiting, spot, and other fish are feeding in the surf, and fresh shrimp are producing action with all of them.
Parker Kerley (age 8), from Cary, with his first king mackerel--a 20 lb. fish that fell for a live bait fished off the end of Surf City Pier.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that there’s been fast action with gray trout, spanish mackerel, and kings at the rocks and structure just off the beaches in 30-40′ of water. All the fish are falling for diamond jigs and Stingsilvers worked over the structure.
Grouper fishing has been excellent in the 20-30 mile range, where boats are finding good numbers of reds and a few gags. Cigar minnows and spanish sardines are excellent baits.
Spanish and bluefish are feeding in the inlet, where free-lined finger mullet are getting their attention.
Speckled trout and red drum are feeding in the creeks and around structure in the New River and off the ICW. Live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs, and other lures will produce action with the specks and reds.
Flounder are feeding in the inlet and around the 172 Bridge, and Carolina-rigged finger mullet should prove too much for them to resist.
Sheepshead and black drum are holding near the bridge as well. A bottom rig baited with shrimp will produce action with both fish.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that red drum are feeding in the New River and in the surf just off the inlets. Topwater plugs and Gulp baits will get their attention.
Speckled trout fishing has been solid lately (and some fish up to 5 lbs. are showing up) in the inlet, the New River from Sneads Ferry to Jacksonville, and the local creeks as well. Live shrimp, artificial shrimp, and topwater plugs are all producing results on the specks.
Gray trout are feeding just off the inlet, with good catches coming from around the sea buoy. Spanish mackerel are feeding in the same area, and working birds should point anglers to the schools of spanish. Stingsilvers and other metal jigs are drawing bites from the trout and spanish.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling victim to anglers working diamond jigs.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with black drum and pompano near the surf line. Fresh shrimp are attracting their attention.
Live baiters landed several kings last week (with the largest weighing just over 20 lbs.).
Earl, of Seaview Pier, reports that whiting, black drum, and a few spot are striking bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Diamond jigs and gold hook rigs are producing fast action with bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Jan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are catching some spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha plugs, although the spanish have been hit and miss.
Anglers soaking live baits on the bottom are catching some flounder, and black drum are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Live baiters had several king strikes last week, landing one.
