Topsail – March 26, 2015
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf casters are landing some sea mullet and a few red and black drum while soaking baits in Topsail Island’s surf. Most are falling for shrimp, and anglers can expect the surf action to improve as the water temperatures rise over the coming month.
Patrik Wood with a 19″ speckled trout that fell for a white Gulp jerk shad in a creek near Wrightsville Beach.
Inshore, anglers are finding some speckled trout and red drum in the local creeks and backwaters, but it can take some searching before they find hungry fish. Both are still rather lethargic in the cool water, so working baits slowly is key to success.
The last reports from the Gulf Stream indicated solid wahoo fishing, so there should be some action when anglers get days calm enough to run to the break. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are tough to beat for the ‘hoos.
The water temperatures are still on the low side for the annual arrival of Atlantic bonito, but anglers can expect the speedy nearshore predators to begin showing up when the water consistently hits the 60 degree mark. Divers Rock off New River Inlet and other nearshore structure in the area are some of the best places to look for the bonito.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that anglers are finally seeing signs of the arrival of spring in the waters around Sneads Ferry and the inshore action is picking up.
Speckled trout action has particularly improved with the warming weather (and anglers landed specks to 7 lbs. last week). The specks are feeding in creeks and bays off the New River and ICW where anglers have been hooking them on Salty Bay soft plastics, shrimp imitations, and MR17 MirrOlures in recent days.
Red drum are looking for meals in many of the same areas, although often in a bit shallower water than the specks. There are also some large schools of reds working through the bays in the area. The same Salty Bay soft baits along with weedless Flats Intruder spoons have been producing results on the reds.
Flounder gigging has been excellent recently, but the fish are still feeding lethargically as the water’s a bit cool. Hook-and-line anglers are connecting with a few, and the flatfish bite will only improve as the water continues to warm.
Mike, of No Excuses Charters, reports that anglers are seeing the red drum action in the area improve with every degree the water temperature climbs. Lower to mid-slot red drum are schooled up in the creeks and bays from New River to the Cape Fear region, and anglers are hooking solid numbers. It’s tough to beat a 3” Gulp shrimp rigged weedless for anglers pursuing the reds.
Speckled trout action has been decent at typical cool-water spots, with the best fishing up the local rivers. The specks will pounce on a variety of soft plastics and suspending hard baits.
Anglers are seeing solid action with keeper black sea bass around bottom structure in the 10 mile range and further. Some false albacore are beginning to show up in the same areas, and anglers should see the first Atlantic bonito of the year showing up as April wears on.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers have hooked a few sea mullet and pufferfish from the pier in recent weeks, and the action will likely get better after the water temperatures warm a few degrees. Plenty of skates and dogfish are keeping anglers busy in between the panfish.
Ed, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers have hooked some dogfish, stingrays, and skates, along with a few pufferfish over the past week. The pier officially opens on Friday, and anglers expect to see a few sea mullet when it does.
April, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are hooking plenty of sharks and skates, and a few croaker and pufferfish are joining in the action. Anglers can expect the pufferfish action to improve and the arrival of some sea mullet as the water temperatures climb in the coming weeks.
