Topsail – July 23, 2015
Robert, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers have been finding plenty of spanish mackerel action around the inlets recently, and some larger fish have been feeding around nearshore reefs and other structure (including an 8 lb. spaniard weighed in this week). The smaller fish are falling for metal casting lures and trolled Clarkspoons, while live baits and dead cigar minnows are the way to go for the larger spanish.
Anglers are also connecting with king mackerel from the nearshore reefs out to spots well offshore. Most of the kings are falling for live baits and dead cigar minnows.
Dolphin have been mixed in with the kings starting in the 10-12 mile range. They’ll bite the same baits as the kings or rigged ballyhoo.
Surf and pier bottom fishermen have been hooking some sea mullet and black drum on shrimp. A few reds have been mixed in.
Inshore, there’s been some solid flounder action around the inlets and inshore structure like docks. The flatfish will bite live baits or scented soft lures like Gulps.
Red drum are hanging out in many of the same areas as well as prowling the local shallow flats and bays. The reds will bite the same baits as the flatfish or topwater plugs, gold spoons, and a host of other artificials.
Sheepshead are looking for meals around the ocean piers and bridge and dock pilings inshore. Anglers can fool the sheeps with fiddler crabs or sand fleas dangled tight to the structure.
Brandon Young with a blackfin tuna that bit a live cigar minnow he was slow-trolling around a ledge in 105′ of water off New River Inlet.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that there’s still excellent red drum action in the bays and marshes along the ICW and New River. The fish are responding well to topwater plugs on many days, and anglers are also hooking them on Flats Intruder spoons and Salty Bay soft plastics.
A few speckled trout and flounder are feeding in the same areas and biting the same offerings.
Taylor Blizzard, of Beaulaville, NC, with a 4 lb. speckled trout that struck a live finger mullet in the ICW near Sneads Ferry.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that there are still good numbers of black drum feeding around inshore structure like docks and bridge pilings. They’ll take an interest in fresh shrimp fished on the bottom.
Red drum are looking for meals along shallow grass banks and oyster bars in the local marshes. They’ll bite artificial lures at times, but live and cut baits are the most consistent producers.
The flounder bite remains good near boat docks and other structure, with the best action in deeper water at present. The area’s finger mullet are large enough to use for bait and plentiful now, and they’ve been the best bets for the flatfish.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking some sea mullet, small croaker, and baby sharks while bottom fishing from the pier with shrimp. Decent numbers of black drum are also falling for the bottom rigs and live shrimp anglers are fishing near the pilings.
Some over-slot red drum (30-34”) are biting cut and live baits at night.
Live-baiters fishing the end of the pier are connecting with some large (5-6 lbs.) spanish mackerel.
The smaller spanish and bluefish have been a bit scarce recently.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that spot and sea mullet are biting bottom rigs in the nighttime hours.
Anglers are picking up a few black drum while bottom fishing with shrimp during the days.
An occasional keeper flounder is falling for live baits fished on the bottom.
Plug casters are hooking a few spanish mackerel and bluefish.
April, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that there’s been a decent spanish mackerel and bluefish bite in the morning and late afternoon hours recently. Anglers working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs are fooling most of the fish.
Bottom fishermen have been bringing some flounder over the rails while fishing with live baits.
A few puppy drum and black drum are falling for cut baits and shrimp.
