Topsail August 11, 2005
Lynn Hinnant, of Fishinnant Charters, reports that there have been quite a few spanish and blues at both Topsail Inlet and New River Inlet. Most of the kings and dolphin have been in the 15-25 mile range. They seem to be hitting dead and live bait equally right now. The dolphin have been ranging from 2-25 lbs., with the average being 8-12 lbs. The kings have been 7-30 lbs., with the average around 12-15 lbs. Early in the morning has been by far the best, with the bite tapering off by 11:00. However, the larger fish have come in the afternoon.
The artificial reefs, especially AR 355, have been holding a lot of bait. The amberjacks and barracuda are thick around these right now.
Bottom fishing has been slower than usual; however, there are some good catches of silver snapper in the 4-6 lb. range.
Frank, at Seaview Pier, reports two tarpon hookups this week but none landed. A 6 lb. king was caught, as well as plenty of 3 to 5 lb. spanish mackerel.
Plenty of sheepshead are around the pier, with some in the 6 to 7 lb. class, but no one is really fishing for them. Other catches have been spots, sea mullet, bluefish, and flounder.
Ed, at Surf City Pier, reports that the summertime has slowed down the action, but there were some nice fish caught over the weekend including a 4.75 lb. speckled trout, a 5 lb. flounder, and a 10 lb. sheepshead. The flounder and sheepshead are on the pier, but not many anglers have been targeting them.
No kings or spots recently, but they have been spotting tarpon off the end.
The spanish bite has been very isolated, with the few catches coming from grass shad on the king rigs.
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that the surf from New River Inlet to Surf City has seen some catches of big sea mullets on sand fleas. Surf City to Topsail Beach also has plenty of big sea mullets, and they’ve done well on spots. From Topsail Beach to New Topsail Inlet, there’s been reports of a few pompano and some big reds, and Lee Island continues to have lots of reds.
The inshore fishing continues to be slow.
Just off the beach you can expect to find plenty of small kings, with a few bigger ones mixed in. The two regular bites have been 7-11 and AR-355.
Ricky Kellum, at Speckled Specialists Charters, reports good fishing everywhere this week. The trout are still coming from inside the New River, but the nearshore fishing is on fire for flounder and light lining for kings and spanish.
Eric, at New River Marina, reports that the nearshore flounder have picked up. In addition, there’s constant king and spanish mackerel action.
Inside, the flounder, speckled trout, and sheepshead are all biting, but not nearly as aggressively as the 20 to 30 inch red drum that are hitting everything.
