Topsail/Sneads Ferry – December 2024
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf anglers have been catching good numbers of sea mullet, with some citation-sized fish in the mix.
Anglers are also finding bluefish and black drum while fishing both in the surf and from local piers.
Inshore anglers are catching speckled trout and red drum. Both species are moving into their winter transition and are heading into the mainland creeks.
Off the beach, king mackerel have mostly pushed out deep (20-mile area).
Those looking to get offshore will do well bottom fishing into the winter months. The cooler water temperatures bring in the bigger class of black sea bass over shallower structures (in the 10+ mile range).
Trips to the Gulf Stream are producing some wahoo and blackfin tuna.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that speckled trout have moved into the mainland creeks, as these fish work their way towards their wintering areas.
Red drum have started their transitions into the larger wintertime schools. As the water temperatures cool down further, the area will see super clear water conditions, and these conditions make for some great sight casting action. A key to success with this style of fishing is to move very quietly while covering ground to find the schools. Between the water clarity and fishing pressure, these winter reds can be easily spooked.
Anglers can find some black drum and sheepshead all winter long, as these fish will stick around inshore docks and nearshore wrecks.
If you can find a good weather window, the nearshore wrecks will be holding a bunch of gray trout and the larger class of black sea bass.
Alex Limoges, of Hampstead, hooked this 32″ gag grouper bottom dropping 6 miles out of Topsail Inlet using live mullet.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that the speckled trout bite has picked up in area creeks. Anglers don’t really need to focus on slowing down their retrieve too much just yet, but around Christmas, slowing down as much as you can stand will be a necessity. One key at any time during the winter months, though, is to be really quiet when moving around in area creeks, as the shallower and cleaner water conditions will make it easy to spook the trout.
Artificials have been doing well, with anglers finding success using just about any variety of Bass Assassin paddle tails, artificial shrimp, MirrOlure MR-17s, and Rapala X-Raps. Before moving on from an area, anglers should vary the pace that they retrieve their baits to see what the fish are honed in on that day.
With water temperatures cooling down, the black drum will show up better in some of the deeper holes, especially those holes near structure such as oysters or docks.
A ton of bluefish are around, and they’re staged in just about every ditch inside of the inlets.
Dave Stevens, of Wilmington, caught (and released) this 22″ flounder in the ICW behind Wrightsville Beach using a 5″ Z-Man Opening Night DieZel Minnow.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that anglers headed off the beach are still finding plenty of bluefish, gray trout, and false albacore staged up nearshore. Anglers are having success fishing 007 or A17 diamond jigs, along with other glass minnow style lures.
The king mackerel bite is going on strong out in the 10-20 mile range. These kings should still be in this area until water temperatures drop below 65-degrees. Then, the kings will push offshore.
Bottom fishing is another great option as we get further into winter. Larger black sea bass and vermilion snapper are already biting really well in the 15-20 mile range, and just about all of the bottom species will fall for either cut baits or jigs right on through the winter.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that with water temperatures cooling off, the jumbo black sea bass are moving in over the nearshore wrecks and ledges.
The king mackerel bite has been phenomenal, with plenty of fish in the 10-mile range. Some kings are being found in even closer.
Anglers getting an opportunity to run offshore will find the wahoo bite is fired up. Those trolling for wahoo can expect to also hook blackfin tuna.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers have been catching quality sea mullet, pufferfish, and a bunch of bluefish.
Some good-sized black drum (to 22”) have started to show up in the daily catches.
With water temperatures continuing to cool down, the speckled trout should be showing up in better numbers and more consistently, and these keeper-sized trout will be available for pier or surf anglers.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers have caught nice-sized sea mullet (to 2+ lbs.), black drum, and flounder.
Some sheepshead are also being caught.
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts are producing pufferfish, sea mullet, and flounder.
Some black drum also started to show up, and plenty of bluefish are still in the area.
