Topsail/Sneads Ferry – June 2024
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that redfish have been scattered throughout the backwaters. Anglers rigged with topwater plugs and Z-Man paddle tail soft plastics are having plenty of success getting strikes.
Sheepshead, alongside black drum, have been staged up around the inshore hard structures. Live fiddler crabs are great for getting these fish to eat when targeting dock pilings and bridges.
A lot of good-sized spanish mackerel have been showing up along the beaches and near the inlets. These spanish have provided anglers plenty of opportunities, both by sight casting and when trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers.
King mackerel have been mixed in the action along the beaches and out over structure in the 30-mile area.
Structure out in that 30-mile area is also holding some amberjacks.
Keep an eye out when fishing nearshore, with there being the chance that a cobia pops up around a bait ball or over live bottom areas.
Grouper anglers are having a bunch of success targeting the 120’ range. These bottom fishing efforts are also producing a nice mix of vermilion snapper, triggerfish, black sea bass, and hogfish.
Offshore anglers are seeing some mahi and wahoo action out in the Gulf Stream. As the water temperatures continue to rise, the area should see the mahi moving into the 30-mile range.
Rob Steele, of Asheville, caught this 23″, 6 lb. black drum from the surf on North Topsail Island using fresh shrimp.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that red drum have been really cooperative. The rising tide has been a bit more productive for targeting these fish on grass points and oyster rocks. Artificials have been working great, mostly topwater plugs and Z-Man soft plastics.
Black drum are staged up around docks for anglers fishing shrimp. However, the pinfish are around now, so be ready to burn through baits.
Some hefty spanish mackerel are being caught from the beach out to 40’. The bigger fish have mostly been on the deeper side of that range. Trolling Clarkspoons is definitely the tactic that will put fish in the boat. If you can find birds and concentrations of fish, though, anglers can connect by casting smaller diamond jigs.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that red drum have been slowly moving into the bays as water temperatures bring them in from the ocean. These fish aren’t going to be schooled up, as they are scattered around in groups of 2-5 fish. Moving fairly quickly from spot to spot is a tactic to use once the redfish get in this summer pattern. Soft plastics in electric chicken color patterns, Rapala Skitter Walks, and gold spoons are all great choices for scouting.
Black drum are likely still around, though the arrival of pinfish has anglers shying away from bottom fishing with shrimp.
Nearshore trips have started to find king mackerel moving closer to the beach, as they are staging up around structure.
A bunch of spanish mackerel are just off the beach for anglers who want to troll and get some fish in the boat.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that spanish mackerel have made up the bulk of the catch. Small #00 Clarkspoons and Drone spoons behind #1 planers or trolling weights have been best for this 20” class of fish.
Mixed in the trolling action are 2+ lb. bluefish and scattered Atlantic bonito.
King mackerel are holding best in the 15-30 mile range, as they still haven’t settled into the closer to shore spots. Drone spoons (3.5”) on #3 planers, deep diving plugs, and ballyhoo are all accounting for some action.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that mahi have arrived. Most of this early action is out in the Stream where anglers are starting efforts in 150’+ and searching for water temperature breaks. Anglers have had a lot of success with small ballyhoo on Sea Witches and Ilanders in green/blue, green/yellow, and pink/white color patterns.
Those trolling offshore will also find blackfin tuna and wahoo mixed in.
Grouper fishing is in full swing for anglers targeting some of the deeper structures and ledges.
The nearshore bite is holding strong, with nice catches of spanish mackerel and bluefish. Both trolling spoons and casting diamond jigs have done the trick in enticing strikes.
King mackerel have also shown up on the beach.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing some mixed bags of fish. Catches each day include sea mullet, trout, spots, black drum, and the occasional sheepshead.
The pier has also seen good casting action, with Gotcha plugs producing strikes from spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Some king mackerel have been caught (to 36 lbs.).
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that king mackerel are showing up now that water temperatures are warming up.
Casting plugs is producing bluefish and a bunch of spanish mackerel.
Some pompano are showing up, and speckled trout are being caught in the low light hours with shrimp.
Tim, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are starting to see better numbers of keeper spanish mackerel and bluefish, with some larger spanish (to 6+ lbs.) mixed in.
King mackerel (to 34 lbs.) are beginning to kick off.
Some speckled trout and sheepshead are also being caught.
