Added on Thursday, April 10, 2008  Gary Hurley

Topsail April 10, 2008

Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are hooking up with good numbers of whiting along with a few puffers and bluefish while fishing from the piers. Some black drum have also been landed from the surf. Fresh shrimp should appeal to all these bottom feeders.

Inshore, red drum are feeding throughout the creeks and sounds, and some speckled trout have begun to make their way from the river into the ICW.

Atlantic bonito should begin feeding at nearshore structure soon, as the last reports had them around 12 miles offshore. When they arrive, anglers can cast small diamond jigs and other metal lures around bait marks and structure to hook up.

In the Gulf Stream, some wahoo await anglers willing to make the 60+ mile run. Skirted ballyhoo should attract some attention from the wahoo.

 

Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that trout fishing in the New River has been excellent over the past few weeks, despite the rainy, windy weather. Anglers have been landing double-digit numbers of trout around Jacksonville, both in creeks off the river and in the river itself.

Anglers have landed trout as large as 8 lbs. recently, and artificial lures have been producing well, with big fish falling for topwater plugs, Billy Bay Halo shrimp, and MR 17 Mirrolures.

 

Frank, of Seaview Pier, reports that fishing so far this year has produced plenty of whiting.

A two hook bottom rig baited with shrimp will tempt the whiting, and anglers have also been landing a few bluefish, undersized flounder, and speckled trout.

The water is still around 58 degrees. As it warms up, the fishing should improve further.

 

Jan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that whiting and a few bluefish are falling for bottom rigs baited with frozen shrimp or clam flavored Fish Bites.

As the water warms a bit, anglers should see action from some black drum.

The water is 58 degrees.  

 

Terry, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking up with whiting, with the best bite taking place at night.

During the day, a few bluefish, hake, and puffers are mixed in with the whiting. Sharks and stingrays are also taking the baits.

Cut shrimp have been producing the most action, and the fresher the shrimp the better.

The water is around 58 degrees presently, but it will be warming up as the month goes on.

 

Eric, of New River Marina, reports that the big news is that the bonito are running the beach near New River Inlet. Most boats are hooking up with these speedy and tasty tuna relatives while trolling #3 and #4 Clarkspoons in silver. Alternately, anglers can cast metal lures like Gotcha Plugs and diamond jigs around bait marks and breaking schools of fish with success.

Black sea bass are feeding on bottom structure close to the beaches. A bottom rig baited with squid should attract plenty of attention from the bass. Gray trout will also be making an appearance at the nearshore reefs soon.

Not many people have been out grouper fishing due to the rough weather, but the best action is probably around the reefs, wrecks, and live bottoms 20+ miles out.

Out in the Gulf Stream, the blackfin, yellowfin, and wahoo await boats making the run to the blue water. Some dolphin are likely to be around as well. Trolling ballyhoo beneath Sea Witches or other skirted baits should produce action in the deep water.

Inshore, anglers are finding good numbers of speckled trout and a few red drum in the creeks off the New River. Billy Bay and Storm shrimp imitations, other soft plastics, and Mirrolures are all producing good results on both fish. Pink, chartreuse, and combinations of the two have been the most effective colors recently.

Black drum are feeding around the 172 Bridge and upriver, but most have been small lately. A two-hook bottom rig baited with shrimp will quickly let anglers know whether there are any drum in the area.