Topsail April 25, 2013
Eric Fowler with a healthy speckled trout that struck an MR17 MirrOlure in a creek off the New River while he was fishing with Tim Chavez.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers have seen the first spring run of spot off Surf City Pier over the past week. Surf and pier bottom fishermen are also connecting with some black drum, sea mullet, and pufferfish. Shrimp and bloodworms on two-hook rigs are fooling most of the panfish.
Large chopper bluefish have shown up inshore, and anglers have been finding them in a variety of spots, with the Surf City swing bridge and New Topsail Inlet some of the most productive recently. Cut baits have been fooling most of the big blues, but the choppers aren’t picky eaters, and virtually any bait or lure they can fit in their mouths stands a chance of producing a hookup.
Speckled trout are on the move inshore. Anglers are still finding good numbers in the creeks where they’ve been biting for much of the winter and spring, but the action in the local inlets has also been turning on. Browns, New River, and New Topsail inlets have all produced decent catches of specks for anglers over the past week. Soft plastic baits and suspending hard lures like MR17 MirrOlures, Rapala X-Raps, and Yo-Zuri’s 3D baits have all been tempting the trout to bite.
Black drum have made a strong appearance inshore in the area (with most 6-10 lbs. and occasional fish in the 20-30 lb. class). Anglers are finding most of the fish inshore around hard structure like bridges and docks and fooling them with fresh shrimp.
Flounder fishing is improving inshore, and anglers are hooking more fish and a few more keepers with every passing week. Live mud minnows and finger mullet or Gulp baits on jigheads will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes and creeks off the ICW and New River. They’ll take an interest in topwater plugs, Gulp baits and other soft plastics, or a wide variety of natural baits.
The weather has kept boats from making it offshore over the past few weeks, but anglers will likely find wahoo and blackfin tuna still feeding along the break when they can make the run.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that the speckled trout action in the creeks and bays along the New River remains excellent (with not only numbers but some big fish to 7+ lbs. in the mix as well), and the specks have begun biting topwater plugs over the past few weeks. When they’re not keen on the topwaters, MirrOlure MR17’s have been producing excellent results, particularly in the ECBG color pattern.
Jon Espinoza, of Sneads Ferry with a speckled trout that bit an MR17 MirrOlure while he was fishing with Capt. Allen Jernigan of Breadman Ventures.
Flounder action is getting better, and giggers have been doing very well lately, so there are plenty of flounder around right now. The bite should continue to improve over the coming weeks as the inshore water temperatures climb. Live baits and soft plastics will both attract attention from the flatfish.
Red drum are still working the bays and marshes in tight schools, but they’ve been somewhat hesitant to bite recently. Gold spoons and soft plastic baits seem to have been the best bets over the past few weeks.
Atlantic bonito have been reported in the 15-20 mile range off New River Inlet, so if they’re going to make a showing this spring at nearshore spots like Diver’s Rock, it should happen soon.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are picking up some sea mullet, pufferfish, and black drum (some to 8 lbs.) while bottom fishing from the pier with shrimp.
Bluefish have begun to show up (with some large choppers in the mix), and anglers are hooking them on baited bottom rigs and a few on Gotcha plugs.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet and black drum while bottom fishing from the pier, and they had a small run of spots last weekend as well. Shrimp on bottom rigs are fooling the majority of the bottom feeders.
Bluefish have shown up and are biting bottom rigs and metal casting lures.
Cheryl, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Large chopper bluefish made an appearance last week, and anglers have hooked them on baited bottom rigs and Gotcha plugs.
One plug caster also landed a false albacore from the planks last week.
