Topsail August 12, 2004
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that before Charley the king bite was on at all of the area piers. The piers were also seeing some mullet, flounder, blues, and spanish. Specks were in the inlet, and pompano were up and down the beach. You could also expect to find a red or a flounder in the surf. Inside, there were reds at night feeding on shrimp. The Lee Island reds had showed back up just south of the house, and you could also expect to find big ladyfish.
There were two sails caught at the New Topsail sea buoy on live menhaden, and one cobia and four sails released at Dallas Rock before the storm. There were no offshore reports because of the weather.
Frank, at Seaview Pier, reports no damage from Charley. And as soon as the storm passed, the ocean laid flat and the fish started to bite. An over-the-slot red drum was caught and released, as well as several black drum. Keeper size flounder are coming over the rail on live bait. Before the storm there was a king strike on Friday and a 32 lb. king landed on Tuesday. The water is still dirty, but a change in the wind should clean it up quickly.
Eric, at New River Marina, reports that Charley slowed down the fishing, but before the storm the action was very good. Guys were picking up small reds in the New River. Shrimp was the best bait. Trout were around the river and up around Swansboro, and at least one speck was caught in the inlet after Charley had passed. Sheepshead and black drum are biting around the bridges. Other catches in the area include flounder, spots, and croakers.
