Topsail August 12, 2010
Daniel Tanner, of Seagrove, NC, with a 29 lb. African pompano that fell for a piece of squid at WR-2.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are still seeing big numbers of tarpon along the beachfront, and anglers flounder fishing in the New River have jumped a few as well.
Sheepshead fishing is still hot around inshore structure like bridges and docks. Anglers can fool the sheeps with fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and other baits.
Ladyfish are feeding around lighted structure at night, and they will fall for live baits or lures like Rapala X-Raps.
Red drum are feeding inshore in the marshes and creeks. The bite has been early in the morning, though, as the fish seem to be done feeding by the time the sun gets high.
The reds are still schooling up in the surf off Lea Island, where anglers can hook them on cut baits, finger mullet, and gold spoons.
Surf anglers are finding action with some whiting and black drum in the breakers, though the action’s been a little scattered.
Flounder fishing’s been good in the inlets and at nearshore structure lately. Small live baits or Gulp-tipped bucktails are the way to go for the flatties.
Some large spanish (3-4+ lbs.) mackerel are feeding along the beaches, and anglers are hooking them on small live baits from boats and the piers.
Amberjack are feeding at structure from 4 miles on out, and they will respond to topwater poppers, live baits, and vertical jigs.
Some grouper are scattered at some of the same structure where the AJ’s are schooling.
Boats are seeing decent numbers of sailfish from the sea buoy on out to the Gulf Stream. The sails will take an interest in rigged ballyhoo.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that anglers are still finding action with sheepshead and some large black drum (10-15 lbs.) around the 172 Bridge. Shrimp, fiddler crabs, and other crustaceans will fool both fish.
Red drum are still feeding on the flats and bays along the ICW, though the best fishing by far lately has been very early in the mornings. Live baits, topwater plugs, soft plastics, and more will fool the reds.
Speckled trout are also feeding very early in the mornings, and live shrimp are the best bet for hooking up with them, though anglers will go through plenty as the pinfish are merciless.
Flounder are still feeding in the inlet, around the bridges, and at deeper holes inshore. Small live baits or Gulps with get their attention.
Some spot and croaker are feeding in the inlet and the ICW. They’ll take an interest in shrimp on bottom rigs.
Gray trout are beginning to show up along the beachfront, but anglers can only keep one each due to the new laws. Working a Stingsilver or other metal lure just off the bottom should fill the limit in a hurry.
Travis Thomas, from Walkertown, NC, with a 26.75" red drum that fell for a live pogie around a Topsail dock while he was fishing with Capt. Wayne Crisco of Last Resort Charters.
A few spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding along the beaches, but fishing for them has slowed over the past week.
King mackerel fishing is a bit off as well. Anglers found a few in the 10-12 mile range last week, with the best fishing early and late in the day.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with good numbers of gag grouper from 8 miles on out, but for some reason the red grouper bite has been slow.
Anglers making the trip to the Gulf Stream are reporting an improving wahoo bite.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that there’s still some excellent red drum action going on between Topsail and Figure Eight along the docks, flats, and creeks in the area. Live and cut pogies are tough to beat for the reds.
Flounder are feeding well, but with the hot water inshore the best bite is around deeper structure like marinas and bridges. Finger mullet and smaller pogies are the way to go for the flounder.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking some flounder and red drum on small live baits.
Black drum and whiting are falling for shrimp, with the best action at night.
Plug casters are hooking up some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotchas.
Tarpon are still rolling past the pier, but they’re somewhat difficult to hook and land.
Jan, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are picking up a few bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Bottom fishermen are decking some spot and whiting on shrimp and bloodworms.
Live-baiters landed one tarpon last week.
Lisa Wilkerson, from Greensboro, NC, with her first dolphin. The fish fell for a chartreuse-skirted cigar minnow while she was trolling at Christmas Rock aboard the "Just One More."
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some black and puppy drum on shrimp and live baits fished from the piers. Some healthy pompano (to 2+ lbs.) are also taking an interest in shrimp.
Live shrimp are also producing action with a few scattered speckled trout.
The flounder bite has slowed down a bit.
Spanish mackerel are feeding near the pier (some 5+ lbs.). Anglers are hooking them on Gotcha plugs, diamond jigs, gold hook rigs, and small live baits on slide rigs.
Live-baiters fishing from the end of the pier hooked several king mackerel and a tarpon last week.
