Topsail August 16, 2012
Curtis Trexel and Jordan Norris, of Sneads Ferry, with a 41 lb. king mackerel that bit a live menhaden while they were fishing 15 miles off New River Inlet with Kevin Norris on "G's Machine."
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf casters have seen some good pompano fishing over the past week all along Topsail Island (with some fish to 3-4 lbs.). Sand fleas and cut shrimp will tempt bites from the tasty pompano.
There have been some spanish mackerel caught from the island’s piers lately, and boaters are still hooking good numbers while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures within a few miles of land. Some larger spanish are still out there near the AR’s and other structure, and they will bite live baits, dead cigar minnows, or larger spoons.
The king mackerel showed up in numbers at spots in the 12-15 mile range last week, with most falling for live baits and dead cigar minnows.
A few dolphin are mixed in with the kings.
More dolphin and some sailfish have been feeding 15-30 miles out. They’ll bite live baits, but naked and skirted ballyhoo are a better choice and can be trolled a bit faster to cover ground and find the hungry fish.
There’s still plenty of action for bottom fishermen at structure within 20 miles of land. Gag grouper, black sea bass, grunts and other bottom feeders are looking for meals at those spots. Live baits, or dead and cut cigar minnows, mackerel, squid, and more will fool the grouper and other tasty bottom dwellers.
Bottom structure closer to the beaches has been hosting a phenomenal flounder bite lately, with live baits and Gulp-tipped bucktails both producing results on the flatfish.
The flounder bite has been solid inshore as well, with most of the fish coming from the inlets and structure like docks and bridges. Gulps or live baits will get the job done inshore, too.
The red drum bite’s been on around the bays and flats from New River to Figure Eight, with topwater plugs, Gulps and other soft baits, and live baits producing the most action.
Ladyfish are on the feed with abandon inshore, with the most activity around lighted bridges and docks in the evening hours. A variety of soft and hard lures will get attention from the ladyfish, but the Yo-Zuri 3D Shrimp has been particularly effective this summer.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that anglers are still seeing some red drum action in the backwater flats, creeks, and bays off the New River and ICW lately. They’ve been a bit reluctant to bite lately, so soft plastics and live baits have been outperforming topwater plugs. Anglers who find some active fish, though, may well be able to get them to bite the topwaters.
Flounder are feeding in many of the same areas and around drop-offs, ledges, and inshore structure in the area. Live baits or soft plastics like Prototype Slim Shad will get attention from the flatfish.
Logan Roise, of Raleigh, NC, with his first red drum, which fell for a live finger mullet in the marsh behind Lea Island while he was fishing with Josh Lea.
Anglers can find sheepshead around the bridges and docks in the area. They have a tough time resisting a live fiddler crab fished tight to the structure.
Daniel, of Flatfoot Charters, reports that anglers are still connecting with some red drum on the flats and in the bays behind Topsail and Lea Island, but the bite isn’t as strong as it was before the persistent rains last week. Live finger mullet and Gulp baits have both been effective on the reds recently.
Flounder fishing inshore remains strong, with oyster bars, docks, and bridges in or near 10’+ of water producing the best results recently. Live finger mullet, menhaden, or Gulps will attract attention from the flatfish.
Sheepshead are looking for meals around the area’s bridge pilings, and anglers can tempt them to bite fiddler crabs dangled near the pilings.
Trolling Clarkspoons and squid rigs around and just off the local inlets is attracting attention from plenty of spanish mackerel.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are picking up some sea mullet, croaker, and smaller spot in the evening hours. Cut shrimp are tempting the bites from the panfish.
A few flounder and red drum are taking an interest in live baits fished under the pier.
Some speckled trout are still around and biting live shrimp in the early morning hours, but the bite isn’t as hot as it was a few weeks back.
Plug casters are hooking an occasional bluefish or spanish mackerel while working Gotchas from the planks.
Some larger spanish (4-6 lbs.) are taking an interest in live baits on king rigs off the end of the pier.
Bob, of Surf City Pier, reports that live-baiters landed the first king mackerel of the year from the pier last week.
Some large spanish mackerel are also falling for live baits off the end of the pier.
Anglers are connecting with smaller spanish mackerel and some bluefish on Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
More bluefish, croaker, sea mullet, spot, and an occasional pompano are biting bottom rigs baited with cut shrimp and bloodworms.
Cheryl, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are hooking a few spanish mackerel in the early morning hours on Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Some flounder and speckled trout are biting live baits like finger mullet and shrimp fished under the pier.
Sheepshead and black drum are looking for meals around the pier’s pilings, and sand fleas are tempting bites from both.
