Topsail August 19, 2010
Henry Dail, of Kinston, NC, and Michael White, of Dover, NC, with a 29 lb. king mackerel they hooked on a skirted cigar minnow 14 miles off New River Inlet.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that the sheepshead bite is still on around hard inshore structure and the nearshore reefs (with several 8+ lb. citations in the mix). Sand fleas, fiddler crabs, and other crustacean baits will tempt bites from the sheeps.
Ladyfish are still feeding strong in the area. Anglers’ best odds of hooking up with them will come around well-lit areas with plenty of current at night. Live and Gulp shrimp and Rapala X-Raps are excellent baits for the ladies.
Surf fishermen have found action with whiting, black drum, and some big pompano (1-4 lbs.) along the length of the island. Sand fleas are producing the most action.
Anglers paddling large cut baits out into the surf with kayaks have been hooking up with a few tarpon around the middle of the island.
Spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches, and anglers are hooking them from boats and the piers.
Some large kings are nearshore as well.
Flounder fishing has been solid on the nearshore reefs and other structure. Anglers are hooking most of the flatfish on Gulp-tipped bucktails.
Structure 3 miles out and further has been producing some exciting action with amberjacks lately. Anglers are hooking the fish on topwater plugs and large Hogy soft plastics, and (at times) groups of 30-40 fish are fighting over the lures.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that Gulf Stream trollers are reporting improving wahoo action in the Gulf Stream.
There are still a few king mackerel and dolphin feeding from the nearshore areas to around 30 miles out, but the bite has been very hit-or-miss lately. Live pogies and dead cigar minnows or ballyhoo will tempt bites from both fish when anglers can find them.
The spanish mackerel bite is slowing down a bit as well, but anglers are catching a few just behind the breakers while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures.
Gray trout and flounder are feeding at nearshore structure, and anglers can hook them on live baits or while jigging Gulp-tipped bucktails just off the bottom.
There’s still some decent flounder action inshore around the inlet and bridges, and live baits are the way to go.
Some trout are feeding around inshore structure and creeks in the early mornings, and a live shrimp beneath a float is the best way to tempt them to bite.
Red drum are cruising the bays off the ICW and New River, and anglers are hooking a few on topwater plugs and scented soft plastics.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with good numbers of spot and croaker in the ICW.
Gery Vaughan, of Hunter's Haven Taxidermy, with his first cobia. The 35 lb. fish fell for a skirted pogy at the Topsail Boxcars while he was fishing with Mike Becker on "The Fly Away."
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that the red drum bite is still hot along the grass edges and docks in the area (with plenty of upper-slot to over-slot fish). Live and cut pogies are top choices for the reds.
The flounder bite is still best in deeper water, and it seems to be improving (with good numbers of 3-4 lb. fish lately). Live peanut pogies and finger mullet will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that the red drum bite is still excellent around the deeper marsh edges between Topsail and Wrightsville (with some fish to 36”). Live pogies and a variety of artificials will tempt bites from the reds.
The spanish mackerel bite is decent along the beaches, but there are big numbers of bluefish in the mix.
Large sharks are feeding along the beaches and around culling shrimp boats, and cut and dead baits will tempt them to bite.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are picking up decent numbers of spanish mackerel on small live baits.
Plug casters are hooking some bluefish on Gotchas.
A few red drum are falling for finger mullet fished on the bottom.
Bottom fishing with shrimp is producing some whiting and spot at night.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that live baiters landed several king mackerel from the end of the pier last week.
Some spanish mackerel are falling for smaller live baits and Gotcha plugs.
Sheepshead are feeding along the pier’s pilings and taking an interest in sand fleas and fiddler crabs.
Bottom fishing with shrimp is producing some action with spot, pompano, and whiting.
Sandy Morris, from Erwin, NC, with a pair of gag grouper she hooked 43 miles off New River Inlet on cigar minnows while fishing with her boyfriend, Ricky Wade, and friends.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports action with a few slot-sized and larger puppy drum lately. Live baits and shrimp are attracting their attention.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some big pompano (to 2+ lbs.), black drum, spot, croaker, and whiting.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are making sporadic runs, with more blues than spanish.
Live baiters are still hooking an occasional tarpon from the planks.
