Topsail August 2, 2012
Aaron Nelson, of Burgaw, NC, with a 21" flounder that bit a live finger mullet near New Topsail Inlet.
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are still finding solid action with pompano and sea mullet in the surf along Topsail Island. Most are falling for shrimp and sand fleas on double hook bottom rigs.
Some black drum have also been in the mix in the surf.
Inshore, the flounder bite remains solid, with most of the fish coming from around boat docks, bridges, and other structure, as well as the inlets. Live baits and Gulps will both tempt bites from the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding on the flats off the ICW and New River, and topwater plugs, Gulp baits and other soft plastics, and live baits will all get their attention.
A few speckled trout are still in the mix as well, with the majority of the action around the docks and bridges. Live shrimp on float rigs, soft plastic baits, and suspending hard lures will all tempt bites from the specks.
Interestingly, some schools of jack crevalle have been feeding near Surf City in the ICW, and the feisty fish will attack a variety of artificial lures.
Ladyfish are also on the feed inshore. Fishing around lighted bridges and docks at night is the best way to target the ladies, and topwater plugs, soft plastics, or hard baits like X-Raps will tempt them to bite.
Good numbers of bluefish are feeding in the inlets, and the spanish mackerel bite remains solid just off the beachfront. Clarkspoons trolled behind planers are producing the most action with the spaniards and blues.
Larger spanish are feeding a bit further offshore and will pounce on small live baits or dead cigar minnows.
King mackerel, barracuda, and some dolphin have been reported in the 30 mile range over the past week, with live menhaden fooling all three.
Doug Eller, of Ft. Worth, TX, with an over-slot red drum he caught and released on a flat near Surf City while fishing with Capt. Daniel Jarvis of Flat Foot Charters. The red inhaled a live finger mullet.
Bottom fishermen are still catching good numbers of gag grouper and black sea bass around structure 10+ miles out. Squid and cut baits will attract plenty of attention from the bass, and dead cigar minnows or live baits will fool the grouper.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that the flounder bite remains solid around Surf City and the local inlets. Hard structure like bridge and dock pilings has been the most productive recently, and white Gulp baits or live finger mullet are drawing bites from the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding on the area’s inshore flats, with moving tides producing better action than slack water. Topwater plugs or live pogies are tough for the reds to turn down.
Anglers are connecting with sheepshead around the bridges near Sneads Ferry. Anglers are hooking solid numbers of the tasty fish on live fiddler crabs.
Spanish mackerel action has been hot around the inlets recently, with trolled Clarkspoons producing limit catches many days.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that the topwater red drum bite has been excellent on flats off the New River and ICW over the past week. When the fish don’t want to bite topwaters, soft plastics will get their attention.
Flounder fishing remains strong around structure like drop-offs and in the marshes (with lots of small fish but some fat keepers as well). The flatfish have been biting soft plastics like Gulp and Prototype baits well lately.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are picking up some healthy speckled trout in the early morning hours on live shrimp.
Some black drum are falling for the shrimp and sand fleas as well.
Ryan Knowles, of Fayetteville, NC, with a 23" pompano that inhaled a shrimp-baited bottom rig in Riches Inlet.
A few flounder are coming over the rails for anglers fishing live mud minnows and finger mullet under the pier.
Some fat (10+ lbs.) sheepshead have been caught over the past week on sea urchins.
Bottom fishermen are finding a mixed bag of spots, sea mullet, croaker, and other fish while baiting up with shrimp.
Bob, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs from the planks early and late in the day.
Some larger spanish are taking an interest in live baits on king mackerel rigs.
Bottom fishermen have been connecting with spot, sea mullet, croaker, and more at night. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that live-baiters hooked several tarpon from the end of the pier last week.
A few spanish mackerel have been biting Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs worked from the pier.
Sea mullet, spot, black drum, and other bottom feeders are taking an interest in cut shrimp on double-hook rigs.
