Topsail August 23, 2012
Christine Aman, of Hampstead, with a pair of flounder she hooked near some bottom structure in 60' of water off New Topsail Inlet while fishing with her husband Steve and Culley Wilson. The flatfish bit live finger mullet.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are still catching plenty of sheepshead inshore in the area around bridge and dock pilings. Live fiddler crabs and sea urchins (now available at the shop) fished tight to the structure will tempt the sheepshead to bite. There are plenty of black drum in the same spots, and they’ll also respond to fiddlers or fresh shrimp.
Red drum are feeding on the flats and in Topsail Inlet, where boaters and surf casters are hooking up with them on cut baits and finger mullet. A variety of artificial lures will also tempt them to bite on the flats.
Flounder are also feeding in the inlet and around structure like docks and bridges inshore. Live finger mullet or Gulp baits are top choices for the flatfish. The finger mullet have been plentiful in the marshes and creeks, so anglers shouldn’t have to look too far to load up with flounder and drum baits.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding just outside the inlets and along the beachfront, where they’ll readily bite trolled Clarkspoons or deep-diving plugs.
Larger spaniards (to 4-5+ lbs.) are looking for meals around the sea buoy and further offshore. The bigger fish are more likely to bite live finger mullet or small menhaden drifted under floats.
The king mackerel bite is improving in the 15 mile range and further out. Live menhaden are tempting most of the bites from the kings, and they’ve also been plentiful inshore.
Flounder fishing around nearshore structure within a few miles of the beaches has been phenomenal lately, with anglers putting big numbers of keepers on ice while baiting up with finger mullet.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that the past weeks have hosted some of the best fishing of the summer, and it looks like fall fishing is rapidly on the way.
Red drum are feeding in shallow water all over the area, especially on lower falling tides. Live mullet, soft plastic baits, and topwater plugs are all attracting attention from the reds.
The flounder fishing has been phenomenal lately from the marshy flats to deeper water (around 15’) near bridges, docks, and other structure. The tide stage doesn’t seem to matter much as long as the water is moving, and white Gulp baits or live finger mullet are the best bets for the flatfish.
Andy Deitz (age 12), of NJ, with his first fish, a 6 lb., 1 oz. flounder he hooked on a live mullet near Surf City while fishing with Capt. Daniel Jarvis of Flat Foot Charters.
Sheepshead and black drum are feeding around area bridges and have a tough time turning down a live fiddler crab presented close to their homes.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding near all the inlets in the area, and trolling Clarkspoons or Yo-Zuri Deep Divers will put them in the boat.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are still connecting with some flounder and speckled trout on live shrimp and finger mullet fished under the pier.
Some sea mullet and a few pompano are taking an interest in shrimp and sand fleas on bottom rigs.
Plug casters are hooking up with some bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotchas and diamond jigs.
Live baiters also saw some action last week¸ hooking several king mackerel and a tarpon off the end of the pier.
Bob, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are landing some spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs from the pier.
Robbie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that some fat flounder are falling for live finger mullet fished under the pier.
Black drum are taking an interest in shrimp and sand fleas on bottom rigs.
Anglers fishing at night are decking some sea mullet and a few spot on shrimp and bloodworms.
