Topsail August 30, 2007
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that kings are feeding right off the beaches. The largest kings, however, are further off the beach. Some sailfish are mixed in as close to the beach as Honeymoon Rock. Live baits should attract attention from both the kings and sails.
Boats are still finding a few dolphin around Christmas Rock. Both cigar minnow and ballyhoo baits should be too much for the dolphin to resist.
Wahoo have pushed inshore of the Gulf Stream due to the high temperatures, and anglers have landed several around 20 miles offshore recently.
Surf and pier anglers are landing a typical summertime mixed bag of whiting, pompano, and other fish. Some big sharks are also providing exciting battles for anglers targeting them.
Inshore, the ladyfish, flounder, and red drum are on the feed in the sounds. Carolina-rigged finger mullet will attract attention from all three species.
Wayne, of Sea View Pier, reports that in the early mornings and late afternoons anglers are landing some speckled trout on live shrimp baits.
Some flounder are also falling for live shrimp fished on the bottom.
At night, live shrimp are producing red and black drum.
Bluefish are biting a variety of baits.
Anglers casting diamond jigs are landing a few spanish mackerel.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are decking some slot-sized and larger red drum. Live and cut shrimp are both drawing strikes from the drum.
After dark, some whiting are biting the shrimp, too.
Live baits are producing some keeper flounder.
Plug casters are hooking up with a few bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that spanish mackerel are all around the pier, but they’re feeding on glass minnows and are frequently reluctant to strike lures large enough for anglers to cast. When they decide to bite, anglers are hooking the mackerel on diamond jig/tube lure rigs.
A good number of keeper flounder are coming over the rails, and most are falling for live baits. Anglers are also catching a few flatfish on Gulp baits and bucktails.
Bottom fishermen are catching some fat pompano (1-2.5 lbs.) and whiting (1 lb. and larger).
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that speckled trout are still feeding well in the New River and nearby waters. Billy Bay Halo shrimp in white and pink are the top artificial lures, but it’s hard to beat live shrimp when the fish get picky.
Red drum are chasing bait in the same areas as the trout, but they are feeding on the banks instead of along the channel drop-offs. Anglers should cast topwater plugs and spinnerbaits to the banks and shallows to hook up with the drum.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that speckled trout fishing is picking up, particularly near the inlet. Soft plastic baits and live shrimp or finger mullet will all draw attention from the trout.
Red drum are feeding in the ICW and creeks off the New River. The reds are falling for white 4” Gulp shrimp fished on spinnerbaits or beneath popping corks.
The flounder bite is still solid, and anglers are hooking up with the flatfish near the inlet and throughout the ICW. They’ll take an interest in Carolina-rigged live baits or spinnerbaits.
A few sheepshead are still feeding around the 172 Bridge, but the black drum bite has slowed down. Fiddler crabs are top sheepshead baits, and they should be fished close to the bridge pilings for best results.
Spanish mackerel fishing near the inlet and along the beach is excellent right now. Trolled Clarkspoons should draw plenty of bites from the spanish, along with some bluefish.
The high temperatures have the kings feeding further off the beach than in previous weeks. Live baits or dead cigar minnows will produce good results on the kingfish.
Gag grouper are still feeding at structure as close as 8 miles off the beach, with reds a bit further out (20+ miles). Grouper will bite a wide variety of baits, and spanish sardines and cigar minnows are top choices.
