Topsail August 30, 2012
Scott Miller, of Morganton, NC, with a re ddrum that bit a topwater plug in the New River while he was fishing with Capt. Allen Jernigan of Breadman Ventures.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are hooking plenty of flounder inshore around structure like docks and ledges and in the marshes. Live baits (like finger mullet and menhaden) and Gulps are top choices for the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding on the flats, in the creeks, and around the inlets, and anglers are hooking them on live and cut baits, Gulps and other soft plastics, spinnerbaits, topwater plugs, and more.
The sheepshead bite is still solid around the bridges, docks, and other structure in the New River and ICW. Live fiddler crabs and sea urchins are top choices for the sheeps and should be fished tight to the structure for best results.
Speckled trout fishing in the New River is heating up. Anglers are hooking the specks on live baits, soft plastics, and topwater plugs.
Spot are beginning to make their fall appearance inshore. Anglers reported good catches in the ICW around marker 98 last week. Shrimp and bloodworms are both good choices for the tasty panfish.
Surf casters are finding plenty of action with sea mullet up and down the Topsail beaches, with sand fleas, shrimp, and bloodworms producing most of the action. A few pompano and other bottom feeders are mixed in.
Red drum are also on the feed around the south end of the island where finger mullet and cut baits will tempt them to bite.
Schools of bluefish and jack crevalle are chasing bait just off the beaches, and anglers on the piers and in boats are hooking plenty while casting metal jigs and Gotcha plugs.
Some large flounder have also been feeding around the ocean piers and taking an interest in live baits fished near the pilings.
Gabriella and Christian Garcia, of Hampstead, with a 26" red drum Gabriella landed behind Lea Island after it struck a live finger mullet.
Large spanish mackerel are feeding at spots in the 3-5 mile range, and trolling larger spoons, diving plugs, dead cigar minnows, or live baits will get their attention.
King mackerel have been feeding 10-15 miles out, where anglers are tempting them to bite live baits and dead cigar minnows.
Some wahoo have moved inshore of the Gulf Stream, and anglers hooked up with them as close as 15 miles out last week. They’ll bite the same baits as the kings.
Sailfish are still feeding in the 20 mile areas. They’ll bite live baits, but rigged ballyhoo trolled with daisy chain and dredge teasers are an even better option.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that the persistent rains have slowed fishing over the past week, but anglers are still finding some solid action inshore.
Red drum are feeding on the flats and in the creeks, where live finger mullet and soft plastic baits are attracting their attention. A few have been falling for topwater plugs lately as well.
Flounder fishing remains decent around inshore structure in 10-15’ of water. White Gulp baits and live finger mullet and menhaden are the best bets for the flatfish.
Sheepshead and black drum are feeding around the area’s bridges and docks, and both will take a hearty interest in live fiddler crabs or sea urchins dangled near the pilings.
Trolling Clarkspoons and other small, flashy lures around the inlets is producing plenty of action with spanish mackerel.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that anglers have been hooking good numbers of speckled trout on topwater plugs over the past week at spots in the New River and off the ICW. When they don’t want to feed on top, suspending lures like MirrOlure MR17’s and Rapala X-Raps will get their attention.
Red drum are feeding on the flats and taking an interest in topwater plugs, spoons, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic lures.
Mark Willis, of Beulaville, NC, with a 28.5", 6 lb. spanish mackerel he hooked on a live mehaden from Seaview Pier.
Flounder fishing has been a bit hit-or-miss lately.
Bill, of Fish On Charters, reports that anglers are catching plenty of black sea bass and porgies while bottom fishing on half-day trips. Squid and cut baits are fooling the bottom feeders. Some smaller dolphin are feeding in the same areas.
Offshore trips are producing action with larger bottomfish like pinkies and beeliners, along with some larger dolphin.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that live-baiters are connecting with some big spanish mackerel (5+ lbs.) off the end of the pier.
Plug casters are hooking smaller spanish and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Some flounder are taking an interest in small live baits fished under the pier.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with spadefish, sea mullet, spot, and croaker on shrimp and bloodworms.
Bob, of Surf City Pier, reports that some spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
Some fat flounder are biting live baits fished near the pilings.
Pompano, sea mullet, croaker, and a few spot are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Cindy, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking some spanish mackerel on Gotchas.
Bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp and bloodworms are hooking some sea mullet.
