Topsail August 4, 2005
Capt Ricky Kellum, at Speckled Specialist Charters, reports trout fishing is surprisingly good for this time of year. A recent five-fish day yielded a monster 6.5 lb. speck, and another trip was more quantity than quality with 15 keepers being caught. Other reports from the area have been gray trout at New River Inlet, flounder on the near shore reefs, and kings and spanish along the beaches.
Frank, at Seaview Pier, reports good catches during the slow time of summer with a 31 lb. king mackerel being the highlight of the week. Spanish up to 4 lbs. have been landed as well as plenty of bluefish. Sheepshead are around the pilings. Just bring some crabs to entice them. Spots, sea mullet, and flounder are coming off the bottom, and a few over-the-slot red drum have even shown up. Tarpon are around, but only a few hookups and none landed.
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that the Surf City Pier had a 46 lb. king, a 23 lb. king, some nice specks, and a few spots. They also saw a spanish bite all day for two days. Sea View Pier had a few spots, a few spanish, and a king.
The surf has been producing some big mullets on sand fleas. There’s also been a few spots, pompano, and reds.
Spanish remain just inside the inlet. Try McDonald straw rigs with a twist clear bubble float.
From 0-20 miles out, the warm weather usually means the bite is over by 10:00 AM. The area continues to hold lots of small kings, specifically at 7-11 and AR-355.
