Topsail Beach – June 12, 2014
Melissa Russel, of Jacksonville, NC, with a slot red drum that struck a topwater plug on a flat near Sneads Ferry while she was fishing with Capt. Allen Jernigan of Breadman Ventures.
Cathy, of East Coast Sports, reports that pier and surf bottom fishermen are connecting with some bluefish, sea mullet, sheepshead, red and black drum, and a few flounder. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits are attracting attention from all the fish.
Inshore, the red drum bite remains strong in the marshes and around the inlets, where anglers can connect with the fish on live and cut baits or topwater plugs, soft plastics, and other artificials.
Black drum are feeding around bridges and docks inshore and taking an interest in shrimp and other crustacean baits.
Flounder fishing has improved inshore, and anglers are finding the fish around docks and other inshore structure and the marshes and inlets. Live baits and scented soft lures like Gulps will fool the flatfish.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding just off the beaches, and boaters are hooking plenty of both while trolling Clarkspoons and casting metal jigs to schools of fish feeding on the surface.
Bottom fishing around offshore structure is producing plenty of action with black sea bass, grouper, and other tasty fish.
The dolphin action remains solid for boats making the run to the Gulf Stream, and anglers are also seeing some dolphin mixed with snake kings well inshore of the break.
Tracy and Henry Moore with a 46.8 lb. dolphin that Tracy landed after it bit a skirted ballyhoo along a weedline off New River Inlet in 450′ of water while they were trolling on the “Bobcat.”
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that anglers are seeing the area’s red drum spread out more through the bays and marshes off the ICW and New River. They’ve been a bit tougher to find lately, but when anglers do locate the fish they’re biting topwater plugs, gold spoons, and scented soft plastics well.
Speckled trout are feeding in the creeks off the New River and in more open water, and the bite has been excellent some days and nonexistent on others recently. The best bet for anglers targeting the specks is fishing in the early morning hours and around the tide changes. Topwater plugs, suspending hard baits, soft plastic shrimp, and live shrimp have all been producing results on the specks when they’re in a feeding mood.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings in the area, and anglers can fool both with live fiddler crabs.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with red drum while fishing the area’s shallow flats on moving tides. Live peanut menhaden and soft plastic baits are fooling the reds.
Flounder are feeding in many of the same areas and around the inlets and inshore structure, and anglers are starting to see some larger fish in the mix. They’ll pounce on live menhaden and a variety of soft plastics as well.
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet, spot, and croaker while bottom fishing from the pier, primarily in the evening hours. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling the panfish.
Corey Sholar, Jerome Cox, Tony James, and Juan Gonzalez with a bull dolphin that struck a skirted ballyhoo 58 miles off New River Inlet in 300′ of water while they were trolling on the “Necessity.”
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs anglers are working from the pier.
One tarpon was caught by an angler live-baiting from the end of the pier last week.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers saw a decent spot and sea mullet run over the past weekend. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling both and also attracting attention from some croaker.
Several puppy drum also took an interest in anglers’ bottom rigs last week.
Anglers are hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Julie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish while casting Gotcha plugs.
Bottom fishermen have been finding action with sea mullet, spot, and croaker.
