Topsail – December 10, 2015
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf and pier bottom fishermen have been hooking solid numbers of sea mullet, pompano, and black sea bass while baiting up with shrimp. There’s also been a decent red drum bite around the inlet (up to 40 lbs.).
Red drum are feeding in the inlet, and anglers have been connecting with plenty of action. Cut bait seems to be the popular choice, although Gulp baits will fool the reds as well.
Boyd Wilson with a citation-class red drum that bit a spot head off the end of Surf City Pier.
Inshore, flounder are still feeding around inlets and docks, but the flounder bite will slow down in the upcoming weeks as the temperature continues dropping. Live and Gulp baits will almost always do the trick.
The speckled trout bite is turning up inshore in the creeks and New River. Anglers are landing mid-range sized trout with soft plastics grubs or suspending lures like MR17’s.
Blake Boyd with a false albacore that bit a Stingsilver casting jig near Topsail Inlet.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that anglers are continuing to see a solid speckled trout bite in the New River area. There are big numbers of small fish around, but anglers have also landed several 5+ lb. citation specks in the past week. Most of the trout are falling for MR17 MirrOlures, Salty Bay soft plastics, and soft shrimp imitations, and anglers will likely be able to connect with the specks even as the weather cools off and winter sets in.
Some scattered schools of red drum and plenty of singles are still feeding in the New River and along the ICW as well. There are also some larger schools forming in the surf zone along local beaches. Anglers can fool the reds with spoons, scented soft plastics, and spinnerbaits, and they should be around for much of the winter as well.
As the water gets truly cold, anglers should consider fishing later in the day, particularly on sunny days, as the warming water will often get them feeding a bit more actively.
Brad Huffman, of Salisbury, NC, with a 42″ red drum that he caught and released in the North Topsail Beach surf.
Greg, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of sea mullet and pufferfish while bottom fishing with shrimp, Fish Bites, and other baits. A few gray and speckled trout and bluefish are mixed in and biting bottom rigs and artificials.
Mike Chenault with a 19″ speckled trout that he hooked in a creek behind Lea Island.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers have landed some speckled and gray trout and bluefish recently on bottom rigs and while working soft plastics and other artificial lures (often the best bet for the specks).
Those baiting smaller hooks with shrimp and Fish Bites baits are hooking decent numbers of sea mullet and bluefish.
Perry Harper with a 3.5 lb. speckled trout that bit a black and gold jerkbait while he was fishing near Hampstead with Chris Natale.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers have landed some speckled trout and flounder over the past week, primarily while working Gulps and other soft plastic baits from the pier (with many short  fish but keepers mixed in, too).
Bluefish are still feeding near the pier and biting Gotcha plugs, other artifcials, and bottom rigs.
There’s also been a good sea mullet bite lately, with bloodworms seeming to produce the best action, but plenty of fish are being caught on shrimp and a variety of Fish Bites flavors.
Angelo Piro with a 19″ black drum that he hooked near Topsail Inlet.
