Added on Thursday, May 28, 2009  Fish Post

Topsail Island May 28, 2009

Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that pier anglers had a good week, catching spadefish, some fat pompano, and some spot while bottom fishing with shrimp. Bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs cast from the planks.

Inshore, sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings in the area. Anglers are hooking up with them while fishing fiddler crabs and sand fleas close to the structure.

Anglers are finding a few speckled trout around the bridges and in the creeks, with most of the fish falling for Gulp shrimp.

A few chopper bluefish are still chasing bait in the sound, and they will attack just about any bait.

The flounder bite is picking up in the sound, and live mud minnows, peanut pogies, or finger mullet will fool the flatfish. Gulp baits are also productive. 

There was a decent king mackerel bite around 18 miles off the inlet last week, and most of the fish were landed on the live cigar minnows that anglers were jigging up in the area.

In the Gulf Stream, boats reported excellent numbers of dolphin (when they’re able to go). Trolled ballyhoo are responsible for most of the dolphin bites.

 

Eric, of New River Marina, reports that anglers are still catching good numbers of speckled trout in the creeks and around structure off the New River and ICW nearby. Live shrimp are starting to show up, but anglers should also be able to hook up with the fish on Halo shrimp, Gulps, and perhaps topwater plugs.

Red drum are still feeding throughout the river and ICW, mostly in the bays off the main bodies of water. Topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and Gulps will all produce action with the reds.

Flounder fishing has been solid near the inlet lately, where most anglers are hooking up with the flatfish on Carolina-rigged live baits like peanut pogies and finger mullet. Gulps and spinnerbaits will also produce action with the flatfish.

Anglers fishing near the 172 Bridge have caught good numbers of black drum on shrimp lately (most under 3 lbs.). Some sheepshead are feeding along the bridge pilings as well, and fiddler crabs will get their attention.

Spanish mackerel and bluefish are chasing bait in the inlet and along the beaches nearby. Trolled Clarkspoons or Yo-Zuri Deep Divers will draw strikes from both fish, and anglers can also cast lures like Maria jigs to the fish when they’re busting bait on top.

The king mackerel bite has been a little slow lately, but anglers caught a few nice fish in the 20-30 mile range recently.

Bottom fishermen have been finding good numbers of grouper and American red snapper at ledges and other structure 20-30 miles off the inlet. Cigar minnows, sardines, and other baits will attract attention from the grouper, snapper, and other bottomfish.

The dolphin bite has been excellent in the Gulf Stream, with some fish also moving inshore.

 

Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite is still on in the New River and the ICW nearby. Most of the fish are around structure like bridges or creek mouths. Anglers are starting to find a few live shrimp for baits, but Billy Bay and Storm shrimp imitations and MR27 MirrOlures are producing plenty of strikes for shrimp-less anglers.

 

Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that he’s finding decent numbers of red drum (some over 30″) inshore. Some are falling for live baits like small croakers, and some are taking an interest in 4″ Gulp shrimp. The topwater bite hasn’t really gotten cranked up yet, but it should start soon.

Some large chopper bluefish are mixed in with the reds.

 

Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are starting to catch a summertime bottomfish mix of pompano, black drum, whiting, and others, with shrimp the prime baits.

Spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.

 

Robbie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some fat pompano (up to 2+ lbs.) along with some whiting and other assorted bottom feeders. Shrimp are drawing some interest, but many anglers are fishing sand fleas with good results.

Plug casters are hooking spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha plugs.

Some larger chopper blues are falling for live baits on the king rigs, and anglers sighted a cobia swimming around the pier last week.