Topsail July 21, 2005
Ricky Kellum, at Speckled Specialists Charters, reports nights and early mornings are the time to be trout fishing if you want to catch them. There was both a trout and a flounder in the 5 lb. class recorded this week. Nearshore the kings and spanish are still consistent, and mahi have been reported as close as three miles out of New River Inlet.
Eric, at New River Marina, reports that trout and reds are still doing well in the river, with a few flounder and black drum being caught too. Sheepshead are hanging around the high rise bridge. Reds are also beginning to be caught out in the surf. King and spanish are still hot along the beach, and dolphin are as close as three miles. Reports of sailfish further offshore are beginning to come in too.
Frank, at Seaview Pier, reports a good week of fishing with 3 to 5 lb. spanish being caught on live baits on the end. and a 16 lb. king added to the fun. Plenty of tarpon have been around to hook up on, but only one was landed. It was a 65 pounder. Other catches have been bluefish, smaller spanish mackerel, sea mullet, flounder, and sheepshead (weighing up to 6 lbs.).
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that all the piers have had at least one tarpon hook-up, with Seaview Pier the only of the three that landed one. Otherwise, pier fishing has been a mixed bag, with some flounder, a few spots, a few blues, and a few spanish.
In the surf from New River Inlet to Surf City, there are some big sea mullets (primarily caught on sand fleas). Surf City to Topsail Beach also has good-sized mullets, as well as some spots. From Topsail Beach to New Topsail Inlet, expect to find a few pompano and some big reds. And the Lee Island area continues to hold ladyfish
There have been lots of spanish spotted just inside the inlet, but getting them to bite is a different matter.
All the schoolie kings you want are just off the beach and around Honeymoon Rock. There were also a few sails released this past week.
