Topsail – July 21, 2016
Tyler, of East Coast Sports, reports that bluefish have been providing surf fishermen plenty of action. Casting Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs around high tide is connecting with the blues, but most of the action has been with cut baits fished along the bottom.
Bottom fishermen in the suds have been reporting sea mullet, with bloodworms and fresh shrimp fished on bottom rigs are getting most of the bites. Small black drum are being found in the same areas and taking a liking to fresh shrimp and Fishbites.
Red drum are being found scattered all along the Topsail surf. Shrimp and larger cut baits have been fooling the reds, especially at night.
The red drum inshore are holding a bit deeper now that the water temps are warmer. Live and cut baits fished around waterway docks is providing action throughout the day. Black drum are being found in similar areas around dock pilings and bridges, and fresh shrimp is the key to putting them in the boat.
Flounder fishing continues to offer good shots at mostly undersized fish. Drift fishing around inlets and deeper channels with live finger mullet or menhaden is how most fish are being caught.
Sheepshead are holding around structure like bridge pilings and deep water docks. Live fiddler crabs and sea urchins are essential for getting sheepshead to bite. Croaker fishing has picked up over the past week, and these fish will take a variety of natural baits. Bloodworms, squid, cut mullet, and Fishbites will get croakers to bite. The fish are holding well on hard bottom areas back in the creeks and along bulkheads along the ICW.
Spanish mackerel fishing has picked up considerably over the past week for nearshore boaters. Clarkspoons fished behind #1 planers just off the breakers seems to be working the best. The fish are also being found along tidelines near both New Topsail and New River inlets. A little further out, king mackerel are being caught on slightly larger Clarkspoons and Drone spoons.
False albacore have been found busting baits on the surface. Casting Gotcha plugs and Jigfish into the schools has been productive. A few cobia have been caught recently on live pinfish. The cobia have been relating to buoys and bottom structure.
Bottom fishermen in 80-110’ of water are reporting good catches of keeper black sea bass. Gag grouper, pinkies, beeliners, and grunts are being found in the same range. The fish are taking squid and cut mackerel along with jigs.
Gulf Stream boaters are reporting catches of wahoo around the temperature breaks. Wire rigged ballyhoo behind a variety of lures is how most are getting the bites. Wahoo success has been best while using #8 high speed planers.
There has been a scattered blackfin tuna bite. Most of the tunas have been on the small size and eating skirted ballyhoo on the surface.
Chad, of Lucky Dawg G
Dylan French (age 11), of Hampstead, with a redfish he caught while walking the dog in a bay near Topsail.
uide Service, reports that red drum are being found throughout the marsh and along docks in the ICW. Both artificial and live baits are working well for hook ups. Flounder are holding in deep holes and ledges in the creeks as well as around docks. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are a sure bet to hook up with a flatfish.
Ladyfish are hanging around lighted docks in the ICW, and topwater baits, Rapala SubWalks, and Yo-Zuri Crystal Shrimp are a great way to hook up. Sheepshead are still hanging around deep water pilings and bridges, and fiddler crabs and sea urchins are great baits to catch the fish.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that school-sized kings are providing good action in 50-60’of water. Blue Water Candy dead bait rigs with cigar minnows is getting the best results. Spanish mackerel has been solid on a falling tide in 20-30’ of water. Using #1 planers with pink “00” and “0” Clarkspoons has been the ticket over the past week. The spanish have been feeding consistently on the surface and offering good opportunities for casting to them.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that sea mullet, spot, and croaker are being caught using bloodworms. The bite has been on and off, while the better fishing has remained at night. Black drum are being caught by bottom fishermen using both fresh shrimp and Fishbites.
Tarpon are being spotted and hooked nearly every day over the past week. Live baits fished on pin rigs have been fooling the fish. Most fish have been in the 80-140 lb. range.
Spanish mackerel are providing good action early in the mornings. Both plugs and live baits have been getting the spanish bites.
Terry, of Surf City Pier, reports that spanish mackerel are being caught early and late in the day. Diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs are getting bites, and a few larger spanish have been caught using live baits.
Some over slot red drum have been caught at night using cut bait. Tarpon continue to swim past the pier and offer good shots at hook ups, and a 30 lb. jack crevalle was landed on a live bait off the end of the pier.
Bottom fishermen are reporting a mixed bag of spots and croaker, with bloodworms getting the best results. A few pompano are being caught by those using sand fleas, and pinfish and lizard fish are in large numbers and keeping bottom fishermen busy.
David, of Seaview Fishing Pier, reports that a few sea mullet are being caught both during the day and at night. They are taking Fishbites, shrimp, and bloodworms on the bottom. A few spots have been caught recently on bloodworms.
Bluefish up to 18” have been caught on cut baits over the past week. Early in the mornings the bluefish have been taking Gotcha plugs and metal jigs cast off the end of the pier.
