Topsail July 23, 2009
Andrew Neighbarger, from Ohio, with a nice cobia caught while fishing at Christmas Rock with Captain Jim Sabella of Plan 9 Fishing Charters out of Topsail Beach. The fish fell for a dead cigar minnow on a Hank Brown rig with a pink Bluewater Candy Bling skirt.
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that inshore anglers are catching good numbers of flounder, some nice red drum, and a few trout. The action’s been best around creek mouths and inshore structure like the bridges. Live mud minnows and shrimp are producing most of the fish, and anglers are also finding some success with white and new penny Gulp baits.
Surf anglers have found good action with black drum in deeper sloughs along the length of the island. Shrimp and sand fleas will both attract attention from them.
The red drum bite has been solid at Topsail Inlet on the oceanside of the shoals. Gold spoons and cut baits will attract attention from the reds.
Offshore anglers are finding excellent fishing for king mackerel and dolphin (often as close as 5-10 miles). Out of Topsail Inlet, the first set and Dallas Rock have both produced action over the past week.
The king and dolphin bite has also been good, and the E Buoy and Christmas Rock out of New River Inlet have been productive places to troll lately.
Small ballyhoo under pink, blue, and green skirts have been the most effective on both fish.
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Daniel Parks Reddick, of Redix in Wrightsville Beach, with flounder he hooked while fishing from the south jetty at Masonboro Inlet with Gulp shrimp.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that the speckled trout and red drum bite is still good in the bays and creeks off the New River and the ICW nearby. Live shrimp are excellent baits for both fish, but anglers are also hooking up on Gulp baits, Billy Bay shrimp, and topwater plugs.
The flounder bite continues to improve in the area with good action around the inlet, the 172 Bridge, and area creek mouths. Live finger mullet or other baits on Carolina rigs will fool the flatties.
Black drum and a few sheepshead are feeding around the 172 Bridge. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will appeal to both fish.
The spanish mackerel bite is still solid, and it was especially good last week just south of the inlet. Trolled Clarkspoons are fooling the spaniards.
Big numbers of sharks are feeding close to the beaches, and anglers are hooking them and an occasional tarpon while fishing behind shrimp boats.
King mackerel and dolphin are still feeding around Christmas Rock and the boxcars. Live baits will fool them, but dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows have been at least as productive as live baits lately.
Boats making the long trip to the Gulf Stream are finding decent action with wahoo, sailfish, and an occasional yellowfin tuna.
Gag grouper have moved inshore, and anglers are hooking up with some at structure within 10 miles of the beaches.
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Christina Vaughan with her first king. The fish fell for a cigar minnow on a Hank Brown rig just outside Rich's Inlet while she was fishing with her father, Gery Vaughan of Hunter's Haven Taxidermy.
Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that king mackerel are feeding hard on the abundant schools of pogies cruising along the beaches. Live baiting just outside the schools is attracting plenty of strikes from the kings (and many are 15-20+ lbs.).
Some big spanish are feeding along the beaches as well, and trolling spoons and live-baiting will both attract their attention.
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Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that anglers are still catching excellent numbers of speckled trout at structure in the New River and ICW near Sneads Ferry. Live shrimp under floats are the best baits for the trout, but pinfish and other small species are making it tough to keep them on the hook long enough for a trout to find them. Billy Bay and Storm shrimp are good second choices.
Red drum are feeding in the bays in the same area, and anglers caught some stout ones on topwater plugs last week.
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Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers caught a good number of king mackerel on live baits last week (up to 25 lbs.).
Some spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Bottom fishermen have found some solid spot runs over the past week. Bloodworms are the top baits for the spot.
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Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that tarpon, sharks, bluefish, king mackerel, and large spanish mackerel are feeding on the pogy schools moving up and down the beaches, and they’re all taking an interest in the live baits on king rigs.
Some spanish mackerel are also falling for Gotcha plugs early and late in the day.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some spot, black drum, whiting, and bluefish at night, and a mixed bag during the day.
Anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom are hooking good numbers of flounder (to 22” this past week).
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Earl, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers caught a decent number of king mackerel (to 22 lbs.) and some large spanish (6-7 lbs.) on live baits over the past week.
Anglers fishing with live shrimp are catching some flounder and speckled trout on live shrimp.
Bottom fishermen are catching some black drum and a few spot and whiting on shrimp.
