Topsail July 25, 2004
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that the pier fishing has slowed considerably this week. Look to find an occasional spanish, blue, spot, or mullet. King fishing from the pier may produce a king, but you have a better chance at a big spanish off of a king rig.
In the surf, your best bet is to look for big mullet, or a possible flounder, at the old Barnacle Bill’s Pier. There are still big schools of reds in the ICW. Kings and dolphin have gotten really scattered this week. The summertime blues are here. Look everywhere with artificials, and then start fishing live bait when you come across a promising spot. If you want amberjacks, then head to AR-355. No real reports from the gulf.
Frank, at Seaview Pier, reports a king mackerel of 24 lbs. 6 oz. was caught this week. There were also larger spanish, including one that went 7 lbs. The smaller spanish are hitting plugs, while the bigger ones prefer the live baits. A few drum in the 27 to 30 inch range were caught on sand fleas. Flounder in the 16 to 17 inch range are still eating live baits. A few spots and sea mullet are coming off the bottom. Tarpon are still being seen off the end, but none were landed this week.
Eric, at New River Marina, reports that very hot weather has slowed the trout bite a lot, but there are black drum around the bridge and small red drum in the river. The bigger reds (30+ inches) are in the inlets and surf, and they are being caught on cut bait or live shrimp. Flounder are around, but no doormats to speak of yet. Spanish mackerel are still just off the beach, and further off the kings and dolphin are roaming the 25 to 30 mile areas.
