Topsail July 28, 2011
Dr. Fernando Moya, of Wilmington, with a 32" red drum he caught and released in the Figure Eight surf after it bit a chunk of fresh mullet.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf anglers are hooking some decent numbers of pompano around the south end of the island, mostly on shrimp. Some fat sea mullet are taking an interest in sand fleas in the surf, but that bite has been in the early morning hours.
Anglers are also hooking up with a few large red drum at night on the south end and the north end of Lea Island, but they’ve become a bit more scarce than a few weeks ago. Finger mullet and cut baits will tempt bites from the reds.
Inshore, sheepshead and black drum are feeding around bridge and dock pilings and other hard structure. They’ll both take an interest in fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or other crustacean baits.
Flounder fishing along the ICW has been decent lately, with anglers finding the fish around docks, creekmouths, and drop-offs. Live mud minnows or finger mullet and Gulp baits are effective on the flatfish.
A few king mackerel are showing up at nearshore structure within 10 miles of the beaches, and live-baiting while anchored up and chumming has been producing most of them recently.
Good numbers of large sharks are in the same areas, and they will readily take a large cut or dead bait for anglers looking for a serious battle.
Some school kings also were feeding around Cripple Rock last week, and live baits or dead cigar minnows will tempt bites from them.
The dolphin bite has been decent in the 30 mile range lately, with a few fish closer in. Skirted and naked ballyhoo or cigar minnows are excellent choices for the ‘phins.
Tim and Slater Powell with a gag grouper that fell for a live grunt at some bottom structure 30 miles off Topsail Inlet.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that anglers are still finding action with red drum between Topsail and Figure Eight. The fish are feeding in the creeks and on the flats, and live finger mullet have been the most effective offerings lately, although cut menhaden has also been producing some fish. A few large (8-12 lb.) bluefish are mixed in with the reds and surprising anglers with a hard battle.
Flounder fishing is still decent, but most of the action has been near the inlets lately. The inshore water temperatures are very high right now, and incoming tides pushing cooler water into the inlets are producing the best flatfish bite. Live finger mullet are the baits of choice.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that red drum are feeding throughout the area, from the backwater creeks on out to the surf zone. Live and cut baits have been fooling most of the reds lately.
Flounder fishing remains solid, but with the hot water right now, deeper areas with structure have been producing much better results than the shallows where the fish were feeding a few weeks back. The shady spots under ICW docks also offer the flatfish a place to cool off and can provide some good fishing. Live finger mullet are tempting the flounder to bite.
A few speckled trout are feeding in the area, and float-fishing live shrimp around bridges and other inshore structure at night is the best way to target them.
Ladyfish have shown up, and they are feeding in many of the same areas as the specks at night. They also have a hard time turning down a live shrimp, but a variety of artificials will fool the ladies as well.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some bluefish on bottom rigs and Gotcha plugs.
Bottom fishing at night with shrimp and bloodworms is producing some action with sea mullet.
Bonnie, Walter, and David Moore, from Hampstead, with a red drum that fell for a Gulp swimming mullet near Topsail Inlet.
Jan, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some small spot and pompano on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits on the bottom.
Sheepshead are feeding near the pilings and will take an interest in barnacles and sand fleas.
Austin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers landed some red and black drum from the pier last week. Shrimp, sand fleas, and live baits are getting their attention.
Plug casters are catching some bluefish along with a few spanish mackerel in the early mornings.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits under the pier.
Live-baiters caught one tarpon last week.
