Topsail – July 3, 2014
David Batson, of Burgaw, NC, with an 8 lb. sheepshead that bit a live fiddler crab near some structure at Topsail Beach while he was fishing on the “Seabacon.”
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that Topsail Island surf casters are hooking some spot and black drum on shrimp and bloodworms.
The spanish mackerel bite has been excellent lately for boaters fishing within a few miles of land, with particularly hot action around Rich’s Inlet last week. Trolled Clarkspoons are fooling the majority of the spaniards, but anglers can also hook up while casting metal lures like diamond jigs around fish chasing bait on the surface and working birds.
King mackerel have pushed into the five mile range, where they’re feeding around bait schools and high-relief bottom structure. Live baits like menhaden are top choices for the kings, but anglers can also hook up while pulling dead cigar minnows and lures like diving plugs when the live baits are tough to come by.
Dolphin have been feeding as close as the 10-20 mile range, and anglers who can find schools of bait or floating objects in clean water should be able to find some dolphin from there out to the Gulf Stream. Live baits will also attract plenty of attention from the dolphin, but anglers can cover more water while searching for active fish when pulling dead ballyhoo or cigar minnows.
The dolphin bite remains strong in the Stream as well, where anglers are hooking the fish on skirted ballyhoo around local spots like the Same Ol’ and Swansboro Hole.
Brewster Humphries, of Beulaville, NC, with a citation speckled trout that bit a MirrOlure She Pup in the New River while he was fishing with Capt. Allen Jernigan of Breadman Ventures.
Inshore, the speckled trout bite has been solid at spots off the ICW and New River recently.
Flounder fishing has also been solid inshore lately, with the best action around docks and other structure along the ICW. Live baits like menhaden and mud minnows are tough to beat for the flatfish.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around docks, bridges, and other structure inshore, where they’ll take an interest in shrimp, fiddler crabs, and sand fleas.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that anglers are seeing some solid topwater red drum action in the bays and marshes off the ICW right now. The fish are a bit scattered, but biting readily when anglers find a group.
Speckled trout are also taking an interest in topwater plugs inshore, but the bite’s been tough to time. They’ve been feeding at dawn one day and noon the next, so being where the fish are when they want to eat is key to success. MirrOlure Top Pups, She Dogs, and other topwaters have been fooling most of the reds and specks.
Flounder are on the feed all over the inshore waters and biting soft plastics laced with Pro-Cure Super Gel.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that anglers are hooking some flounder around docks and other inshore structure on live menhaden.
Red drum are feeding in area marshes, but they’ve been tough to pattern recently. Live baits are the best bets for the reds, but they’ll bite topwater plugs and soft plastics as well.
Spanish mackerel are feeding just outside the inlets and along the beachfront, where anglers can hook them on trolled Clarkspoons or while casting metal lures at schools feeding on the surface.
Sharks are feeding in the same areas as the mackerel and will bite live and cut baits readily.
Jim, of Plan 9 charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some king mackerel and dolphin while pulling baits at spots 10+ miles offshore. Most are falling for cigar minnows and ballyhoo on dead bait rigs.
The spanish mackerel bite has been excellent along the beachfront recently, with New River Inlet a particular hotspot over the past week. The spaniards are taking an interest in 00 and 0 Clarkspoons pulled behind #1 and #2 planers.
Sharks are also feeding within a short distance of land, and anglers drifting dead or cut baits on wire leaders shouldn’t have much trouble hooking up with one.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some spot, sea mullet, and red and black drum on bottom rigs baited with shrimp, bloodworms, and cut baits.
Some spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs that anglers are working from the pier.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking spot, sea mullet, croaker, pigfish, and more on shrimp and bloodworms.
Some red drum are biting shrimp and cut baits on the bottom as well.
Anglers fishing live shrimp near the pier are hooking some speckled trout.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that croaker, spot, and sea mullet are biting bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms in the evening hours. A few black drum are falling for shrimp as well.
Plug casters are hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Anglers have also landed some keeper flounder on live and strip baits fished near the pilings recently.
