Topsail July 7, 2005
Eric, at New River marina, reports king mackerel and dolphin along live bottoms and artificial reefs as close as 3 miles. Grouper fishing has been good 30 miles and out and a 38 mile area gave up a 45 pound gag this week. Spanish and blues are just outside the inlet and into the waterway. River fishing has been very good for redfish, trout, and flounder as well as some spots and croakers on the bottom. A manatee was sited in a boat basin so boaters should keep an eye out for them.
Frank, at Seaview Pier, reports a little of everything with plenty of kings caught from 6 to 33 lbs. A cobia was lost and a few tarpon were jumped off as well. Spanish and blues are off the end with speckled trout, red and black drum, sea mullet, and spots are being caught on the bottom. Sheepshead are around the pilings if you bring some crabs for bait.
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that all of the area piers have been catching spots and a few blues. Sea View Pier also had sea mullets, a couple of flounder, and a few sheepshead. Piers
In the surf you can expect to find a mixed bag of sea mullet, blues, pompano, and some reds. Lee Island has been hot with both reds and ladyfish.
Inshore fishing has seen sheepshead during the day and ladyfish at night.
Lots of kings are on the beach to a 10 out. Most are schoolie kings, but there have been some bigger ones mixed in recently. King fishermen have also continued to pick up a cobia here and there.
A few dolphin have moved in closer to shore, but no great numbers of them. In the offshore range from 20 miles to 200 fathoms a few sails are starting to show up. They’re scattered, but it won’t be long and they will be inshore.
