Topsail July 8, 2004
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that each of the three piers had at least one king caught this past week. They have also been picking up a few spots, mullet, blues, spanish, and flounder, but overall the pier action has been fairly slow. The red fish action is hot close to the inlet. Try using Tsunami plastics or menhaden to target this species. The reds have also been strong in the ICW. There have been reports of big schools of reds (100 or so fish) mulling around. Look for them toward the 98 and below marker in the ICW.
There’s plenty of bait just outside the Sailboat Hole. Several catches of kings have been reported coming from AR362. There have also been some kings and big inshore dolphin at Christmas Rock. To target dolphin, look to fish about 10 miles off (try 9 Mile Rock). Further offshore, the action has been mainly wahoos and dolphin.
Frank, at Seaview Fishing Pier, reports a slow bite this week with 5 to 6 lb. spanish mackerel hitting the live bait king rigs and bluefish hitting plugs. There have been tarpon hookups on live bait, but none were beached this week. Flounder are coming off the bottom and taking live baits, preferably mullet minnows.
Eric, at New River Marina, reports that the speckled trout bite has slowed significantly, but small red drum and flounder have picked up the slack in the river. Black drum and sheepshead are being caught around the bridge on crabs. There has also been a good drum bite in the surf. Just off the beach, the spanish mackerel are still around biting trolled Clark spoons. King mackerel are being caught from the beach to the artificial reefs, and they are hitting live or dead baits.
