Topsail June 10, 2010
Todd Pulliam and family with a 6 lb. flounder, a 4 lb. speckled trout, and several other flounder (out of over 20) they hooked on live pogies while fishing some inshore structure with Capt. Wayne Crisco of Last Resort Charters out of Topsail Island.
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that the dolphin and king mackerel bite has been excellent just offshore. The dolphin are still mostly slinger-sized, but they’re getting larger and more numerous by the week. Structure in the 5-15 mile range is producing the most action, and most boats are hooking up while trolling dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo, though live pogies will also produce.
The grouper bite’s been solid around structure 25-30 miles off the beach. Most anglers have been drifting and jigging for the fish lately, but anchoring up and bottom fishing with sardines, cigar minnows, and cut baits will also produce.Â
Boats are hooking into the larger gaffer dolphin from 40 miles on out to the Stream. A few wahoo are in the mix as well, and both fish are falling for ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures.
Closer to the beaches, the bluefish and spanish mackerel bite is still on within a few miles of shore. Anglers on the piers are also hooking up when the clean water moves towards the beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons and diving lures is producing most of the action for boaters, while pier anglers are hooking up while casting Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Surf fishing has been producing good numbers of whiting and bluefish with a few red and black drum mixed in. Shrimp and cut baits are drawing the most attention in the suds.
There’s been an excellent large red drum bite for anglers fishing from the north end of Lea Island. The fish are falling for gold spoons, cut baits, finger mullet, and live mud minnows.
Inshore, anglers are finding plenty of red drum action in the creeks and the marshes behind Lea Island. Live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs, and more are fooling the reds.
Speckled trout are feeding around the bridges and will take an interest in live shrimp or soft plastic baits.
The flounder bite is heating up inshore as well, and most anglers are taking the fish on Carolina-rigged live baits or on Gulps.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around the bridges and other hard structure inshore, and they will take an interest in shrimp, crabs, or other crustacean baits.
Jake Schoolfield with a 31" red drum that fell for a live crab in the surf at Lea Island while he was fishing with his father.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that there’s been excellent fishing for gaffer dolphin out around the Big Rock and other local Gulf Stream spots.
Smaller dolphin are feeding as far inshore as Christmas Rock, where they’re mixed in with good numbers of king mackerel. Dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows or live pogies will fool both fish.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with grouper and black sea bass at structure starting in the 10 mile range.
Spanish mackerel, a few more kings, and plenty of bluefish are feeding along the beaches. Anglers can hook the spanish and blues while trolling Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers or by casting small metal lures to the breaking schools.
Inshore, the red drum are still working their summer haunts in the bays and creeks. Anglers are hooking them while casting topwater plugs, Gulps and other scented soft plastics, and more.
The speckled trout bite is good, but it’s not great. Most of the fish are coming from inshore structure like bridges and the area’s creeks, and live shrimp are the way to fool them.
Flounder fishing has been excellent around the inlet and the bridges recently, and both live baits and Gulps are fooling the fish.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that the flounder bite has been excellent lately (with several 6-7 lb. fish this week). Peanut pogies on Carolina rigs are fooling most of the fish, and deeper holes, particularly around structure like docks, are producing most of the action.
There’s also been a decent speckled trout bite in many of the same areas, and the trout are falling for live pogies and shrimp.
Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that the red drum action’s been hot lately, but anglers have to stay on the move to find a consistent bite, hitting a variety of areas until they find good numbers of fish. Live pogies and Gulp baits are producing most of the red action.
Off the beaches, king mackerel (to 30 lbs.) and cobia (to 40+ lbs.) are feeding from the inlets to the 15 mile range. Live pogies are attracting plenty of attention from both.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some spot and bluefish along with a few flounder. Shrimp are producing most of the action.
The sheepshead bite has been solid for anglers dangling sand fleas next to the pilings.
Steve, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing a typical summer mix of whiting, spot, bluefish, and a few black drum, primarily for anglers baiting up with shrimp.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits fished on the bottom.
Cindy, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish, mostly on Gotchas. Both are running on the large side.
Bottom fishermen are picking up some croaker, spot, and smaller blues.
