Topsail June 2, 2011
Mark White, of Hampstead, with a cow dolphin that fell for a ballyhoo while he was trolling in 130' of water off Topsail Inlet on the "Reel Jiggy."
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that the flounder bite is improving inshore. Anglers are connecting with the flatfish around the inlets, in the marshes, and around inshore structure. They’ll fall for small live baits or Gulps worked slowly along the bottom.
Chopper bluefish are still feeding in the surf and inshore along the ICW, and they’ll attack just about anything that anglers can cast when they’re moving through.
The red drum bite is still on in the surf at the north end of Lea Island, and anglers can hook the fish on gold spoons or cut baits.
Spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches and near the inlets. Trolling Clarkspoons behind trolling weights and #1 planers is the way to put the spaniards in the box.
King mackerel have been caught from the island’s piers and offshore around WR2 over the past week, but few have been reported in between.
Dolphin are still feeding in the Gulf Stream. Anglers reported some action with them as close as 15 miles out last week, so they’re on the move inshore. Ballyhoo, cigar minnows, and live baits will all attract attention from the dolphin.
Bottom fishermen are reporting action with gag grouper just a few miles off the beaches, with some big reds and scamps coming from bottom structure in the 30-35 mile range. Both vertical jigs and a variety of natural baits will attract attention from the grouper.
Black sea bass are schooled up at bottom structure from a few miles off on out to the break. Their season opened June 1, so anglers can now feel free to take some home.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that the area’s red drum are moving into a summer feeding pattern, chasing bait on the flats behind the barrier islands from Surf City down to Figure Eight. Gulp baits and other soft plastics will tempt bites from the reds, but live menhaden have been more effective lately.
Flounder are also adopting a typical summer pattern, holding near ledges and in holes in 8-12’ of water. Live menhaden or mud minnows are the way to go for the flatfish.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding just off the beaches and inlets, but they’ll likely be pushing a bit further offshore as the water continues to warm up.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs within a few miles of the beaches. Live menhaden or other baits are top choices for the flatfish.
Fishing docks, marinas, and other structure off the ICW is producing action with flounder and red drum, and both are taking a liking to small menhaden.
Josh Bourne, of Sneads Ferry, with a 31" red drum that fell for a Redfish Magic spinnerbait in a creek near Snead's Ferry while he was fishing with his father.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that live-baiters have been hooking a few king mackerel while soaking bluefish and other baits off the end of the pier.
Plug casters are hooking up with some blues and spanish mackerel on Gotchas.
Bottom fishermen have seen some action with sea mullet, spot, and croaker, with the best fishing at night. Shrimp are the most productive baits.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking spot and a summer mixed bag of other bottom feeders on shrimp.
Live baiters had strikes from cobia and tarpon and landed some chopper bluefish last week.
Cheryl, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish (some up to chopper-size) while working Gotchas from the planks.
Bottom fishermen have had action with spot, pompano, flounder, and black and red drum over the past week. Shrimp and small live baits are producing results on the bottom.
