Topsail June 30, 2011
Taylor Perdue with a gaffer dolphin that fell for a ballyhoo/sea witch combo offshore of the Swansboro Hole in 800' of water while he was trolling with Scott Erickson and Sue Andrews on the "Reel Return II."
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf and pier fishermen are hooking up with some sea mullet, spot, and big pompano (with several 2+ lb. citations). Shrimp are fooling most of the fish, with sand fleas more effective on the pomps.
Some red and black drum are feeding in the surf around the south end of the island and across the inlet at Lea Island. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits will fool both.
The red bite has also been excellent in the marshes behind Lea Island. Topwater plugs, Gulp baits, live baits, and more will attract attention from the reds inshore.
Flounder fishing has also been solid inshore, and anglers are finding the flatfish in the inlet and around creekmouths. Gulp baits and live finger mullet, menhaden, or mud minnows are tough to beat for the flounder.
Good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding just off the inlets and along the beach. Anglers are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons from boats and while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs from the piers.
Amberjacks are schooled up at high-relief structure from the 5 mile range on out to the break. Anglers can tempt the jacks to bite live baits, topwater plugs, and vertical jigs.
The king mackerel and dolphin bite nearshore has been very quiet lately, but anglers are catching some stout dolphin and some kings while trolling ballyhoo in the blue water.
Bottom fishermen are finding action with keeper black sea bass from around structure in the 5-25 mile range. They’ll fall for squid and cut baits on bottom rigs or small vertical jigs.
Some solid gag grouper fishing has been reported by anglers hitting spots in the 18 mile range. Vertical jigs and live baits are top choices for the grouper.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that there was an excellent spanish mackerel bite (with some fish 3-4 lbs.) just off Topsail Inlet last week. However, the inlet is shoaled up and the channel buoys are out of place, so boaters need to use a lot of caution when traversing it. Rich’s Inlet has been a better choice lately. The spaniards are falling for Clarkspoons trolled behind #1 planers.
Phil Wilks, of Huntington, WV, with a well over-slot red drum that fell for a live menhaden near Rich's Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Wayne Crisco of Last Resort Charters.
Black sea bass (with some keepers) are schooled up at the tire reef and will attack a variety of baits and lures.
Inshore, there’s been solid action with over-slot red drum around the north end of Figure Eight. Live finger mullet and menhaden are both fooling the reds.
Some flounder are mixed in around Rich’s, and anglers are also finding a solid flounder bite while fishing 4-5’ of water off the ends of ICW docks on the incoming tides. Finger mullet have been more effective on the flatfish than menhaden lately.
A few smaller speckled trout have been feeding in the same areas as the flounder.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that the red drum fishing has been excellent near Rich’s Inlet lately (with many 30”+ fish). Live menhaden and finger mullet are both attracting attention from the reds.
Flounder fishing is also getting good (with more keepers than throwbacks these days). Live baits are key to success with the flounder, and the best action lately has been in the lower portions of area tidal creeks.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that a few spot and some croaker are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms. Some sea mullet are joining the action at night.
A few flounder are falling for live baits beneath the pier.
Anglers fishing large live baits from the end of the pier hooked several tarpon last week.
Charlie Kohnle, from Dudley Shoals, NC, with a 28.5" red drum that fell for a live pogy in a foot of water near Surf City while he was fishing with Capt. Daniel Jarvis of Flat Foot Fishing Charters.
Jan, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some spot and croaker.
Puppy drum are feeding in the surf zone, and they’ll take an interest in live and cut baits or shrimp.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits fished next to the pilings.
Plug casters are connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish early and late in the day.
Alex, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that bluefish and spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier early and late in the day.
Anglers are hooking some spot and sea mullet on bloodworms on bottom rigs.
Sheepshead are feeding next to the pier’s pilings and taking an interest in sand fleas.
Live-baiters landed a 31 lb. king mackerel from the end of the pier last week.
