Topsail June 7, 2012
Suzie Humphrey, of Hampstead, with a 3.25 lb. pompano caught off Surf City Pier.
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that the red drum action is still solid along the shoals of New Topsail Inlet, and surf casters are hooking them from Topsail and Lea Island. Anglers are also finding fish in New River Inlet. Cut baits and finger mullet are producing most of the action with the reds.
Surf casters are hooking decent numbers of sea mullet and pompano from the beaches along the rest of the island. Shrimp and sand fleas are producing most of the action with both.
There are still plenty of bluefish feeding just off the beaches, and the spanish mackerel should return when the water cleans up. Casting Gotcha plugs from the piers and trolling Clarkspoons from boats will appeal to both.
Inshore, the flounder bite has been solid around docks and other structure off the ICW and for anglers drifting through New River and Topsail Inlets. Live baits and Gulps on jigheads or bucktails will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings inshore and around the ocean piers. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs fished tight to the structure will fool the sheeps in the ocean or the backwaters.
Offshore, the dolphin bite is still excellent along the edge of the Gulf Stream, where anglers are putting together solid catches on skirted ballyhoo and other baits.
Allen, of Breadman Ventures, reports that some big sheepshead are feeding around the bridges in the area, and anglers are hooking them on live fiddler crabs dangled next to the structure.
Flounder fishing has slowed down a bit around the full moon, but the fish that anglers are catching have been larger than normal. Casting Gulp baits on Prototype jigheads near drop-offs and potholes in the marshes is producing most of the action.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes off the New River and ICW near Sneads Ferry. They’ve been quite willing to bite topwater plugs lately, and the fast-moving lures are excellent search baits to find feeding fish. Gulp baits and other soft plastics will tempt bites from the reds when they don’t want to commit to the topwaters.
Jacob Zerkle with a 22" flounder that bit a 4" Gulp bait on a 1/8 oz. Prototype jighead. He was fishing near Sneads Ferry with Capt. Allen Jernigan of Breadman Ventures.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that sheepshead and black drum are feeding around the area bridges, where fiddler crabs will tempt them to bite. The bite changes with the tide, so anglers should experiment with different tidal stages until they find the action.
Red drum are feeding heavily in the surf and are scattered along docks around Figure Eight. Live or cut baits are the way to hook up with the reds.
Flounder fishing is still decent (with plenty of keepers but not too many big fish). Live finger mullet, mud minnows, and Gulp baits are flatfish favorites.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are still connecting with a few chopper bluefish on live baits fished from the end of the pier.
Some bluefish and spanish mackerel are biting Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs worked from the planks.
Live shrimp fished under the pier are producing some keeper speckled trout and flounder.
Steve, of Surf City Pier, reports that some sea mullet and spot are taking an interest in shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs.
Bluefish (most 2-3 lbs.) are falling for bottom rigs and Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Anglers are also landing some keeper flounder on small live baits fished on the bottom.
Robbie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are seeing some decent spot action during the nighttime hours, mostly on shrimp and bloodworms. Some black and red drum are also biting shrimp and live baits on bottom rigs.
Bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs in the morning hours, but the bite hasn’t been lasting long.
Live-baiters are hooking some chopper blues on king rigs.
