Topsail March 10, 2011
Cindy Smith, of Raleigh, and Jennifer King, of Sanford, with a pair of over-slot red drum they hooked on cut mullet near south Topsail while surf fishing with Derek King and Jeff Brown.
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are catching plenty of red and black drum inshore in the area, primarily up the mainland creeks. Gulp baits and cut shrimp and mullet are producing the majority of the action in the creeks.
Anglers are also connecting with the reds at inshore spots near the inlet, where Gulps have been producing the most action.
Surf anglers have been finding some schools of drum, mostly around the north end of Lea Island, and anglers can tempt them to bite gold spoons and other artificial lures.
Pier anglers are starting to catch a few pufferfish, croakers, and sea mullet, and once the surf temperature rises a few more degrees, the surf bottom fishing should improve dramatically. Bottom rigs baited with cut shrimp are the way to go in the surf.
Off the beaches, the commercial fleet is finding some king mackerel down near Frying Pan Tower, so there are some kings around if anglers are willing to run long distances to get to them. Drone spoons and dead cigar minnows will get attention from the kings.
Some wahoo should be feeding at local Gulf Stream spots as long as there’s some warm water over the break. Skirted ballyhoo will fool the ‘hoos for anglers willing to make the run.
Glenda, of New River Marina, reports that anglers are catching some red drum and speckled trout in the backwaters off the river and ICW, though the trout must be released. A variety of lures will fool both fish, with scented soft baits like Gulps producing the most action.
Giggers are finding some flounder, so there are some inshore, but it’s difficult to get them to bite in the cool, early-season water.
Off the beaches, boaters are finding some gray trout at bottom structure off Onslow Beach. They’ll fall for jigging lures like Stingsilvers.
Commercial boats are finding some action with triggerfish and other bottom feeders at offshore structure.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that there’s been some action with red drum in the local creeks and marinas over the past month. Plenty of slot-sized reds are mixed in with smaller fish, and they’re taking an interest in cut shrimp and mullet or Gulp baits.
Taylor Perdue with a 26 lb. red grouper he hooked on a Blue Water Candy Roscoe Jig while bottom fishing 54 miles off New Topsail Inlet in early December aboard the "Reel Dream."
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that anglers are catching good numbers of red drum right now in the backs of the area creeks, though the fish can be tough to locate. Once anglers do find them, however, they should be in for some fast action. Cut shrimp and mullet have been attracting the most attention from the reds.
Some speckled trout are feeding in the creeks as well. The trout bite should only get better as the water temperatures warm up over the next few weeks. Gulp baits, Storm shrimp, and curlytail grubs will all fool the specks, and anglers should fish slowly along the bottom for best results.
Earl, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with dogfish, sharpnose sharks, and some pufferfish on baited bottom rigs.
The water temperature is around 52 degrees, and when it reaches the upper 50’s, anglers can expect to see improved action with the sea mullet and puffers.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are catching some dogfish, skates, and croakers from the pier on shrimp and other baits. Once the water temperature climbs to the mid-upper 50’s (likely in the next few weeks if the weather stays warm), the sea mullet bite should turn on and anglers will likely see some red and black drum as well.
