Topsail March 31, 2011
Thurman Vick with a 25" red drum he hooked on a white spinnerbait in a creek off the New River. Photo courtesy of Raeford Brown.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are still finding a solid black and red drum bite in the area’s mainland creeks. The fish are holding in deeper pockets back in the creeks, and fresh shrimp on bottom rigs will draw strikes from both (especially effective on the black drum). Gulp baits will also produce results with the creek drum.
Some speckled trout are holding in the creeks as well, primarily around New River, and they’ll take an interest in Gulp baits or shrimp imitations like Billy Bay Halo and Storm shrimp.
Red drum are starting to feed on the shoals around Topsail Inlet (generally larger than the creek fish—many over the slot limit). Anglers can spy the schools of feeding reds by looking for dark water on the shoals, then cast gold spoons or cut baits to the fish to score bites.
Bottom fishermen on the island’s piers are connecting with some sea mullet, spot, and pufferfish, and they’ve seen some runs of fat black drum (5-7 lbs.) as well. Surf fishermen can expect shots at the fish as the water warms up a bit. Shrimp on two-hook rigs will fool the bottom feeders.
Offshore, Gulf Stream trollers are reporting some action with wahoo and black and yellowfin tuna when they can make it out to the blue water. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures are the best baits for the blue water gamefish.
Scott Lyndon, of Emerald Isle, with a 30"+ red drum that fell for a Gulp bait in a creek near Wrightsville Beach.
Glenda, of New River Marina, reports anglers are finding some action with red drum on the shallow flats in the area. Some flounder are mixed in and becoming more active as the water warms up.
Commercial boats found some king mackerel last week, and the kings should begin moving closer to shore as April wears on and the nearshore water temperatures climb.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that there’s a solid black drum bite going on back in the area creeks. A few puppy drum are mixed in, and fresh shrimp have been producing the best results on both lately. Allowing the shrimp to drift under float rigs has been more effective than fishing them on the bottom lately.
Flounder are also becoming more active in the area creeks, and deeper holes that hold bait should have a few flatfish in them. Gulp baits worked slowly along the bottom are deadly on the early-season flounder.
Red drum are feeding on the flats near the inlets and in many of the area’s marinas. Gulp baits will tempt bites from the reds.
The speckled trout bite has been excellent up the New River lately, and shrimp imitations are drawing bites from the specks.
Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that black and red drum are still holing up in the mainland creeks in the area. A few speckled trout are in the same places. The best action has been around halfway up the creeks for anglers baiting up with fresh shrimp.
Capt. Jeff Cronk, of FishN4Life Charters, with a red drum he hooked on a Gulp pogy while sight-casting to schools of fish in the Swansboro backwaters.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are catching a few sea mullet and pufferfish while bottom fishing with fresh shrimp. If the wind shifts to the south and water temperatures begin to climb, anglers can expect better sea mullet fishing and a few black drum to begin showing up.
Steve, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some sea mullet, spot, and pufferfish on fresh shrimp. Plenty of skates and small sharks are also in the mix.
Sheryl, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are finding some small sea mullet, spot, and croaker on bottom rigs baited with shrimp. The action should only improve as April wears on and the water temperature rises.
