Topsail – May 12, 2016
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf anglers are connecting with good numbers of both sea mullet and black drum. The fish are eating cut shrimp and Fishbites on simple two hook bottom rigs. They are being found inside the second bar in both the trough and rips on the outside bar, and the best fishing has been two hours on either side of the high tide.
Red drum are holding near New Topsail Inlet. Boaters have been catching most of these fish, but shore bound anglers are catching a few around the dredge dock. They are eating a wide variety of artificial baits and both live and cut bait.
Anglers have begun to report catching sheepshead around the Surf City swing bridge. Fiddler crabs are arguably the best bait to catch the fish, but they will also take a piece of fresh shrimp. Keeping the bait close to the pilings is the key to catching these fish, so adjust the size of the lead to the amount of current. Modified Carolina rigs and dropper loops are efficient ways to connect.
Spanish mackerel are here, and anglers are reporting fish in the 3-5 mile range. Clarkspoons fished behind planers and small Yo-Zuri deep divers are the go-to methods of trolling. When the fish are schooled up on the surface, a diamond jig or a Sea Striker Jig Fish will typically do the trick. There are still a few bonito hanging around Topsail, but look for them to leave the area over the next week or so.
Bluefish are plentiful in the same areas as the spanish mackerel. They will eat any of the same offerings used for spanish, and most of the fish are in the 1-3 lb. range. King mackerel are still holding a bit further offshore near the 30 mile line. Naked and skirted ballyhoo fished on down riggers is working well on the kings. Look for these fish to start moving closer to shore as the water temperature rises above 70.
James Grebe, from Lillington, caught this 28 lb. amberjack on an Offshore Angler 9 deep diving lure while trolling 22 miles off Topsail Inlet.
Chad, of Lucky Dawg Guide Service, reports that the spanish bite is turning hot with some big citation-size fish being caught. Trolling small to medium Yo-Zuri deep divers and Blue Water Candy Double Shots and Spanish Daisy Chains are putting fish in the boat. Casting Blue Water Candy Sparkle Jigs and Cast Masters to surface-feeding spanish has also been working well.
Cobia are starting to show, and anglers can look for them around bait balls or following sea turtles and rays swimming in the ocean. Blue Water Candy jigs such as the Grinning Gus, spire heads, and tear drop heads work well.
Red drum and trout are providing great action in the backwaters, and in marshes and creeks all along the ICW. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and gold spoons (like the Cajun Thunder Flats Intruder) have proven successful for anglers. Live bait such as mud minnows and finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs will work nicely as well.
Flounder are on the move and can be found in the same areas as the reds, and they will hit the same baits as the drum (minus the topwater plugs). Sheepshead and black drum can be found around the bridges and other structure along the waterway, with fresh shrimp and fiddler crabs doing the trick.
Casey Meadows, of Wilmington, with a 35 red drum she caught while fishing in Sneads Ferry.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that spanish mackerel are plentiful in 35-42’ of water. New Topsail Inlet is producing good numbers of fish from the sea buoy all the way to the Jolly Roger Pier. The fish are in the 14-18” range and holding in the cleaner water. Clarkspoons in several sizes are working well right now, with “00,” “0,” and “1” sizes the most productive. The spanish are taking advantage of the larger baits in the area and responding to larger spoons.
There are plenty of bluefish around eating the same offerings as the spanish.
Allison Coble, from Clemmons, SC, with a black drum she landed using a Pro-Cure scented soft plastic on a Blue Water Candy jig head. She was fishing behind Figure 8 Island with Capt. Trevor Smith.
Jamie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with spanish mackerel and bluefish when the water is clear. The fish are responding well to white-bodied Gotcha plugs with both red and yellow heads.
Bottom fishermen are seeing a mixed bag of sea mullet and black drum, and they are taking both Fishbites and fresh shrimp.
A few pompano are beginning to show up, and their numbers will increase in the upcoming weeks.
Terry, of Surf City Pier, reports that blues and spanish are being caught all day long. They are taking a liking to both metal jigs and plugs. Tsunami Pro Zig jigs and Gotcha plugs in white, red, gold, and orange are producing catches of blues and spaniards. The incoming tide has proved to be a little more productive so far.
Sea mullet are being caught in all size ranges using shrimp on both sides of the high tide.
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that black drum up to 9.5 lbs. are being caught. In the mix there has also been some sea mullet and gray trout caught on the bottom. Clam-flavored Fishbites, bloodworms, and fresh cut shrimp have been working the best on simple bottom rigs.
The spanish mackerel and bluefish have been feeding well, and casting diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs off the end of the pier is producing the best results on these sight feeders.
There have been some sea turtle and large sting rays spotted lately, so cobia are expected to start showing up around the pier soon.
