Added on Thursday, May 22, 2008  Gary Hurley

Topsail May 22, 2008

Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that pier and surf anglers are landing some whiting, black drum, pompano, and bluefish (ranging from school-sized to over 10 lbs.). Shrimp are producing the most action, but the bluefish prefer cut baits.

A few kings are coming from the piers, along with plenty of blues and spanish mackerel.

Inshore, anglers are landing speckled trout around the Surf City Bridge, private docks, and the inlet. Gulp shrimp and Bass Assassins are drawing most of the attention from the trout, but anglers are also landing a few on topwater plugs.

Red drum are feeding in creek mouths off the ICW, and some schools are also cruising the marshes. They’ll fall for the same baits the trout will.

Just off the beaches, boats trolling Clarkspoons and diving plugs are catching plenty of spanish and bluefish.

Gag grouper are feeding closer to shore at structure between 18-20 miles off the beach. Cigar minnows and other natural baits will tempt the gags, and anglers can also hook up on butterfly jigs.

Small kings are feeding around the same structure as the grouper.

Some dolphin have begun to move inshore of the Gulf Stream, and anglers have landed some nice fish recently as close as 30 miles offshore.

 

Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that New River speckled trout fishing remains solid. Most of the fish are in the 2-4 lb. class, with a few up to 6+ lbs. mixed in. The action has been solid throughout the river from downtown Jacksonville down to Sneads Ferry. Billy Bay Halo shrimp and suspending MR 17 and 19 MirrOlures are drawing plenty of bites. When the lures won’t produce, live shrimp are the go-to baits.

Some fat reds are also feeding along the river banks and around structure. The reds will respond to the same lures as the trout, as well as to topwater plugs.

 

Eric, of New River Marina, reports that chopper bluefish, spanish mackerel, and a few kings are feeding along the beaches. Trolling dead cigar minnows, spoons, or Yo-Zuri diving plugs will get attention from all three species.

Grouper are feeding closer to shore-at structure 10-15 miles off the beach. Cigar minnows and spanish sardines are top choices when it comes to grouper baits. Some large sea bass are inhabiting the same structure as the grouper.

Dolphin and wahoo have begun to move slightly inshore of the Gulf Stream, and boats may find them anywhere from 30 miles on out. Ballyhoo trolled under Sea Witches will draw bites from both species.

Inshore, anglers are landing trout and red drum in the river, creeks, and ICW. Live shrimp, Gulp baits, or DOA and Billy Bay shrimp imitations should get their attention.

Anglers are starting to land decent numbers of flounder throughout the area. Most are small, but the larger flounder should begin feeding more heavily soon. Live baits fished on Carolina rigs are the top choices for the flatfish.

Anglers are hooking up with black drum near the 172 Bridge and other structure. Cut shrimp fished on two-hook bottom rigs will draw strikes from them.

 

Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are landing plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish (ranging from school-sized up to 10+ lbs.). Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs are producing the majority of the spanish and smaller blues. Anglers are also hooking up with the blues on bottom rigs and king rigs.

Bottom fishermen are catching a few whiting after dark, and the pier has seen a small run of spot over the past week. Shrimp and bloodworms will get strikes from both.

 

Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking whiting while baiting up with shrimp.

Plug casters are finding action with spanish mackerel and bluefish, and large Hatteras blues are attacking live baits on king rigs.

 

Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and schoolie bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs.

Larger chopper blues are biting bottom rigs, king rigs, and occasionally plugs.

Bottom fishermen are landing black drum and whiting on shrimp.