Added on Thursday, May 22, 2014  Fish Post

Topsail – May 22, 2014

Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are starting to see decent numbers of sheepshead on the ocean piers. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs dangled tight to the pilings are the way to hook up with the sheeps. They haven’t made much of a showing inshore yet, but it shouldn’t be long.

Sea mullet, black drum, and some healthy pompano are taking an interest in bottom rigs off the piers, and anglers are also hooking them in the surf. Shrimp and sand fleas will fool all three crustacean lovers.

Bluefish and spanish mackerel are feeding just offshore, where anglers are hooking them on diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs they’re working from the piers. Boaters are getting in on the action around the inlets and within a few miles of the beachfront while trolling Clarkspoons and diving plugs or casting metal jigs at fish feeding on the surface.

A few Atlantic bonito are still chasing bait around nearshore structure, but the action seems to be petering out as warming water chases the fish north.

Inshore, the flounder bite is finally turning on, and anglers are hooking the fish in the marshes and around inshore structure. Many are still on the small side, but the keeper ratio will improve as the water continues to warm. Live mud minnows and Gulp baits are fooling most of the fish.

Red drum are feeding in the bays and creeks off the ICW and New River, and anglers are hooking solid numbers on a variety of baits and lures.

There’s also still a good speckled trout bite going on the in the creeks, but not many anglers have been targeting the specks as the season remains closed until June 15.

Offshore, bottom fishermen are hooking plenty of black sea bass at structure from just off the beaches to out near the break.

Grouper fishing has been good in the 30-40 mile range, with plenty of smaller bottom dwellers in the mix. Squid and cut baits will fool the sea bass and smaller fish, with whole and live baits the best bet for the groupers.

The gaffer dolphin bite has been going strong for boats making the run to the Gulf Stream, with most of the fish falling for skirted ballyhoo. Anglers are also still hooking some wahoo in the blue water, both on ballyhoo and baitless high-speed lures.

Daniel, of Flat Foot Charters, reports that anglers were still catching some Atlantic bonito off New River Inlet last week, but they’ll likely be moving on in the coming weeks. Spanish mackerel (some to 5+ lbs.) are feeding around Divers Rock and the other areas where anglers have been finding the bonito, and anglers are hooking good numbers while trolling diving lures and casting diamond jigs around working birds and fish feeding on the surface.

Some king mackerel are also in the same areas and will bite similar lures as the spaniards or larger lures and baits.

Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs from the planks.

Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet and small flounder on shrimp. A few over-slot red drum have also been caught and released recently.

Ed, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers have been connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.

Some larger chopper blues (to 12+ lbs.) and a 13 lb. false albacore bit live baits on king rigs last week.

Some spot, pigfish, and sea mullet are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.

Robbie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that some spot, croaker, and smaller flounder are biting bottom rigs during the daylight hours. Sea mullet have been mixed in in the evenings.

Plug casters are finding decent action with bluefish and spanish mackerel in the mornings and late afternoons.