Topsail May 24, 2007
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that huge numbers of spanish mackerel are just outside the inlet. Both Clark spoons and Crystal Minnow plugs have been tempting the spanish to strike, and the fish are running large (between 2 and 5 lbs.).
Big chopper bluefish are feeding in the same area. They’ll want a larger meal, so pull some larger spoons and plugs to get their attention.
Cobia and kings are feeding along the beach.
At Diver’s Rock, boats are still finding decent numbers of bonito. Diamond jigs seem to be the most effective artificial lures on these speedy striped fish.
King mackerel are also holding out around 20 miles from shore, and they are plentiful.
In the surf, anglers are catching whiting and red drum at the north end of Topsail. Along the southern part of the island, the whiting are mixed in with black drum, which are also biting at the northern end of Lee Island. Shrimp should produce bites from all these surf bottom feeders.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that New River trout fishing is on fire. Clients are averaging 20-25 speckled trout per day, with some running 6-7 lbs. Billy Bay Halo Shrimp are producing lots of nice trout, but anglers are also scoring with Old Bayside curly tail mud minnows. On calm mornings, larger fish can be targeted with topwater plugs.
Some stout black drum (up to 5 lbs.) have also been hitting in creeks off the main river.
Off the beach, there are 4-5 lb. flounder stacked up on ledges and live bottoms around 10 miles from shore. A hand-sized pogie or spot on a Carolina rig will get plenty of strikes from the hungry flatfish. Use a larger weight than normal for this deep water flounder fishery.
Wayne, of Sea View Pier, reports that the king mackerel bite continues when the weather and water are good. Kings up to 14 lbs. have been caught from the pier over the last two weeks, and bluefish baits have gotten most of the king strikes.
Chopper blues (from 8-12 lbs.) have been hitting live baits and attacking Gotcha plugs.
The spanish mackerel bite has been good lately, with most fish averaging around 2 lbs. Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs are fooling most of the spanish into striking.
The whiting have been turning on with incoming tides in the late afternoon and evenings. They are running large and showing a preference for shrimp fished on bottom rigs.
Flounder, some large and some small, are hitting live baits such as mud minnows and finger mullet.
The water is 70 degrees.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that live bait fishermen have caught several cobia (up to 50 lbs.) over the past week. A 25 lb. cobia also ate a diamond jig and was landed on spanish mackerel tackle.
The spanish bite has been solid for those casting diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs.
Chopper bluefish are also taking an interest in the diamond jigs and providing anglers with long battles on light tackle.
Whiting have been biting shrimp on bottom rigs at night. Some black drum and pompano are also hitting shrimp.
Anglers fishing small live baits are catching a few flounder.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that red drum and speckled trout are feeding in creeks off the New River. Live shrimp are the top bait for both, but a wide variety of soft plastic baits will suffice when shrimp aren’t available.
The Sneads Ferry Bridge has been producing some flounder for anglers fishing live mud minnows on the bottom.
Black drum (in the 2 lb. class) are also holding around the bridge, and they’re responding well to cut shrimp and clams on bottom rigs.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and an occasional bonito are feeding just off the beach. Anglers can hook up by casting Gotcha plugs to breaking schools of fish, or by trolling Clark spoons when the fish aren’t actively feeding on the surface.
Cobia and king mackerel are also holding close to the beach. Anglers are scoring with kings and cobia by slow trolling live pogies.
The grouper have moved in close to the beach, and good catches have come from as near as 12 miles offshore. Boats will find mostly gags this far inshore. Black sea bass are holding on much of the same structure the grouper are, and they will hit the same baits.
Gulf Stream action remains hot at most of the local spots. Dolphin, tuna, and wahoo are all feeding strong, and some blue marlin are also cruising local waters to provide thrills for the blue water fisherman.
