Topsail May 27, 2004
Chris, at East Coast Sports, reports that all of the piers have been seeing plenty of blues and spanish. They have been picking at other species, such as mullet, spots, pompano, drum, and sheepshead. Surf City Pier reported 3 kings caught this past week, and Seaview Pier reported one king. In the surf from New River Inlet to Surf City, there have been a few sea mullet in the sloughs. In the surf from Surf City to Topsail Beach, there have been a few mullet as well as good numbers of big pompano caught on sand fleas.
The inlets have seen a few sea mullet, blues, and red drum. There are also a few red drum still in the creeks. Sea mullet have been caught from the southend. Try the canals that have lots of tide flow at night. Flounder continue to be plentiful in the inlet as well as in the creek mouths; however, the majority of these fish continue to be 13 inches.
There are tons of spanish just off of the beach, especially just outside Rich’s inlet. No bonito reports came in this week. Kings are on the beach and have been caught at 23 mile rock and the 200-200 ledge. Rich’s Inlet has been doing well. Kings have also been doing well at WR-2. Spoons have been working best as they seem to be snubbing their nose at live bait. The dolphin have been at the Big Rock in full force.
Josh, at Seaview Pier, reports that on Sunday the pier brought in their second king of the year. The fish was caught by Mike Fox, of Siler City, and weighed 19 lbs. 2 oz. They have also lost a couple of kings this past week. The pier has also been seeing a bunch of spots, with an occasional catch of drum, blues, and spanish.
Dave, of the Vonda Kay Headboat, reports that offshore has been producing a little bit of everything. There have been a few grouper, a few beeliners, a few sea bass, and a few grunts. There have also been a lot of pink snappers being caught. The catch has been a little unpredictable, with one day producing lots of beeliners, and then the next day they’ll find no beeliners but a number of kings and a few dolphin. Be prepared to move around and try different spots daily.
Eric, at New River Marina, reports that speckled trout are around and are biting topwater baits as well as live shrimp. The flounder are showing up, but they are all small so far. Spanish and bluefish are being trolled up just off the beaches, and the spot/croaker bite has been very good with one report of a 50 fish day. There have been a few black drum caught in the New River bridge area. Only a few red drum have been caught, and the sheepshead bite has been slow so far. Few boats were able to get offshore this week.
Lynn, at Sneads Ferry Campground, reports kings have moved into the 10-12 mile range. Further out to around the Swansboro Hole the dolphin bite has been good on blue/white and pink/white Hookup lures with ballyhoo. However, the tuna bite has slowed. Speckled trout are being caught in the surf on live shrimp and Mirrolures, and a few redfish are biting in the river. The flounder in the area are still small, but sizes should improve. A 69 lb. black drum was caught off of the campground pier. Mike Brandonburg, from Stem, NC, took 45 minutes to haul the fish in.
