Topsail November 13, 2008
Candy Taylor and her husband with a 31” red drum that was caught and released on a finger mullet while fishing in the Topsail surf.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that the speckled trout bite is getting hot in the surf. Anglers are catching big numbers of specks while casting MirrOlures and other baits to deep sloughs on the oceanfront. The best action has been toward the north end of the island, but some fish are coming from all along the beach.
Along with the trout, surf fishermen are landing good numbers of whiting and black drum (some monsters including a 71 pounder weighed in this week) while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Along with landing specks, black drum, and whiting, the pier anglers are still picking up some spot, flounder, gray trout, and bluefish.
Inshore, the red drum bite has been on fire in the sound. Live baits like finger mullet are nearly irresistible to the reds, and anglers can also hook up while casting Gulps and other artificials.
Offshore, the king mackerel bite has been solid lately between 12-25 miles. Trolling live baits or dead baits like cigar minnows will tempt the kings to bite.
Boats making it out to the Gulf Stream are finding good numbers of wahoo at the local spots and around the Big Rock. Ballyhoo under skirted lures are the best baits for the wahoo.
Stan Mark with a 6.2 lb. flounder caught on a live finger mullet while fishing from Surf City Pier.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that bottom fishermen are still coming home with some nice grouper catches, although the best action has been a bit further offshore in the 20-30 mile range. Both red and gag grouper are filling the fish boxes, and anglers are hooking them on cigar minnows, Boston mackerel, and other baits.
The king mackerel bite has been hot at Christmas Rock and spots further offshore. Dead cigar minnows and live baits are both producing action with the kings, and there are still plenty of pogies schooling in the river for anglers searching for bait.
Just off the beaches, the nearshore ledges in 25-40′ of water are producing solid action with gray trout, black sea bass, and false albacore. Jigging lures like diamond jigs and Stingsilvers worked vertically over the structure are tempting them to bite.
Inshore, the flounder bite has been good in the inlet lately. Small live baits on Carolina rigs are tough to beat for the flounder, though they’ll fall for Gulp baits as well.
The red drum and speckled trout bite is still strong around structure and creeks off the New River. Live shrimp are surefire producers on both fish, but Gulps, topwaters, and other artificial lures will produce as well.
Bottom fishermen are catching plenty of black drum around the 172 Bridge, with most running fairly small. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will fool the drum.
Capt. Brent Banks, of Specktacular Charters out of Jacksonville, with a 7.5 lb. speckled trout caught in the White Oak River on a live shrimp beneath a Billy Bay float.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing in the area is improving as the water cools down. The fish are feeding in deep holes in the creeks and the New River, and live shrimp fished under floats are the most productive baits.
Artificial lures like MirrOlures, as well as shrimp imitations like those from Billy Bay, Storm, and Powerbait, are effective on the trout as well.
Terry, of Surf City Pier, reports that the spot are still biting. Bloodworms, either real or artificial, are the top producers for the spots.
Anglers baiting bottom rigs with shrimp are hooking up with whiting and some black drum, while those fishing live baits are catching speckled trout and some undersized flounder.
Some bluefish are coming over the rails on a variety of baits.
Glenda, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing a lot of big whiting.
Black drum, red drum, as well as a few spot, flounder, and trout, are also falling for shrimp and other baits on bottom rigs.
Jonathan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that whiting have been biting shrimp and bloodworms at night. During the day, there are also spot, black drum, and bluefish striking the bottom rigs. Live baits are producing some action with speckled trout.
