Topsail October 11, 2007
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that inshore anglers are finding good action with flounder and red drum in the creeks and shallows, as well as near the inlets. Carolina-rigged live baits have been the best producers lately, but the fish will also fall for Gulp baits.
Surf anglers are catching decent numbers of reds, although most are still feeding inshore. Pompano, whiting, spot, and plenty of bluefish are also feeding in the surf zone. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms are top producers for most of the surf species. The blues and reds will take more of an interest in cut baits or finger mullet.
Anglers fishing on the piers are enjoying very fast action with the spot, mostly on bloodworm baits.
Huge numbers of spanish mackerel are feeding along the surf zone as well, and anglers are hooking up with the spaniards from the beaches, piers, and boats. Live baits, casting lures such as diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs, and trolled Clarkspoons or Yo-Zuri Deep Divers are all top spanish producers.
Kings are also feeding right on the beaches, and pier and boat anglers have been catching plenty. Live baits are getting most of the strikes on the piers, but they’ve been somewhat difficult for boat anglers to find. However, trolled dead baits should produce strikes from the kings as well.
Though it’s been rough over the past week, the wahoo bite was excellent south of the Swansboro Hole when boats could last make it out to the blue water. Some wahoo should be feeding in the same areas when the weather calms down.
Wayne, of Sea View Pier, reports that anglers are landing big numbers of spot on bloodworm baits. Those using shrimp are catching some spot along with whiting and some nice pompano.
Bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are falling for diamond jigs, Gotcha plugs, and small live baits.
Those fishing larger live baits from the end of the pier are enjoying plenty of action with the kings.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that the spot run is on, and anglers are regularly landing two of the tasty panfish at a time. Bloodworms are the top baits, and anglers are also hooking good numbers of fish on Fish Bites imitation bloodworms.
Along with the spot, bottom fishermen are landing whiting and good numbers of pompano.
Bluefish are plentiful around the pier, and they’re falling for diamond jigs and a variety of baits.
King fishermen have been staying busy. Last weekend, 30 kings hit the pier deck, with the largest weighing 29 lbs.
Jan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are filling coolers with spot while bottom fishing with bloodworms, artificial bloodworms, and shrimp.
Whiting, pompano, and a few keeper flounder are also falling for baits fished on the bottom.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are also plentiful right now, and both species are biting Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
King mackerel fishing has been excellent lately, and pier anglers landed kings up to 33 lbs. last week, along with a 153 lb. tarpon.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that trout fishing remains excellent throughout the New River and surrounding waters. Anglers landed several trout over 5 lbs. last week, with good numbers breaking the 4 lb. mark. Most of the fish have fallen for topwater plugs, especially Zara Spooks. On calm days, the trout will bite topwaters all day long, but when it’s windier, anglers should fish the calmer early morning and late evening hours for topwater action.
When the fish won’t bite on top, live shrimp fished under floats and Billy Bay Halo shrimp will tempt them to strike.
Red drum are also plentiful and feeding heavily in the area. Anglers can locate the drum by looking for fish chasing mullet and shrimp along the banks, then cast topwaters towards the action.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that speckled trout, red drum, and flounder are all feeding well throughout the area. Anglers are hooking up with the specks and drum while casting Storm, Billy Bay Halo, Powerbait, and Gulp shrimp imitations, as well as live shrimp.
Flounder will also fall for the shrimp, but Carolina-rigged finger mullet or other live fish are the top flatfish baits.
Around the 172 Bridge, bottom fishermen are hooking up with spot, some large croaker, and plenty of bluefish while baiting up with cut shrimp.
Surf anglers are landing bluefish, whiting, spot, croaker, and some gray trout.
The grays, whiting, and some black sea bass are also schooled up on the nearshore live bottoms and artificial reefs.
King and spanish mackerel are feeding voraciously on bait flooding out the inlets. The bite has been excellent just offshore of the inlet, along the nearby beaches, and at nearshore structure. Live baits, particularly pogies, will draw strikes from both mackerel species.
Boats are encountering a few sailfish around nearshore structure and bait concentrations as well. The sails will fall for live baits or rigged ballyhoo.
The grouper bite has moved a bit further off the beach, and boats will have the best results targeting structure 20 miles or further from land.
Out in the Stream, the wahoo bite has been red hot recently. Most of the fish are in the 20-30 lb. range, and ballyhoo paired with skirted lures are the prime wahoo baits. The action has been best between the Swansboro Hole and the Big Rock recently.
