Topsail – October 13, 2016
Cathy, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers off the piers and surf are catching Virginia mullet, bluefish, and spanish mackerel. Drop bottom rigs down to connect with the panfish, and Clarkspoons are working up top to hook up with the spanish. Red and black drum were also reported, and they are taking shrimp and cut bait on fish finder rigs and on the bottom.
The kings were on fire off the beach out to about 8 miles, and the fish were taking trolled live baits and cigar minnows on Blue Water Candy dead bait rigs. Cobia can be found in the same areas, though the season is now closed.
Further out, sailfish are being caught and released in the 20-25 mile zone, and those fishing the bottom are hooking up with plenty of grouper.
Gulf Stream fishing going into fall has been heating up, with anglers reporting mahi, blackfin, and wahoo. Blue Water Candy Seawitches and Jags are working best on the whaoo, with tuna falling for plugs and skirted ballyhoo.
Soundside, anglers are struggling to hook up with fish due to the tea-colored water, courtesy of Hurricane Matthew. Flounder are growing in size as we move into autumn, with a 7 lb. fish reported, and anglers hoping to connect with the flatfish should use live bait on a Carolina rig.
Reds and trout are in the sound area as well. Skitter Walks and various topwater baits are working on the trout, and the flash of spoons through the murky water will hook a drum.
Tyler Crumpler, of Topsail, with a 38 lb. king caught off Surf City Pier on a live menhaden.
Chad, of Lucky Dawg Guide Service, reports that although the storm had muddied the water, the big drum are out in the surf zone and on ledges. Carolina rigs with menhaden or finger mullet should connect with these large seasonal fish. Anglers should also be able to connect with a few trout as the weather cools, and flounder are going to be around similar structure as the red drum as they move out into deeper waters. The inlets are good places to check for both species.
Slow trolling bait nearshore should help anglers find the kings, and those that pull a Clarkspoon behind the standard #1 or #2 planer should find both spanish and false albacore. When the fish are working the surface in and around bait pods, jigs like the Blue Water Candy sparkle jig and Don’s Jigs are tempting bites (when retrieved quickly).
The hurricane has stirred up the water, but it shouldn’t take too long to clean up. The bite will soon return to what it was a few weeks ago.
Emily Ledwell, of Ramseur, with a red drum caught in the surf on Topsail Island.d.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that post-storm anglers should look for everything to bust wide open. The king bite was good before the storm, and anglers should expect for it to really heat up post-Matthew.
The nearshore and offshore bottom fishing should also see an uptick with the cooling water.
Jeff Young, of Charlotte, with a flounder that hit a live pogie behind Figure Eight Island.
Robbie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers are catching citation-sized red drum post-Hurricane Matthew, and cut bait or heads, such as spot or croaker, will tempt bites.
Speckled trout and bluefish are being hooked on artificials, and those dropping down shrimp on a bottom rig have found large black drum, easily over 20” and eager for a bite.
Garrison, of Surf City Pier, reports that the pier reopened on Sunday, and the bite has been strong since. A few spots have shown back up in the water, and many anglers are finding success hooking speckled trout and pompano.
The red drum are still in area waters, and those looking to hook the citation-sized fish should use cut bait.
Bluefish and spanish have also returned quickly post-Matthew, and both species have been pulled over the rails since Sunday.
Tyler, of Seaview Fishing Pier, reports that anglers are back to catching the big red drum off the end of the pier after the hurricane, with cut bait doing the trick.
The water is still murky, but those dropping down shrimp or bloodworms are having success with spots, sea mullet, and black drum.
