Topsail September 2, 2010
Richard and Rick Hughes, of Sneads Ferry, with a pair of 31-32" red drum that fell for live finger mullet near Lea Island while they were fishing with Capt. Wayne Crisco of Last Resort Charters.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that bottom fishermen on the piers found action with some whiting and pompano on shrimp last week, along with some decent catches of spot in the evening hours.
Tarpon are still cruising along Topsail’s beachfront, and anglers had a number of bites on large live baits from the piers last week.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been solid for pier anglers and boaters lately. Anglers are hooking the fish on Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs from the piers and while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures from boats.
Pompano have shown up in the surf. Anglers can tempt them to bite shrimp or sand fleas, and they may be able to sight-cast to the fish on calm days right in the beach break. A weightless sand flea will fool the fish when anglers find them feeding against the shoreline.
Some large red drum are feeding up and down the island’s beaches. Anglers can tempt them to bite cut baits, finger mullet, and gold spoons.
Large sharks are still feeding along the beachfront, and anglers can hook them on large cut baits from the beach and boats. Surf anglers are doing better with the sharks the further they can get their baits out, so those who can paddle baits out on kayaks are having the best luck.
Inshore, the red drum bite has been excellent in the bays and creeks. Anglers can fool the fish with topwater plugs in the early mornings and Gulps or live baits later in the day.
The flounder bite has been decent inshore in the creeks and around the inlets as well. Gulp baits or small live baits fished on Carolina rigs are the way to go for the flatfish.
Off the beaches, amberjacks are schooled up on high-relief ledges and wrecks from a few miles offshore all the way out the break. Anglers are fooling plenty of the fish on live baits and while working topwater plugs (when they can find the schools).
The king mackerel and dolphin bite has slowed down quite a bit, but excellent bottom fishing is making up for the slow bite on the pelagics. Grouper have moved in towards the beaches, and anglers are hooking up with gags inside the 10 mile range. Live and cut baits, dead cigar minnows, and more will fool the groupers. Some fat black sea bass are also feeding in the same areas, and they’ll take an interest in smaller cut baits or squid.
Gulf Stream trollers are seeing more wahoo than they have for most of the summer. Ballyhoo rigged under dark-hued trolling lures are the way to go for the wahoo.
Mark White, of Hampstead, NC, with a 19 lb. gag grouper that fell for a live pogy at some bottom structure in 100' of water off Topsail Beach.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that the king mackerel and dolphin fishing has slowed to a crawl in the area.
Anglers are finding some gag grouper action at spots inside the 10 mile mark, with reds and scamps feeding at bottom structure further offshore. Live and cut baits and frozen cigar minnows and Boston mackerel will fool the groupers.
Bottom structure and deep holes just off the beaches are holding good numbers of gray trout. Anglers can tempt them to bite Stingsilvers and other jigging lures or spec rigs tipped with shrimp and other baits.
Inshore, anglers are still finding action with sheepshead and black drum around the 172 Bridge and other hard structure inshore. Shrimp, fiddler crabs, and other baits will tempt bites from both of the crustacean-eaters.
Flounder are feeding around the bridge as well, and in deep holes near the inlet and along the waterway. Live mud minnows and finger mullet and Gulp baits will attract attention from the flatfish.
The red drum bite is getting better by the week, and the bays and creeks off the ICW have been producing the most action lately. Live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and other lures will fool the reds.
Whiting are making an appearance inshore, and anglers can hook them on shrimp and bloodworm-baited bottom rigs around deeper holes near the inlet.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that the flounder bite has gotten better. Anglers are now seeing decent numbers of fish in the creeks as the water cools slightly, and they’re still feeding around the deep structure where they’ve been all summer. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are the way to go for the flatties.
The red drum action has been hot in the marshes between Topsail and Figure Eight. Anglers are catching most of the reds on finger mullet as well.
Speckled trout are feeding near inshore structure, especially in the early mornings, and they’ll take an interest in live shrimp beneath floats.
The bridges, docks, and other inshore structure are also holding a lot of heavy sheepshead. Fiddler crabs will tempt them to bite.
Harrison Zellers with a 30" red drum that fell for a topwater plug in a bay off the New River.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking up with big numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotchas.
Bottom fishermen are catching some spot and whiting, with the best bite at night on shrimp and bloodworms.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers had a decent week on spanish mackerel, with most of the fish falling for Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Shrimp-baited bottom rigs are fooling some spot and whiting.
April, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers had a decent number of tarpon bites last week and were able to bring several to the pier.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs and live baits fished from the pier.
Bottom fishermen have been hooking big numbers of over-slot red drum, but many have been too big to keep out of the pilings.
