Topsail/Sneads Ferry – April 2024
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that anglers are starting to experience the surf zone come alive. Pier anglers in particular have seen bottom fishing efforts produce pufferfish, Virginia mullet, black drum, and the occasional sheepshead.
Some red drum are also scattered along the beachfront.
The sight casting action on the piers hasn’t quite fired up, but with water temperatures on the beach rising, they anticipate it happening any day moving into April. Atlantic bonito and bluefish will be the first species, with spanish mackerel not too far behind.
Inshore anglers are picking away at red drum and speckled trout. Over the coming weeks, trout fishing tends to see a little jump in action with fish moving out of their winter areas.
There hasn’t been a ton of opportunity to run off the beach, but anglers are finding good bottom fishing in the 15+ mile range.
Offshore anglers have also had a battle with the conditions, though they anticipate good wahoo action and scattered blackfin tuna when the winds settle.
Jeffrey Tibbetts, of Wilmington, hauled in this king mackerel while fishing offshore of Wrightsville Beach using cigar minnows.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that the last warm front got the speckled trout moving into a spring pattern. The specks are starting to move to mid-creek areas or towards creek mouths now that water temperatures are in the 60s throughout the backwaters. Fishing slow is still the game plan, though, with MirrOlures having the best success.
Red drum are in the backs of the creeks, but they are now starting to break into smaller groups and are ready to spread throughout the area. The water in the creeks is still really clear, and April is a great month to get out in more favorable weather to do some sight fishing.
Targeting the hard structure, such as docks or deeper holes near oysters, is producing bites from sheepshead, black drum, and red drum. Some bait shrimp is all you need for this tactic.
Nearshore action should really kick off shortly, with one of the primary targets being the abundance of black sea bass out on the nearshore ARs.
Bluefish are slowly trickling in and should be here any day now, and the Atlantic bonito will likely be moving in with the blues.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that red drum fishing has been fairly consistent as we move into spring. Anglers have mostly been finding the reds where they have been holding for most of the winter, either in the backs of creeks or on the flats in the marsh. All sizes of fish are mixed together, from a smaller 16-18” class right up to just over-slot.
Black drum are around, though their movements have them a little hard to pin down.
Some speckled trout continue to cooperate, but this whole last year has been a bit slower than past seasons. The trout have been really picky about which conditions they are willing to feed in.
Nearshore anglers await the days we have some nicer conditions, and Atlantic bonito should be showing up as soon as anglers can get out to target them.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that Atlantic bonito are already starting to bite in the 12-20 mile range. Anglers hope these fish push in better this year and make a strong showing along our beaches over the coming weeks.
The nearshore bottom fishing action remains strong, with anglers catching a nice class of black sea bass. Targeting structure in the 50’+ range has been the best place to start. These fish are aggressive eaters, so just about any cut bait will do.
Alice James, of Hampstead, landed this 22″ gray trout fishing the waters around North Topsail using a soft plastic. She was fishing with Capt. Elijah Gloss.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that there remains a strong bottom fishing bite for black sea bass and other various species over structure as shallow as 70’. Pushing out deeper (90’+) also opens up the opportunity to catch triggerfish and vermilion snapper.
When the chance to run to the Gulf Stream pops up, anglers have been able to land some wahoo and blackfin tuna.
Nearshore anglers are gearing up for the spring arrival of Atlantic bonito. There have been a few around further offshore, but the bite closer to the beaches should fire off in the coming weeks.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers have been finding some keeper black drum while bottom fishing with shrimp.
The occasional puppy drum is also a daily possibility, and better numbers of sea mullet and pufferfish are showing up.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishing action typically represents the beginning of the spring pier season, and right now a bottom rig with some shrimp is all that’s needed to produce keeper black drum, pufferfish, and some nice whiting.
Earl, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishing action has been picking up as we move into April. Anglers have been catching a nice mix of whiting, black drum, pufferfish, and a few stingrays.
Moving into April, anglers anticipate seeing the addition of speckled trout.
Bluefish are also starting to pop up in the area, with a big push and much better numbers close at hand.
