Topsail/Sneads Ferry – August 2022
Lucas, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf anglers have been seeing a few pompano showing up, as well as a mixed bag of smaller bottom species.
Anglers on the local piers are catching a few red drum, black drum, bluefish, spanish mackerel, and pompano.
Inshore anglers have been finding pretty good numbers of redfish alongside scattered speckled trout. The key has been to be on the water early in the morning.
Flounder are being caught throughout the ICW and out to nearshore reefs.
On days anglers are getting offshore, they are catching a few king mackerel and barracuda while live bait fishing.
Kelsey Whelpley, of Camp Lejeune, caught this king mackerel on a Drone spoon offshore of Topsail Beach.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that spanish mackerel action remains strong even after the wet weather patterns that moved through.
Bottom fishing off the beach has been excellent, with anglers finding plenty of action on both black sea bass and a variety of snappers while fishing with squid.
Inshore anglers have seen the red drum bite pick up a lot, with good-sized bait now moving into the area. Early and late in the day are always the best times to fish during the summer, as they represent your best chance to avoid crowds and the mid-summer heat. Fishing bottom-rigged live or cut bait can help in getting bites through the hottest parts of the day.
Some flounder (released) are also being caught throughout inshore areas by anglers fishing live baits for reds.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that red drum fishing has been pretty good all summer long. The fish are scattered just about everywhere, and they’re hitting topwater plugs, gold spoons, and live or cut baits. Anglers are having the most success fishing the ICW and during periods of higher tides, as both scenarios have slightly cooler waters than some of the mainland creeks.
Getting off the beach, anglers can still catch a few spanish mackerel with the typical trolling and casting methods, but the bite is pretty scattered overall.
A few cobia are being seen around bait balls in the area.
Bottom fishing at nearshore reefs is producing black sea bass, grunts, and flounder.
Daniel, of Surf City Charters, reports that offshore anglers have been finding bailer-sized mahi and scattered kings out in the 20+ mile range.
A few sailfish have started to show up in the 15-20 mile range by anglers fishing live baits over bottom structure areas. Some smaller cobia are also mixed around structure in this area, and they’re hitting the same live baits.
Nearshore anglers are seeing a lot of bait along the beaches, though not a bunch of king mackerel or spanish around with them. Most of the fish are scattered with the hot summer water temperatures.
Inshore anglers have been enjoying an excellent red drum bite in both the bays and marshes. Topwater plugs fished early or at sunset have been a great tactic, as well as Carolina-rigged live finger mullet or cut pogies.
Bait fished along the bottom in these areas will also produce some good-sized flounder (released).
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that spanish mackerel action remains strong, with lots of nice fish (1-2+ lbs.) hanging around. These spanish have been schooled up around bait balls near the inlet and out to 30’ of water. Clarkspoons in both pink and silver flash color patterns in the 0/00 size have been best when pulled behind a #1 planer or on the surface.
King mackerel action has been steady in the 8-12 mile range. Anglers are having the most success while slow trolling dead cigar minnows on dead bait rigs and Blue Water Candy Wedgies.
Bottom fishing has been excellent in the 80-100’ range, with grouper, snapper, and big black sea bass all falling for cut minnows and squid wings.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish action remains steady for anglers both casting at schools and fishing live baits.
Bottom fishing has been producing croakers and some good-sized pompano.
Anglers fishing off the end have landed a few kings (to 37 lbs.) and large tarpon (to 70+ lbs.).
Hunter Coats, of Sneads Ferry, caught this 6.1 lb. speckled trout on a popping cork with a live 3″ mullet. He was fishing from the Surf City surf.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that some larger spanish mackerel (to 4.5+ lbs.) are being caught from anglers fishing live baits.
King mackerel are still scattered around, with some good-sized fish (to 37 lbs.) being caught.
Some keeper-sized sheepshead are being brought up from around the pier pilings, and bottom fishing has produced some nice-sized sea mullet and a few pompano.
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that some large king mackerel (to 42 lbs.) have been caught by anglers fishing off the end.
Many of the larger spanish mackerel being caught are hitting live baits, and schools of bluefish have been moving by the pier for anglers casting jigs and plugs.
Sea mullet action has been pretty good for those bottom fishing with fresh shrimp, and there have been runs of black drum pushing through for anglers fishing in the evening.
