Topsail/Sneads Ferry – August 2023
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that nearshore anglers are still doing well targeting spanish mackerel off the beaches.
Pushing out to the 15+ mile range is where the king mackerel bite has held. The hot water around also opens up the chances of finding some mahi in this territory.
The Gulf Stream runs have been producing scattered wahoo, a few mahi, and sailfish.
The best bite offshore is coming off the bottom, with catches of grouper, black sea bass, and plenty of vermilion snapper.
Inshore action has really been an early morning or late bite. Topwater plugs are working well for red drum. At other times, fish the hard structures for sheepshead or black drum.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that red drum remain the top targets for anglers getting out on the water for summertime fishing. Those out on the water by sunrise are often able to find some action using topwater plugs. With the sun up, the hot water temperatures have the red drum scattered, and anglers will do best fishing Carolina-rigged bait around structure (such as docks). For live bait, mullet is the better choice, with menhaden working well as a cut bait option.
Nearshore runs are seeing some good spanish mackerel fishing. Trolling Clarkspoons in gold, pink, or chartreuse colors have worked great for locating fish that aren’t feeding on the surface. Other times, you can chase birds to sight cast at the feeding frenzies.
Bottom structure in the 60’ area is holding black sea bass and nice-sized grunts.
Chad Trader, of Hampstead, NC, caught (and released) this 29.5″ red drum using a Suicide Shad from Big Bite Baits. He was fishing near Topsail Island.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that spanish mackerel remain a good target for anglers running off the beach. The bite can be hit or miss at times, but trolling or looking for active birds will eventually find a school for patient anglers.
Inshore trips are mostly focused on red drum, and the red drum are scattered all throughout the area. This is their typical summer pattern, and it can be difficult to pin down certain spots where the fish will be. Anglers will do best by scouting out areas holding bait and pausing fishing efforts until bait is located. Topwater plugs, live bait, and cut baits can all produce strikes based on the situation. With all summertime fishing, being on the water early helps.
Speckled trout are mixed in here and there, and they are mostly being caught on topwater plugs right around sunrise.
Anglers fishing cut shrimp around the bridges and other structures are catching some black drum.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that spanish mackerel action remains consistent off the beach. The fish holding shallower have been of a smaller class (to 20”) but have been very active in feeding and providing great action. The Clarkspoon and planer combo continues to be a staple tactic for finding action when these schools aren’t feeding on the surface.
Getting out over the nearshore reefs has produced the larger spanish mackerel, alongside king mackerel and amberjack. Bait fishing has been best for this bite.
Bottom fishing isn’t as affected by these hot summer days. Anglers have been doing well finding grouper and keeper black sea bass over structure in the 80’ range.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers looking to get out and fish in the heat of summer are doing well, with the better action being at night as things cool down slightly. Bottom fishing has been the top tactic at night and has been producing sea mullet, spot, and red drum.
The occasional over-slot red drum are mixed in for anglers fishing fresh cut baits.
Live shrimp has produced some nice catches of speckled trout.
Getting out in the early mornings or late afternoons has also given anglers the best chance to catch spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Chase Kosinski and Quinn Law, of Surf City, caught these black drum using fresh shrimp while fishing near Topsail Island.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that conditions have been great, but the summer heat can make fishing slower. It’s best to target fishing efforts in the mornings or later evening hours for the best chances of success.
Anglers fishing live shrimp have stayed on a fairly productive speckled trout bite.
Bottom fishing will generate most of the action over the coming weeks. Sea mullet, spots, sheepshead, pinfish, spadefish, and slot red drum (to 26”) will all be a part of the mixed bag for anglers getting out on the pier.
Casting Gotcha plugs around the bait balls has been producing spanish mackerel and bluefish, and anglers pin-rigging off the end have landed some king mackerel (to 29 lbs.).
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that we are in the “dog days” of summer, and this can lead to slow fishing at times. Live bait can be key to getting action, though there are a ton of pinfish and other bait stealers around to fight through. Despite all this, there still has been plenty of fish being landed daily by anglers. Mixed bags include pompano, sea mullet, black drum, nice sheepshead (to 6 lbs.), and speckled trout.
Anglers casting Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs are hooking bluefish and spanish mackerel. Early in the mornings has been best for this bite.
Anglers live bait fishing off the end have been catching large spanish mackerel (to 7 lbs.) and king mackerel (to 26 lbs.), and they are seeing tarpon.
