Topsail/Sneads Ferry – July 2022
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that red drum have shown up in some really good numbers. A lot of slot-sized fish in the 5-7 lb. range are being caught just about anywhere inshore.
Speckled trout in the surf have been a hot bite recently. Anglers are having success fishing both live shrimp and MirrOlures.
Flounder fishing has also been very good both in the surf and back into the ICW.
Spanish mackerel and kings are being caught nearshore and from the local piers. The numbers have been really good all year—better than many prior seasons.
Offshore anglers are catching mahi alongside king mackerel while trolling over structure in the 100’+ range.
Bottom fishing in this zone is producing plenty of vermilion snapper, grunts, and grouper.
Bobby Bryan, of Hampstead, caught this 27″ red drum on a live finger mullet near the back of Topsail Island. He was fishing with Adam Child.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that spanish mackerel have moved in close to the beach (in waters as shallow as 20’). This time of year, you really have to weed through the large numbers of smaller fish to get to the larger ones that are mixed in.
There are plenty of bluefish schools also mixed in these same depth ranges.
Bottom fishing in the 45-60’ range is producing keeper black sea bass and some nice-sized grunts.
Some cobia are around and are being spotted or hooked at nearshore bottom structure areas.
Inshore, the bait has really shown up, with plenty of good-sized menhaden moved into the ICW and mainland creeks.
Early morning anglers have been able to find some speckled trout around deeper holes in the area. There’s not a lot around, but they are staged on structure and looking for an easy meal.
Red drum action has been picking up with fish now broken up and scattered around. Most anglers are having success fishing both live and cut baits near areas of hard structure. The target areas can be rockpiles, oyster bars, and docks.
As anglers wait on keeper flounder season, they are already seeing some good action while targeting reds.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that red drum action has been really good in the bays. Topwater plugs have provided a lot of success both early and even into the day depending on wind conditions.
A few good-sized speckled trout are scattered in the action for anglers fishing topwater plugs.
Some big flounder have moved inshore and are being caught on bottom-rigged live baits by anglers targeting reds.
Nearshore anglers have found the spanish mackerel action to be pretty hit or miss around Topsail. Lately, casting Big Nic jigs at surface-feeding schools or around bait balls has been more productive than trolling.
While fishing off the beaches, anglers should keep their eyes on the water as a few cobia are still cruising the surface as they migrate through the area.
Daniel, of Surf City Charters, reports that mahi action has been picking up, with plenty of nice gaffer-sized fish in the 40-50 mile range. Recent trips have found a lot of scattered grass, though, which makes trolling difficult.
Structure in this same range has been holding some nice-sized red grouper and triggerfish.
King mackerel are being caught from the beach out to 20+ miles. Most of the thicker, schoolie- sized fish have been holding in the 15-mile range.
Nearshore anglers have found some tarpon rolling along the beaches. Those looking to target these fish will have success with live bait on circle hooks and fished on the bottom.
Spanish mackerel are just about everywhere, from inside the inlets to out along the beaches. Anglers are having success casting diamond jigs at the surface-feeding schools.
Inshore anglers are finding plenty of mid-slot to over-slot red drum while fishing around grass beds, docks, and mainland creeks.
Speckled trout are scattered throughout the inshore areas, with some fish also out in the surf zone and around the jetty.
Over the next couple weeks look for cobia and sailfish being caught in the 20-mile range while trolling live menhaden over structure. A few mahi will be mixed in, too, as they push closer in from the Stream
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that king mackerel fishing has been good for anglers targeting structure in the 10-20 mile range. Slow-trolling dead cigar minnows has been producing the most strikes.
A few mahi are starting to mix in with the kings now that scattered schools are moving in off the break.
Bottom fishing has been excellent in the 85-100’ range. Vermilion snapper, grouper, and large black sea bass make up a majority of the mixed bag. Anglers are having success with a variety of natural baits from cut cigar minnows and northern mackerel to squid.
Spanish mackerel are staged up right outside the inlet and up and down the beach in the 20-30’ range.
Kayla Pendergraft, of Hillsborough, caught this 24 lb. red grouper on a dead cigar minnow in 120′ of water offshore of New Topsail Inlet. She was fishing with Capt. Todd Skeen of Shenanigans Sportfishing.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers casting jigs and fishing live bait are catching some good-sized spanish mackerel (to 5+ lbs.).
Schools of bluefish are also mixed in with the casting action. These surface-feeding species have been more active both early and late in the day.
Anglers fishing off the end have landed some king mackerel (to 26 lbs.) and tarpon.
Bottom fishing has been producing mixed bags of black drum, whiting, and croakers. This bite has really taken off from the time the sun sets and into the evening.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that some good-sized king mackerel (to 25 lbs.) are being caught by anglers fishing live baits on the end.
A few speckled trout are being landed in the early mornings.
Anglers casting jigs are catching bluefish and spanish mackerel, and bottom fishing has been a bit slower during the day due to summertime heat.
Daniel, of Seaview Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish are schooled up around the pier, including some large spanish mackerel that are being caught with live baits off the end.
There are also a good number of tarpon around the area, with hookups coming from anglers with pin-rigged baits.
Bottom fishing has been producing a few red drum, black drum, and scattered sea mullet.
There has also been a run of speckled trout, with this action mostly in the early mornings.
