Topsail/Sneads Ferry – May 2024
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that nearshore anglers are enjoying catches of Atlantic bonito, spanish mackerel, and bluefish all out over the reefs.
The surf zone is picking up, with better numbers of sea mullet and pufferfish coming from bottom fishing efforts.
The local piers are landing sea mullet and pufferfish, as well as bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Inshore anglers are catching a mix of red drum, black drum, and sheepshead around structure in the backwaters.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that anglers have been seeing the red drum action starting to pick up more with water temperatures coming up. It has been a lower-slot class of reds as the area waits for the bigger fish to move back inside. This migration typically happens as the bait starts pushing in.
A couple of speckled trout are being caught on topwater plugs. These specks are staged up around creeks mouths and on oysters, with both areas needing some current for the fish to be actively feeding.
Black drum are starting to move to waters a bit deeper, as they’re pulling away from the structures they’ve held onto all winter.
Atlantic bonito (3-4 lb. class) are nearshore, but there haven’t been too many fish up on the surface. Most are holding about 20-30’ down and are hanging around the nearshore structures.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are showing up in good numbers. Both are being caught almost exclusively while trolling.
The arrival of spanish mackerel typically signals the end of bonito being around, but hopefully the bonitos’ late arrival means they will stick around a bit longer before rising water temperatures move them along.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that speckled trout are still mostly in the creeks. They’re hitting Saltwater Assassins, Storm shrimp, and Rapala X-Raps. Most of these trout are keeper-sized, with a majority in the 1-3 lb. range (and an occasional 4-pounder in the mix).
Red drum fishing has been getting better with the water temperatures picking up. Some days are now seeing double digit numbers. Anglers are finding groups of reds in all sizes (16-28”) around, with fish both alongside trout in the creeks and up on the flats.
Nearshore trips are enjoying the arrival of Atlantic bonito. Anglers are having the most success with trolling and jigging, as they wait for more surface action before truly focusing on sight-casting. Most of these bonito are in the 2-5 mile range and are staged over structure or hanging around bait.
Jacque Martin, of Sneads Ferry, found this bonito offshore of Topsail over structure in 50′ of water using a planer and Clarkspoon. He was fishing with Capt. Joe Martin of Atlantic Sportfishing.
Chadwick, of South End Anglers, reports that red drum action has been pretty good, and rising water temperatures should start to produce some topwater action. If the conditions aren’t right for the surface, anglers will have success with Z-Man soft plastics rigged on Eye Strike or Fathom Inshore jig heads.
A bunch of bluefish are showing up inside, and they will hit just about anything that anglers are using to target redfish.
The black drum and sheepshead fishing is good when targeting structure such as bridges, docks, and bulkheads.
Off the beach, spanish mackerel are starting to show up. Anglers will have success sight-casting to these surface-feeding schools with Hogy Epoxy jigs, or if not on the surface, Clarkspoons behind a planer will typically do the trick.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that nearshore action has really come alive. Anglers have been catching mixed bags of Atlantic bonito, spanish mackerel, and bluefish from right outside the inlet out over structure in the 40-50’ areas. With most of these fish holding sub-surface, the trolling bite has been really successful using size #0 and #00 Clarkspoons behind planers. The bonito in particular have been holding a little deeper and might require a #3-5 sized planer and bigger spoons.
Bottom fishing action is strong in the 60-80’ range for anglers rigged with cut squid or cigar minnows. Catches include black sea bass, grunts, and some snappers. Success has also been coming from jigging 2 oz. diamond jigs or glass minnow jigs.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that the nearshore bite has been on fire. Atlantic bonito, spanish mackerel, and bluefish are all striking at Clarkspoons and other hard baits on the troll.
When conditions allow for finding these schools on the surface, anglers are having success with diamond jigs. If you can at least mark the bait, drop the same jigs deeper and jig back up to get that bite.
When winds allow a window to run offshore, anglers are having success catching wahoo and blackfin tuna.
Allen Rusty Roberts, of Greenville, SC, caught these black sea bass offshore of New Topsail Inlet in 90′ of water using cut squid. He was fishing with Grassy Sound Charters.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that good numbers of bluefish are being caught with both natural baits and by sight casting Gotcha plugs.
Some spanish mackerel are around, and they’re showing up in better numbers almost by the day.
Bottom fishing is producing sea mullet and a few large pompano (to 2 lbs.).
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers have been having success sight casting to schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Bottom fishing has been producing plenty of sea mullet and croakers. Recently, the night bite has seen the better numbers.
Baits fished tight to the pilings have received attention from black drum and the occasional sheepshead.
Earl, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishing action is picking up, with catches of black drum, sea mullet, and the occasional trout.
Nice-sized bluefish have also been showing up, and they’re striking at both casting jigs and cut baits.
Atlantic bonito are being caught further off the beach, so pier anglers hope there’s a chance some fish wander in closer and within casting range.
Spanish mackerel should be moving in anytime.
