Topsail/Sneads Ferry – October 2022
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that cooling water temperatures and the influx of bait movements have the spanish mackerel, bluefish, and king mackerel bite firing off for nearshore anglers.
Surf anglers are seeing that the bigger Virginia mullet and spot have started to move in for those bottom fishing, and rigging up finger mullet or sand fleas will produce red drum, flounder, and scattered black drum.
With the bait pushed in close, many anglers have had success casting at schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish feeding in tight to the beach.
Inshore action is starting to see the red drum action firing off. Anglers are finding most of the reds while fishing just inside mainland creeks and up into the river, and they are also starting to see some decent numbers of speckled trout and a continuing strong flounder bite.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that flounder action has been stellar off the beach. Fishing 1.5- 2 oz. jig heads with larger 5” Z-Man DieZel minnows have produced some nice fish at the lesser targeted structures.
Red drum action has been really good inshore. Anglers are having a lot of success with topwater plugs in the early mornings. Bottom-rigged cut baits has been best throughout the day, with soft plastics being another great option when scouting areas. These fish are starting to group up a little better moving into fall, with most schools now holding around 10-15 fish.
Anglers are catching a few scattered speckled trout while targeting reds.
Casting action has been good for spanish mackerel off the beach. Schools of false albacore are starting to mix in, and the albies should get more plentiful as temperatures cool.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that anglers have been finding plenty of red drum on the inshore flats and bays. Topwater plugs, gold spoons, and soft plastics are all successful when trying to be stealthy in targeting these shallower-holding fish. When the bite is slowed, some live or cut bait can help kick off a strike.
Speckled trout are showing up for anglers working inshore holes around the inlets, with most strikes coming on topwater plugs fished in those low-light hours.
Anglers running out of the inlet are finding spanish mackerel all around, with a few schools of early fall false albacore in the mix.
Chadwick, of South End Anglers, reports that red drum fishing has been excellent throughout the marshes, with fish staged up from the shallow bays out to grass lines around the inlets. The fall mullet run is in full swing, and these reds are taking advantage of that. Anglers are having a lot of success with topwaters both early and on cloudy days, with Texas-rigged or jig head pinned Z-Man soft plastics working throughout the rest of the day. When all else fails, a live finger mullet Carolina-rigged or under a float should trigger a strike.
The resident speckled trout are also getting more active as water temperatures cool. They have been keyed in on the early and late topwater action, with live or artificial shrimp under a popping cork getting the job done at other times.
Bluefish have also been smashing topwater plugs along the waterway. Look for areas where the bait is being pushed.
Nearshore trolling for spanish and king mackerel has been really good. Spoons behind planers work great for spanish, with kings preferring slow-trolled dead or live baits.
There are some large red drum being caught along the beaches, around the inlets, and over nearshore structure. Cut mullet, menhaden, bucktails, and metal jigs all have their place when targeting these fish.
Daniel, of Surf City Charters, reports that off the beach, anglers are finding pockets of good-sized spanish mackerel, but nothing super consistent at the moment.
There are scattered king mackerel around but not quite the numbers that anglers look forward to as water temperatures cool.
Heading offshore has produced some nice-sized wahoo (in the pockets of cooler water), as well as some scattered sailfish.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that a class of 14-18”+ spanish are aggressively striking at the smaller size 0/00 Clarkspoons. Pulling them deeper, whether under a #1 planer or with trolling weights, has been best. As the water starts to cool, look for these schools to become more active on the surface for those looking for sight-casting action.
Anglers are starting to see schools of false albacore mixed off the beach with the spanish. The best action has been from right outside the inlet to the sea buoy.
A few over-slot red drum are being caught on rocks just off the beach. Both jigs and cut baits can generate a big bite.
Bottom fishing in the 20-mile range remains very strong. Good-sized grouper, snapper, and bigger black sea bass are feeding well. Cut baits (such as cigar minnows, spanish sardines, and squid) are all having plenty of success.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that there has been good slot red drum action, with some runs of over-slot fish.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been really good (alongside bluefish) for anglers doing some sight-casting.
There have been some nice flounder weighed, and bottom fishing has also been producing spot, croakers, and sea mullet.
A few good-sized king mackerel (to 22 lbs.) are starting to show up.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishing is producing croakers, whiting, flounder, and red drum.
Schools of bluefish and spanish mackerel are being caught by anglers casting jigs, and live baiting off the end has been producing a few nice-sized king mackerel.
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers have been catching a lot of red drum, with both slot and over-slot fish in the mix.
Bottom fishing has also produced a few keeper flounder, and smaller bottom rig setups are finding scattered sea mullet.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are being caught by throwing plugs at surface-feeding schools.
