Topsail/Sneads Ferry – October 2024
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that a bunch of big flounder are around, both inshore and out on the nearshore structures.
Red drum have been scattered throughout the backwaters. Topwater plugs are having success in the mornings and evenings, with cloudy days also being a beneficial time to work these baits. Otherwise, live or cut mullet have been working best.
The speckled trout bite has started to pick up, with the best action in the mornings when anglers are fishing topwater plugs and soft plastics.
Moving into October, both the red drum and speckled trout really start picking up as water temperatures start to fall and cooler nights becoming more commonplace.
Off the beach, the spanish mackerel bite should start picking up any day, and local anglers will likely find a bigger class of fish moving in.
False albacore have already started showing up, with anglers having a lot of success sight casting metal jigs to surface-feeding schools.
King mackerel are pushing their way in, and they’re being found along the beaches or over nearshore and offshore bottom structure.
Bottom fishing off the beach is still productive, with catches of triggerfish, vermilion snapper, grouper, and black sea bass.
The wahoo bite has started to pick up and will continue to get even better throughout the fall.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that nearshore action has started improving, with false albacore showing up in the area. These schools have been honed in on the small “snot” baits, and anglers are doing best by matching the hatch with smaller diamond jigs. These early schools aren’t really staying on the surface very long, so it can be better at times to hang over some nearshore structure that is holding bait and allow the albies to come to you.
Inside, anglers are still seeing plenty of red drum scattered about. For the most part, the reds are holding in their smaller summertime groups of 2-3 fish. This means that anglers should stay on the move and work more areas to try and entice a bite or two. For good starting points, target the larger creek mouths and bigger points along the ICW.
The speckled trout bite has been okay, but most area anglers don’t expect the trout action to be fired up until mid-October. The fishery seems to be on schedule, though, as there are signs that these fish are starting to move back in from the oceanside as they typically do this time of year.
Mike Shea, of Monroe, NC, found this mahi 20 miles offshore of Surf City using a ballyhoo rig. He was fishing with Mike Matkins.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that the red drum have started to school up more and are moving out of their summertime patterns. Anglers fishing artificials are having success with topwater plugs and gold spoons.
Speckled trout are around, but the action doesn’t really pick up until the middle of October. Currently, anglers will do best targeting these fish around the inlets.
Spanish mackerel are showing up in better numbers. So far, the trolling action has been best.
False albacore should be moving in soon.
Keep an eye out when running off the beach, as the opportunity exists to run across a school of big bull drum that can be caught with large bucktail jigs.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the nearshore bite has been decent for both kings and spanish mackerel. Anglers are starting to see better quality of both species.
Spanish mackerel have mostly been striking at #0 and #1 sized Clarkspoons pulled behind planers or trolling weights.
The king mackerel are stacked up in the 5-15 mile range, and they’re striking at both dead and live bait. Some larger kings are also showing up outside the inlets and off the Topsail piers. These nearshore kings are mostly being caught on live bait, such as small bluefish and menhaden.
Nearshore bottom structures are holding gray trout and black sea bass. Small diamond jigs are great options for both species.
Bottom fishing in the 15-20 mile range is producing a larger class of black sea bass and a bunch of vermilion snapper. Both of these fish are falling for jigs and cut baits.
Amir Crul, of Wilmington, caught this red drum behind Topsail Island using a live finger mullet. He was fishing with Capt. Adam Child of Pudd’n Head Charters.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that the king mackerel bite has finally started to fire off and only gets better as bait starts pushing out of the inlets.
Some spanish mackerel and bluefish are being found right off the beach.
Bottom fishing continues to be productive. Anglers have been finding nice catches of vermilion snapper, triggerfish, quality black sea bass, and grouper.
October is prime time for wahoo action out in the Gulf Stream. Mixed with the wahoo will be some good-sized blackfin tuna and scattered mahi.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers have been doing better in the evenings, with catches of bluefish, puppy drum, and black drum.
Harris Brogden, from Wilmington, with a 43″ red drum caught in the Scotts Hill area using a dead finger mullet.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that some false albacore have started to show up.
King mackerel fishing has improved, with multiple fish (to 31 lbs.) being caught.
Bottom fishing is producing pompano, bluefish, and some spots.
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishing anglers have been doing well with red drum, black drum, and some quality sea mullet.
Spanish mackerel are in the daily catches (when the water is clean).
