Added on Thursday, April 23, 2009  Fish Post

Topsail April 23, 2009

Plenty of bluefish have shown up in the surf and inshore. They’ll strike the bottom rigs sometimes, but anglers can target the blues by casting Gotcha plugs, Stingsilvers, or other lures.

Some red drum and flounder are showing up in inshore anglers’ catches, with the best fishing in the sound near the south end. Gulp baits or live baits fished on Carolina rigs will both attract attention from the reds and flatfish.

Black drum and bluefish are feeding inshore around the Surf City Bridge.

The Atlantic bonito have finally shown up, and boats caught big numbers last weekend between the New River sea buoy and Diver’s Rock. The first and second sets of buoys off New Topsail Inlet also produced some good bonito action for boats fishing a bit further south. Trolling Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers was productive for many boats, and others experienced double and triple hookups while casting diamond jigs to the schools of fish chasing bait on the surface.

Jigging bottom structure just off New Topsail produced some keeper gag grouper for a few lucky anglers as well.

Boats venturing further offshore last week found some king mackerel around 23 Mile Rock, hooking good numbers while trolling cigar minnows and Drone spoons.

 

Eric, of New River Marina, reports that the Atlantic bonito bit hard between the sea buoy and Diver’s Rock last week, and they should be in the area for the new few weeks. Trolling Deep Divers and Drone spoons behind planers and inline trolling weights was effective for many boats, and a lot of anglers got into the action on lighter tackle while casting Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs at the fish.

Bottom fishermen have been reporting a decent grouper bite (mostly reds with a few gags) in the 20-30 mile range lately. Sardines, cigar minnows, and Boston mackerel are all excellent baits for the groupers.

King mackerel have also moved in closer to the beaches, with good numbers reported in the same 20-30 mile range. Trolling Deep Divers and dead cigar minnows will attract attention from the mackerel.

Not many boats have made it to the Gulf Stream lately, but one reported an excellent dolphin catch up towards the Big Rock. Ballyhoo trolled beneath skirted lures are excellent baits for the dolphin and other Gulf Stream predators.

 

Bill, of Eastern Outfitters, reports that surf and pier anglers on Topsail are catching good numbers of whiting on fresh shrimp, particularly at night. Some black drum are also falling for shrimp on bottom rigs in the breakers.

Red drum have been holding on the shoals of New Topsail Inlet all winter, and there are still some fish there, but many have moved into the inlet and are feeding in the creeks and around inshore structure.

The Atlantic bonito showed up around Diver’s Rock last week, and boats caught good numbers while both trolling and casting. Yo-Zuri Deep Divers produced the best on the troll, while casters were hooking up on Maria jigs and Stingsilvers.

 

Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that the trout fishing remains solid in the New River area. Most of the fish from the river are coming from the larger secondary creeks upriver towards Jacksonville.

The trout bite has also been excellent around Surf City lately. Billy Bay Halo shrimp and Storm Wildeye shrimp are two of the best artificials for the specks, but anglers have also been hooking up recently on MR17 Mirrolures and topwater plugs.

 

Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that he’s been catching red and black drum in the creeks, marshes, and docks between Wrightsville Beach and Topsail. Both are falling for molting color Gulp shrimp.

Some speckled trout are in the nearby creeks, and they have been moving far up the creeks over the past few weeks. Casting Gulp shrimp around deep holes and drop-offs will draw speck strikes.

 

Terry, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking up with black drum and whiting along with a few smaller bluefish. Shrimp are the baits of choice.

 

Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers care catching whiting, black drum, and some small spots on shrimp.

Plug casters are hooking up with some bluefish.

 

Robbie, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that plug casters are catching a lot of bluefish, and they seem to get bigger by the day. A few spanish mackerel have been mixed in over the past week.

Bottom fishermen are decking plenty of whiting, especially at night, and some black drum. Shrimp is the hot bait.

The water temperature is 60 degrees.