Topsail April 9, 2009
Robert Herring, of Wilmington, with an African pompano he hooked while vertical jigging some bottom structure inshore of the Steeples. Photo courtesy of Tex's Tackle.
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf and pier anglers are starting to pick up some more fish as the water temperature climbs. Good numbers of whiting and some black drum are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs. The bluefish are falling for cut bait and casting lures like Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Surf anglers are still catching red drum from the north end of Lea Island as well, and reds and trout are biting on the south end of Topsail and in the inlet. Live mud minnows, Gulp baits, and gold Sebile lures are producing most of the action with the reds and trout.
Inshore, the bluefish have made it into the ICW, where they’ll strike most anything, and anglers are catching black drum on fresh shrimp around inshore structure.
Off the beaches, the bonito haven’t shown up yet, but it shouldn’t be long until they’re chasing bait at nearshore structure like Diver’s Rock if the weather stays warm.
Bottom fishermen have reported a good grouper bite in the 40-50 mile range lately, mostly for big reds. Live baits, cut baits, and vertical jigs will all produce action with the groupers and other bottomfish.
The king mackerel have moved into the 30 mile areas and are still schooled up tightly, so once anglers find the fish, they shouldn’t have a problem catching plenty.
The Gulf Stream bite has been decent on the few days boats have been able to get out lately. Blackfin tuna and wahoo are providing the bulk of the action, and skirted ballyhoo are the best baits for them.
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Capt. Mike Pedersen with a citation red drum he caught bottom fishing off New River inlet with Capt. Joe Hifko aboard the "Rough and Ready."
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that the red drum and speckled trout bite remains good in the New River. Live baits, Gulps, Billy Bay and Storm shrimp imitations, and topwater plugs will all produce action with the reds and trout. Inshore anglers are also catching a few flounder between trout and reds, and they’ll only get more numerous as the water warms up.
Surf fishermen are catching whiting, red drum, and bluefish on cut baits and shrimp.
The first report of some bonito action came in last week. The fish were to the north, and trolling Yo-Zuri Deep Divers was the most effective tactic for them. It shouldn’t be long until Diver’s Rock and other nearshore structure attract schools of the miniature tunas for boats to troll or cast to.
Grouper fishing has been decent, but not on fire, in the 20-30 mile range. Cigar minnows, Boston mackerel, and live and cut baits are producing most of the action with the groupers.
Not many boats have been to the Stream lately due to the windy weather.
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Capt. Rennie Clark, Jr., of Tournament Trail Charters, and David Nye, of Wilmington, with two of 21 redfish they hooked while fishing flats north of Wrightsville Beach. The reds fell for D.O.A. jerkbaits fished on weighted hooks.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing remains good despite the heavy netting pressure in the New River. The fish have just started biting topwaters well, but shrimp imitations from Storm and Billy Bay are the go-to artificials.
The action has still been best in the creeks upriver towards Jacksonville.
Speck and striper fishing has also been solid in the Neuse River, where stripers have been particularly susceptible to topwater plugs recently.
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Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that red and black drum are schooling under inshore docks in the area, and both have a hard time resisting a fresh shrimp fished on a light jighead. Gulp baits are also producing some action, but they should be fished dead still for best results.
The tidal creeks off the waterway are producing some action with speckled trout and school bluefish, both of which are having a hard time resisting Gulp shrimp.
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Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are catching good numbers of whiting after the sun goes down.
In the daytime, a mix of black drum, small flounder and trout, spot, bluefish, puffers, sharks, and skates are providing some action.
Shrimp on bottom rigs are producing the best results.
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Frank, of Seaview Pier, reports that anglers are catching whiting and good numbers of black drum (with many in the 5 lb. class). Some small spot and bluefish are mixed in. Shrimp are attracting attention from all the fish.
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John, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that bottom fishing is producing some whiting, spot, and a few bluefish and black drum, with most action on shrimp.
