Topsail July 15, 2010
Thurman Vick, of Tideline Marine in Jacksonville, with a 19 lb. king mackerel that fell for a Yo-Zuri plug in 100' of water 40 miles off New River Inlet while he was fishing with Raeford Brown on the "Pirate Attack."
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that the king mackerel bite was solid around 7 miles off the beach and further last week (with most fish teenagers and larger). Dead baits like cigar minnows and ballyhoo have been fooling most of the fish.
Anglers are catching good numbers of dolphin at spots 20+ miles from the inlet (most slingers but a few gaffers in the mix). Most of the ‘phins are falling for dead baits as well.
Bottom fishermen have found some solid grouper action at spots 15 miles and further offshore. Baited bottom rigs and vertical jigs will fool the grouper.
Plenty of sea bass are in the same areas.
Nearshore, the spanish mackerel bite has been excellent just off the beaches (with good numbers of 3-4+ lb. fish). Anglers are catching some while trolling spoons and other lures, but live-baiting has been producing the largest fish.
Inshore, the flounder bite continues to improve around the inlets and structure. Live finger mullet and peanut pogies are the tickets to flatfish bites.
Sheepshead are feeding heavily around inshore and beachfront structure, and anglers can hook them on fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and other crustacean baits.
A few speckled trout are still around the area, and diligent anglers can hook them at night, but they’ll have to work for the bites.
Ladyfish are feeding throughout the inshore waters, and anglers can hook them on a variety of baits and lures while fishing around lighted structure at night.
The red drum bite is still excellent around the north end of Lea Island. The fish will fall for cut baits, finger mullet, or gold spoons.
Amanda Edwards, of Wilmington, with a 25" red drum that fell for a live mud minnow near Topsail Inlet while she was fishing with Eric Edwards.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that the king mackerel and dolphin bite is still on out of New River Inlet. The action’s been starting around Diver’s Rock lately, with more and more dolphin (some to 20 lbs.) in the mix the further anglers get offshore. Dead bait trolling has been producing most of the bites lately, with cigar minnows, sardines, and small ballyhoo the most effective.
Bottom fishermen are picking up good numbers of grouper at bottom structure 8-10 miles out and further. Cigar minnows, sardines, Boston mackerel, and many other baits will fool them.
Black sea bass are feeding alongside the grouper and at structure even closer to the beaches. Squid, cut baits, and more will draw bites from the bass.
The spanish mackerel bite along the beaches has slowed down a bit.
Inshore, anglers are still finding solid flounder action at the deeper holes near the inlet and around the bridges. Live baits or Gulps will fool the flatties.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around the bridges as well (with the 172 Bridge especially hot). Fiddler crabs, shrimp, and other baits will attract their attention.
The speckled trout bite has been decent lately in the creeks and around deeper inshore structure, with the best action coming early in the mornings.
Red drum fishing has slowed a bit recently, but anglers are still catching some in the marshy areas off the river and ICW.
Wayne, of Last Resort Charters, reports that the inshore bite in the Topsail area has been excellent over the past week. Live finger mullet and peanut pogies are producing most of the action, and they’re drawing bites from plenty of flounder (some citation-class fish), red drum (some well over-slot), a few speckled trout, and more.
The fish are feeding around the inlets, inshore structure like docks and bridges, creeks and marsh areas, and more.
Coburn Brewer, of Wilmington, with a 36" red drum he caught and released in the surf near Rich's Inlet. The red fell for a Gulp shrimp on a D.O.A. jighead.
Wayne, of Seaview Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking some spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishermen are finding some action with whiting at night.
Live-baiters have seen a number of tarpon over the last week and hooked several.
Ed, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some spot, a few pompano, and a mixed bag of other species. Shrimp and bloodworms are the baits of choice.
Plenty of sheepshead are feeding around the pier, and anglers can hook them on sand fleas and other baits.
Plug casters are catching a few spanish mackerel early and late in the day on Gotcha plugs and diamond jigs.
Tarpon are moving by the pier.
Alex, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that live baiters have hooked several king mackerel (to 26 lbs.) from the end of the pier, and they’ve seen a lot of tarpon.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs early and late in the day.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some spot at night.
