Topsail October 1, 2009
Cameron Spell, of Raleigh, with a mini-sailfish that fell for a live pogy 10 miles off Topsail Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Mike Pedersen of No Excuses Charters.
Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that the spot run is in full swing, with surf and pier anglers catching them two at a time on bloodworms.
Some larger bluefish and red drum are feeding in the surf as well, and anglers can hook them on metal casting lures or cut baits.
Inshore, the flounder bite has been on in the sound and around the inlet. Red drum are feeding in many of the same areas, and both will fall for Gulp baits or live finger mullet on Carolina rigs.
Gray trout and some flounder are holding on nearshore structure like Diver’s Rock and the first set of boxcars out of Topsail. Finger mullet on Carolina rigs or jigging lures like diamond jigs and Stingsilvers will fool the grays.
King mackerel are feeding just off the beaches, and anglers are hooking them on live baits from the piers and while slow-trolling live baits (like pogies) near bait concentrations or nearshore structure.
Eric, of New River Marina, reports that anglers are finding fast action with red drum and speckled trout in the bays and creeks off the New River and the ICW. Live baits (like finger mullet and shrimp), Gulp baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs will fool the reds and specks.
The flounder bite’s been on inshore as well. Anglers are finding the flatfish in the same places they’re red and trout fishing: near the inlets and around the 172 Bridge. Gulp pogies or Carolina-rigged finger mullet are top choices for the flounder.
Some black drum and sheepshead are still feeding around the bridge, and bottom rigs baited with shrimp will attract their attention.
The spot bite has been picking up in the ICW, and anglers baiting bottom rigs with bloodworms should be able to put together a nice catch.
Anglers are catching some red drum and whiting while surf fishing.
Spanish mackerel are feeding in the inlet and just offshore, and they will take an interest in metal casting lures or trolled Clarkspoons. Schools of false albacore are working the same areas and will strike the same lures.
Gray trout have taken up residence nearshore. Anglers have put together good catches while jigging near the sea buoy and just off the checkerboard tower at Onslow Beach.
Kerry Gibson, of Jacksonville, with a barracuda that fell for a live mullet 10 miles off New River Inlet while he was fishing on the "Reel MCS."
King mackerel are running the beaches and nearshore structure. Live pogies will get their attention.
The gag grouper bite has been solid at structure within 15 miles of land. Cigar minnows, sardines, mackerel, and other baits will fool the gags at bottom structure in that range.
Offshore, the wahoo bite has been solid in the Stream, and boats have reported a few yellowfin tunas as well. The Big Rock seems to have been producing the best blue water action lately.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that the red drum bite’s been excellent around the New River area. Anglers are catching the fish on topwater plugs and Gulp baits in the bays and creeks of the river and the ICW nearby.
Speckled trout are feeding at deeper structure in the river and the ICW. Anglers can find action with the specks on live shrimp or shrimp imitations by Storm, Billy Bay, and Trigger-X.
The trout bite’s also been good around Bogue Inlet lately, and big numbers of spanish mackerel are in the same area.
Jennifer Spencer, Amanda Stauffer, and June Beamer, from Wilmington, with a trio of gag grouper they hooked 10 miles off Wrightsville Beach while fishing with Jonny Spencer on the "Grouper Nugget." The fish fell for Decoy jigs with cut baits.
Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that anglers are finding some excellent action with speckled trout and flounder around Rich’s Inlet. The specks are biting better when the water is clear, and anglers are hooking them on MirrOlures around the creekmouths near the inlet.
The flounder are falling for Gulp baits and other lures.
Edwin, of Surf City Pier, reports that the spot bite has been excellent (with big fish) over the past week. A few whiting are mixed in, and anglers can hook both on shrimp or bloodworms fished on the bottom. A few pompano have also been coming over the rails.
Live baiters are catching some big spanish mackerel and had a good week on the kings last week, landing fish up to 29 lbs.
Jonathan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers casting Gotcha plugs are hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish.
A few red and black drum are falling for finger mullet and shrimp fished on the bottom.
Bottom fishermen baiting up with bloodworms, Fish Bites, and cut shrimp are decking good numbers of spot, whiting, and croaker.
Richard, of Seaview Pier, reports that the spot bite has been excellent lately. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling most of the fish.
Bottom fishermen have also been decking some black and red drum lately.
When the water’s clear, pluggers have been finding solid action with spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Live baiters landed one king mackerel last week.
