Topsail September 27, 2007
Doug, of East Coast Sports, reports that inshore anglers are finding good action with flounder, speckled trout, and red drum. Most of the fish are still in the creeks, but a few are feeding around ICW docks as well. All three species will take an interest in Carolina-rigged live baits or Gulp baits fished on jigheads.
Surf and pier fishermen are landing pompano, spot, and whiting on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are chasing bait along the beach as well. Anglers casting from the planks and the sand are catching them both on diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs. Boats can land good numbers of the spanish by trolling Yo-Zuri Deep Divers and Clarkspoons.
Some king mackerel have moved inshore and are feeding within a few hundred yards of the beach. Live baits are the best bet for the kings, but they’ve been difficult to locate lately; however, boats trolling along the outer surf zone should be able to hook up while trolling dead cigar minnows.
Gray trout are schooling up on structure just outside New River Inlet, although many are undersized. Vertically jigging Stingsilvers, diamond jigs, and Hopkins spoons will produce plenty of the grays.
Boats are landing some big grouper 18-20 miles off the beach, and there are some concentrations of gags even further inshore.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing throughout the New River area has gotten even better in recent weeks. While live shrimp generally outproduce artificials when it comes to trout, lately the fish have been biting Storm and Halo shrimp imitations very well, along with topwater plugs when conditions are right.
The trout bite has been spread out along the river, and anglers have landed good catches from downtown Jacksonville to Sneads Ferry over the past week.
Red drum are feeding well in the same areas. Anglers casting topwater plugs along shorelines are drawing explosive strikes from the reds.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that the spot are finally running well. When they’re really feeding, anglers are catching two at a time. Bloodworms are the top baits, but anglers are also hooking up while fishing with artificial bloodworms and shrimp.
Bottom fishermen are also catching some fat pompano on shrimp.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are feeding well around the pier, and both are falling for diamond jigs.
The king bite has been solid over the past week. The largest king caught last weekend was 33 lbs.
Jan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that that fall spot runs are beginning. Both natural and Fish Bites bloodworms are fooling the tasty panfish into biting. Whiting are also falling for the bloodworms as well as cut shrimp.
Anglers are landing some speckled trout from the pier. Most are biting live shrimp, but a few fishermen are hooking them on Gotcha plugs.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also falling for the Gotchas.
Live baits fished on the bottom are tempting strikes from good numbers of flounder.
The water is 79 degrees.
Frank, of Sea View Pier, reports that anglers are landing a lot of spot, along with pompano and gray trout, on bottom rigs. Bloodworms are the top bait for the spot, while the pompano and trout will take an interest in shrimp.
Red and black drum are also falling for baits fished on the bottom, both live and dead. Live finger mullet, cut baits, and shrimp are all tempting the reds. The crustacean-loving black drum prefer the shrimp.
Anglers are hooking up with good numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel while casting diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs.
Live baiters landed two king mackerel over the past week.
Glen, of New River Marina, reports that area speckled trout fishing is on fire. Live baits (mostly shrimp) are the top choice for the trout, but they’ll take a variety of lures as well.
Red drum are also on the feed inshore, and anglers are catching them on topwater plugs.
Spanish and king mackerel are both feeding heavily along the beaches.
The grouper bite is still hot at bottom structure less than 10 miles offshore.
