Topsail/Sneads Ferry – August 2025
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that nearshore anglers continue to pick away at a bunch of bluefish and a handful spanish mackerel while trolling spoons.
Structure out a bit deeper is holding scattered king mackerel as the kings are moving in search of slightly cooler water.
A few mahi are around, with most of the action coming from the 20-30 mile range.
Bottom fishing is a great summer option, with vermilion snapper, black sea bass, triggerfish, and keeper grouper species out in the 120’+ range.
Inshore anglers are catching mostly red drum and flounder on both live or cut baits. Grass banks, oyster bars, and docks are all areas to target.
Some keeper sheepshead are coming from hard structure (such as bridge pilings or docks) in the area.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that red drum fishing has been steady. The fish are scattered, and a piece of cut menhaden is really tough to beat this time of year. The heat can also have the reds lethargic, so don’t get discouraged and move around until you find a group that are ready to feed.
Some speckled trout are holding up along grass banks. Almost all of the trout are being caught in the first 30 minutes of the day with topwater plugs. Lightly weighed soft plastics can also entice bites after that daybreak bite.
Off the beach, spanish mackerel fishing has been a bit off all year.
Bottom fishing has moved a little deeper with the heat, with the 60-70’ areas being the most productive.
A few cobia are around. They aren’t something to specifically target, but keep an eye out whenever you are off the beach.
Chris Wilson, of Wilmington, caught this 42 lb. king mackerel off Jolly Roger Pier on a live pinfish.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that a few speckled trout are being caught with topwaters in the early mornings around the inlets and along the waterway.
Red drum fishing has been fairly reliable. Some of the bigger fish moved out with this run of heat, but a class of 18-24” fish are still around. The incoming tide has seen better action thanks to the slightly cooler water pushing in. Topwaters have produced bites early or late in the day, but cut menhaden overall has been the top option as they release more scent and help bring these scattered fish to the boat.
Spanish mackerel fishing off the beach remains slow. The best bet for putting some fish in the boat is to target water that’s a little deeper (35-40’).
For bluefish, the story is similar. Schools of bluefish are around, but no action is hot right now.
The nearshore structure (1-4 mile range) is holding black sea bass, grunts, and sharks.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that bottom fishing has been the most productive of the offshore trips. The fish have moved a little deeper with the hot water, so anglers will do best by focusing on the 80-120+’ areas for keeper black sea bass, amberjacks, barracuda, grouper, and plenty of snapper.
Spanish mackerel are really scattered off the beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons deep (under planers) is the most reliable way to try and track down a bite.
Audrey Mills, of Surf City, caught this 23″ spanish mackerel trolling a Clarkspoon behind a planer near Topsail Island.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that bottom fishing remains a reliable tactic for anglers looking to put some meat in the boat. Vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and keeper black sea bass are all out over structure in the 100’+ areas.
These same areas have held a few cobia, with cobia unable to resist a live eel.
Anglers should keep an eye out when bottom fishing nearshore, as the mahi have pushed in and could show up anytime.
Gulf Stream runs are producing blackfin tuna and the occasional wahoo.
Taylor, of South End Adventures, reports that spanish mackerel are scattered off the beaches.
The nearshore structures are holding a bunch of amberjack and barracuda.
Dropping down to the bottom in this area is producing plenty of strikes from American red snapper and gag grouper (to be released).
Only a few king mackerel and nearshore mahi are being caught.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that a lot of bait is hanging around the pier, and the presence of bait often help sthe fishing action in these mid-summer months.
Anglers fishing in the evenings have been catching speckled trout, spots, bluefish, and croakers.
During the day, it’s been mostly bluefish and spots.
A number of tarpon have been hooked from the pier, but so far all have managed to jump off.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts are producing bluefish, the occasional pompano, and the standard small summertime species.
Those casting jigs have enjoyed spanish mackerel and bluefish action, especially early in the day.
Anglers live bait fishing off the end of the pier have caught king mackerel (to 16 lbs.) and some barracuda (to 20+ lbs.).
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that in the heat of summer, the action can be hit or miss, but using natural baits (live or cut) can be the difference in creating a successful day. Bottom fishing efforts with natural baits has produced sea mullet, pompano, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, and bluefish.
Flounder are consistently being caught (and released).
Anglers out sight-casting Gotcha plugs or diamond jigs are picking up bluefish and spanish mackerel, with the early morning hours being best.
Those fishing live baits off the end of the pier have hooked into some larger spanish mackerel (3-7 lb. range), a couple kings, and even some tarpon (60-130 lbs.) every now and then.
