Topsail/Sneads Ferry – December 2025
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf and pier anglers have found the best success catching sea mullet off the beach. Those fishing with cut fresh shrimp are also picking up the occasional black drum, with even some speckled trout mixed in.
Back in the ICW, anglers are finding red drum around creek mouths and docks.
Speckled trout fishing has been decent, with fish showing both around the inlets and farther back in the creeks. Soft plastics have been producing most of the strikes.
Nearshore action has been spotty, but most anglers are looking for the arrival of jumbo black sea bass in close. The sea bass should continue to move in in better numbers over the winter months.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that the speckled trout bite has been picking up. The trout are being found both around the inlet and in the backs of creeks off the New River. Finding bait is key, as is using your electronics to locate schools before starting to throw lures. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and Rapala X‑Raps have all been producing strikes, and slowing down the retrieve has been the best way to entice those strikes.
Black drum are a good inshore option in these colder months, with shrimp fished around shell structure or docks drawing bites.
Red drum are mixed in, especially along grass banks, though most of these catches come as bycatch while anglers focus on trout.
Looking ahead into winter, red drum will begin schooling up in the shallows. They typically hold in steady patterns in the colder months and are often found in the same areas on the same tides. With the winter redfish seeing heavy pressure, though, it’s important to stay well off the schools to avoid spooking them.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that anglers are enjoying some fantastic speckled trout fishing as we move into winter. These fish are being found either down around the inlet or way back in creeks off the New River. With water temperatures still holding in the 60s, these trout remain very active and are producing plenty of 20-30 fish days.
Live shrimp under floats, when available, has been the easiest and most consistent tactic. For those fishing artificials, a variety of lures are working, but MirrOlure MR-17s and Slick soft plastics in pink or chartreuse have been the top producers. The MirrOlures shine in shallow (3-4 foot) water, while soft plastics are preferred in the deeper (7-10 foot) range.
As water temperatures continue to drop, the bite shifts strictly to artificials. Suspending lures such as Paul Browns or MirrOlures, along with Slick soft plastics on 1/8 ounce jig heads, become the key options. Slowing down the retrieve is critical, too, as it helps to draw strikes from trout staged in the even deeper (10-15 foot) areas.
Jarret and Jacob Franks, of Burgaw, hooked this 27″ red drum in the Snead’s Ferry area on live mullet.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that nearshore trips have been finding plenty of bluefish and false albacore, with both species expected to stick around through December.
Bottom fishing has been excellent as cooler water pushes fish into the 60-70 foot range. Anglers have been catching keeper black sea bass, along with porgies and vermilion snapper.
When the weather doesn’t allow for offshore runs, heading up into the New River or working around the inlets has provided some great speckled trout action.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that anglers are seeing strong bottom fishing in the 90 foot and deeper range, with triggerfish and plenty of vermilion snapper hitting cut bait.
King mackerel fishing has been excellent farther offshore, especially in the 20+ mile range.
For those making the run out to the Gulf Stream, big wahoo are a productive target and will remain a productive target through the winter.
Closer in, the bigger black sea bass bite is starting to ramp up as we move into winter. These fish are shifting onto shallower ledges and nearshore wrecks, where cut baits or vertical jigs will draw strikes.
Taylor, of South End Adventures, reports that black sea bass make an excellent winter target as they move into shallower structure in the 3-12 mile range. These cooler months always see the bigger class of fish caught. As water temperatures drop further, pushing out to the bigger ledges in the 15-25 mile range will keep the action going.
Some king mackerel are still around for anglers running out to the 25-mile range. Those fishing live bait in this area are also finding false albacore and amberjacks mixed in the action.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that anglers fishing during the low‑light morning and evening hours are finding some smaller speckled trout on fresh shrimp. The same fresh shrimp has also been hooking a few black drum.
Night fishing has been the most productive, with anglers seeing good numbers of Virginia mullet, pufferfish, sheepshead, pompano, and the occasional slot‑sized red drum.
Chris Hagar, of Wilmington, pulled this 5.5 lb. pompano from the Topsail Island surf using a sand flea.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been fairly steady, with anglers seeing a mixed bag that includes pufferfish, black drum (up to 4 pounds), spot, puppy drum, and plenty of whiting.
Some bluefish are still around to add to the action.
For those getting out in the early mornings or late in the day, the speckled trout have been biting.
Tyler, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been the most predictable and consistent action. Anglers using shrimp or bait strips are catching plenty of sea mullet, black drum, a few pufferfish, and even the occasional red drum.
Speckled trout are also in the surf zone, with the bite being best during the low‑light hours of early morning or late in the day.
