Topsail/Sneads Ferry – March 2026
Divan, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf action has been slow, but anglers are expecting the action to start turning around in March. One of the first species the beaches will see are the Virginia mullet. Mixed in with that bottom‑fishing action will be some pufferfish and scattered black drum, with cut shrimp being the top bait for all three species.
Inshore, the red drum bite will greatly improve as the water temperatures continue to creep up.
Speckled trout will be mixed in the action, though not too many anglers are expected to target them with the season closed.
Off the beach, black sea bass fishing has been great, and that action shouldn’t slow down at all throughout the month of March.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that anglers have been able to pick away at some bigger schools of smaller reds (to 22”) in the back bays. This time of year, the cold and clear water can have these fish skittish, so anglers need to really stay off them a bit when making casts. Lighter soft plastics (Saltwater Assassin and any variety of Pro‑Cure‑scented paddle tails or grubs) have worked well. Some cut shrimp can also have success.
Anglers will possibly find a few “dink” speckled trout mixed in this next month, but after a hard winter and the cold stun event, speckled trout fishing isn’t something anglers will likely spend much time targeting.
Nearshore will be coming alive somewhat soon, with Atlantic bonito being the first and most anticipated species. The end of March may be too early for this species to arrive with how cold the winter has been, but bonito are worth keeping an eye out for.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that red drum fishing has been the best option for anglers getting out on the water to enjoy the rare nice‑weather days. Most of the success has come from working docks along the ICW with cut shrimp, and some fish are also up in the mainland creeks. For the reds in the backs of creeks, these schools tend to be really spooky after a winter of pressure.
The same cut shrimp setup is also producing some black drum and the occasional sheepshead.
When the window arrives to run off the beach, black sea bass fishing has been great. Anglers are catching most of the better keepers in the 10+ mile range, with some fish shallower than that but running smaller.
Outside the occasional grunt, there isn’t much else holding on the nearshore structures.
By the end of March, there’s always the possibility of seeing the first few Atlantic bonito. April is typically the more likely option, though each year is a little different.
Fred Pope, of Jacksonville, with a 28″ speckled trout that hit a subsurface hard bait in the New River. He was fishing with Capt. John Parks of Early Riser Charters.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that the red drum bite in the New River has been fairly good this winter. Fishing deep ledges and structure (8‑20’) with a peppermint‑colored Slick soft plastic has been great, and that tactic likely won’t change too much in the next month.
There are trout still around as well, but they aren’t as cold‑hardy as the reds. The trout can be targeted using the same tactics used for the reds.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that black sea bass fishing has been really good in the 15‑20 mile range. There’s been plenty of quality fish, and squid and cut minnows have been the bait of choice, with jigs also producing when the bait isn’t.
Also in this range are snapper, porgies, and octopus. Bottom fishing trips will remain the most consistent action until temperatures really warm up.
Trolling anglers have been able to find an occasional king mackerel bite in warmer pockets of water, with false albacore also starting to be more present out there.
The area should start seeing schools of bluefish offshore (20+ miles) any day now, and the blues should be in the waterway by mid‑March.
After the arrival of bluefish, anglers hope to see some early signs of Atlantic bonito by the end of March.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that cut shrimp is the key to success for this time of year and has produced a few black drum for the bottom‑fishing crowd.
Pier anglers also saw some scattered red drum over the month of February.
Moving into March, most of the action will be made up by black drum, scattered red drum, and sea mullet.
Bluefish, croakers, and possibly some pufferfish will round out what the pier will likely see brought over the rails in March.
Surf City Pier was closed at the time of reports.
Adam Herring, of Hampstead, with a 4.4 lb. pompano reeled in from the Topsail Island surf using fresh shrimp.
Taylor, of South End Adventures, reports that March is looking to be a tough month for fishing, unless the area gets a quick warm‑up from where the water temperatures currently stand.
Black sea bass are currently the best option, and they will continue to be the best option heading through March, with the majority of keeper fish out over structure in the 20‑mile range.
Looking towards the end of March, anglers should be gearing up for the first signs of Atlantic bonito arriving in the area. These fish typically show up first over structure in the 10‑20 mile range and will push onto the beachfronts as water temperatures continue to rise. Trolling with #4 Clarkspoons or Drone spoons behind planers is the best way to put fish in the boat.
