Topsail/Sneads Ferry – May 2025
Divan, of East Coast Sports, reports that the nearshore action is active, with Atlantic bonito and loads of bluefish along the beaches and out over nearshore structures. Trolling Clarkspoons or deep diver plugs has been the top tactic to generate strikes from both species.
Inshore, the red drum action has been picking up, especially for anglers fishing topwater plugs. A variety of soft plastics and MirrOlures have had success as well, especially when targeting structure in the waterways and shallow water bays.
Surf anglers are seeing a good mix of black drum, sea mullet, croakers, and plenty of bluefish.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that Atlantic bonito have shown up. Boats are doing best over structure and live bottoms in the 2-4 mile range. The smaller Clarkspoons (#00) or Yo-Zuri deep diver plugs work well when trolling to try to mark schools. If on the surface, a 1/2 oz. diamond jig will entice strikes.
Some keeper black sea bass are still over these same nearshore structures.
Inshore, anglers are focusing on black drum and redfish around areas of structure. With cooler water temperatures, shrimp is still the bait of choice, though a few reds are hitting topwater plugs as well.
Sheepshead are working their way inshore and are setting up around some of the deeper hard structures.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that Atlantic bonito are the main target, with good numbers of fish scattered from Wrightsville up to Morehead City. Many anglers prefer casting metals to surface-feeding schools. When not on top, trolling will help put some fish in the boat. Yo-Zuri deep divers, Drone spoons, or bigger Clarkspoons are all having success.
There are reports of spanish mackerel down south, and these spanish should be showing up in the Topsail area any day.
Inshore, red drum are scattered and remain in their wintering areas. When riding through these shallow marsh bays, keep an eye out for fish pushing or nervous water before making casts. Soft plastic paddle tails, artificial shrimp lures, or topwater plugs are all having success in the marshes.
The speckled trout action is slow, with just a few bites here and there. They’re hitting the same lures used to target red drum.
Blake Baddour and crew, after an hour fight, caught this 69″, 104 lb. wahoo offshore of Topsail Island using a homemade lure.
Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that speckled trout are moving out of their wintering creeks and are working along the main river banks. Topwater plugs (such as Spook Jrs.) have been working well. Color isn’t a huge factor, but chartreuse or something with a red head/white body are favorites. As more schools of finger mullet show up, anglers will transition to throwing live bait.
Some red drum are being caught with topwater plugs or Carolina-rigged live bait.
Off the beach, Atlantic bonito fishing has been good for anglers looking to cast jigs at surface-feeding schools.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that Atlantic bonito fishing has been the primary ticket. Most of the fish have been caught on #1-3 planers with smaller Drone spoons or #0 or #1 Clarkspoons. Casting and vertical jigging has shown success when anglers can find schools on their machine. The bonito are anywhere from right outside New River Inlet to over structure in the 50’ range.
There are reports of spanish mackerel to the south, so they should be showing up any day.
Joe, of Atlantic Sportfishing, reports that the Atlantic bonito bite has been on fire. Clarkspoons behind planers or Yo-Zuri deep divers have been getting plenty of action. Success has also come from sight casting diamond jigs to schools busting on the surface. This action has been mostly staged over structure and ledges.
Nearshore bottom fishing is producing jumbo black sea bass.
Gulf Stream fishing is producing blackfin tuna and wahoo, and moving into May, anglers will be looking for the mahi action to jump into full swing.
Jackson Lee, of Burgaw, landed these bonito trolling in 45′ of water near Divers Rock using a Clarkspoon behind a #2 planer. He was fishing with Capt. Joe Martin of Atlantic Sportfishing.
Taylor, of South End Adventures, reports that the nearshore action has been all about Atlantic bonito. These fish are over structure such as hard bottoms and ledges. For putting fish in the boat, trolling larger Clarkspoons or 3 1/2” Drone spoons behind planers are doing the trick. Fish can be found as close as a mile out, though a better grade of fish is in the 4-5 mile range.
May should see king mackerel action picking up. Some kings have already been found out in the 30-mile range.
Moving into May, the keeper grouper season opens up, and bottom fishing efforts in the 12-25 mile range will be producing gags, as well as black sea bass, grunts, and amberjacks.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that the first spanish mackerel of the season have been caught.
The pier has also had good runs of bluefish, as well as a few Atlantic bonito.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that a variety of fish have come from anglers casting jigs. Atlantic bonito, bluefish, and a few spanish mackerel are all in the catches.
Bottom fishing efforts, mostly on shrimp, are producing some black drum (to 12 lbs.), sea mullet, and croakers.
The pier recently had its first sheepshead of the year.
Sean, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts are producing sea mullet, black drum, and some red drum.
Bluefish are being caught by anglers casting metal jigs to surface-feeding schools.
