Topsail Island, A Short History


Local folklore claims the name, Topsail (pronounced Tops’ul), dates back to the 1700s when pirate ships roamed the coastal waters. The pirates hid their ships in the channel behind the island and waited for passing merchant ships loaded with goods. Eventually the merchants became aware of this hiding place and began to watch for the tops of the pirates' sails peeking above the oak trees on the island — hence the name Topsail Island. There are those who believe the famous pirate Blackbeard buried a treasure of gold on Topsail Island. In the mid 1900's, there was an effort to find the treasure in when a group of treasure hunters came to Topsail Island in search of Blackbeard's gold. The treasure hunters employed several locals and dug a huge hole on the island that would become known as the "Gold Hole." But in the middle of the night after several months of digging, the treasure hunters disappeared. Did they run out of money? Or did they find the treasure in the "Gold Hole" and leave the workers empty handed? No one really knows, but I prefer to believe that the treasure is still buried somewhere on this wonderful island.
There are three towns on the 26 mile long Topsail Island: North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach. There are about 3500 year round residents, but the population swells to ten times that during the summer months. The locals refer to "Topsail Time." A state of mind that can infect even the most dedicated worker or employee, when time seems to stand still, your problems just fade away with the sounds of the splashing, churning surf. Donna and I were not born here at Topsail Beach, but we got here as quick as we could!!!! We love this island.
Johnny and Donna

Topsail Beach Fishing Reports and News

Topsail Island Tide Predictions

New Topsail Inlet Tides
New River Inlet Tides

June 26, 2009

NEW CIRCLE HOOK SEASON STARTS JULY 1

Fishing Topsail Message Board
Topsail Area Charter Boats
2009 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

A note from N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission.

Contact: Patricia Smith

Date: June 25, 2009 Phone: (252) 726-7021

NEW CIRCLE HOOK SEASON STARTS JULY 1


MOREHEAD CITY – A new seasonal requirement for using circle hooks in the Pamlico Sound and its tributaries starts Wednesday.

From July 1 to Sept. 30, fishermen must use circle hooks, short leaders and fixed weights when fishing between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. with natural bait using large hooks (greater than 4/0) in the Pamlico Sound and its tributaries.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission adopted the rule in November in an effort to reduce post-release mortality in the recreational catch-and-release red drum fishery. Research has shown that the use of large or intermediate sized circle hooks, combined with a short leader and a fixed weight, reduces the incidence of deep hooking (gut hooking) in the red drum fishery.

The regulation was recommended in a N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan.

For the purposes of this regulation, a circle hook is defined as a hook with the point of the hook directed perpendicularly back toward the shank and with the barb either compressed or removed. The fixed sinker should weigh at least 2 ounces and be secured within six inches of the circle hook.

The exact wording of the rule, with GPS coordinates, can be found on page 24 of the 2009 North Carolina Rules for Coastal Fishing Waters, which can be downloaded from the DMF Web site at http://www.ncfisheries.net/download/2009_MFC_Rulebook.pdf. An illustration of the appropriate circle hook tackle can be found at http://www.ncdmf.net/download/circlehookreddrum.pdf.

For more information about the requirement, contact DMF biologist Lee Paramore at (252) 473-5734 or Lee.Paramore@ncdenr.gov.

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nr-28-09


Donna and I went for a swim this morning. We didn't fish, just swimming and beach combing. There was a huge pod of bottle nose dolphins playing in the surf, in less than four feet of water. They were jumping and playfully "surfing" the waves. What a treat!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna
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