Check out the updated Topsail Island fishing report below.

Topsail Island Tide Predictions

New Topsail Inlet Tides
New River Inlet Tides
Check out the updated Topsail Island fishing report below.

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 a day 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 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 at Topsail, but we got here as quick as we could!!!! We love this island.
Johnny and Donna

Topsail Beach Fishing Reports and News

June 20, 2009

SC Pier Youth Fishing Tournament

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

Hello from Topsail Beach. Surf City Ocean Pier is having a Children's Fishing Competition and Celebration on Saturday, July 4 with prizes, games and awards. This event is free and will expose youngsters under the age of 16 to the excitement of fishing in a fun, educational, and safe family oriented environment. 10am to 2pm with awards at 2:30pm. All children will receive a certificate of participation. For more info go to www.surfcityoceanpier.com

Fishing offshore continues to be very good. Huge Bull Dolphin and nice kings are being caught in the six to ten mile range. Surf fishing is picking up on Topsail Island. Virginia mullet, spot, croaker, flounder, pig fish, and red drum are biting in the surf, just behind the breakers. I like to fish high tide, two hours before and two hours after peak high tide. There are lots of sand fleas in the surf for bait, even at Topsail Beach, where they have been scarce for the last couple of years. On the piers, anglers are catching spots, mullets, croaker, flounder, sheepshead, pig fish and sharks on bottom rigs. Spanish and blues are hitting gotcha plugs and diamond jigs all along the pier. I talked to one angler, Linda, who caught an eight pound chopper hatteras blue just behind the breakers at Surf City Pier. On the inside, it's much the same as the last couple of weeks. Scattered speckled trout and red drum are being caught near the docks on the falling tide, and along grass lines near oyster beds on the rising tide. Some nice flounder are being caught in Banks Channel behind Topsail Beach. Live finger mullets and live pogies seem to be producing best. Fish these live baits on a carolina rig with a large enough weight to keep the bait near the bottom in the current. I am hearing sheepshead are biting near the turning bridge, and near the high ridge bridge, and also around docks off the waterway. Forecast is looking good, so good fishing.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny