Surf Fishing Picking Up

I didn't fish yesterday or today due to a migraine, but I got a call from Ken today and he says the fish bit well in the surf. He saw keeper puppy drum, large black drum, and keeper flounder all being caught by surf anglers this morning and early afternoon. Tommy caught a big black drum this afternoon, but said that after the tide started to fall, the fishing slacked off. I don't have a report from the piers tonight. The weather for the first part of the week is going to be beautiful. Clear and temps in the 70's. Hope the fishing holds. I'm looking for the speckled trout. I still haven't caught my limit this year. Still looking for my first keeper flounder also.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


19935

Vinita Says Spots at SCP

The Surf City Pier website says the spots were biting last night. Big ones. Also puppy drums. This has been a good year for puppy drum. Also black drum. Best year for black drum I have ever had. Speckled trout are here and there in the surf, but not in large numbers yet. Flounder are still biting well, but not many keepers. There are huge numbers of 13 inch flounder in the surf. Maybe a change in the size limits are in order? What about keeping one or two over 12, then the others must be over 14. Just a thought. Let me know what you think.

I had a conversation with an angler about stripers in Surf City. Has anyone caught one here in the last ten or so years? I would like to hear from you. Also, if you have a favorite method of surf fishing for these fish, drop me an email with the info. I may try it here this winter.

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Water Cools-Trout Start to Show

The water is finally under 70. The exact temp depends on who you get the reading from. They range from 69 to 67. But, the much loved and sought after winter game fish, the speckled trout is finally showing up in the ocean. There have been some caught from the piers as well as the surf. Although not in large numbers, they are being drug up on the sand on the beach. North Topsail, south end, and Surf City, a few specks have been caught everywhere. Try your mirro-lure, or jig and grub, it's still too early to predict what the "hot" bait will be this year. Well, except for live shrimp. These are always "hot"! Float them under a cork, just off the bottom, if you can figure out where that is from the surf. Sometimes it's difficult, and a guess is in order.

The flounder are still biting in the surf. The "fish candy" Berkley Gulp Saltwater Swimming Mullet in various colors are hot right now. I've had the most luck with white, but keep in mind that I haven't caught a keeper! That's right, at least a hundred flounder hooked up this year, and not a keeper landed. What's up with that? Any suggestions from my readers?

There are some large, really large whiting in the water, but they are way out. I haven't seen many come from close in like I normally catch them. I always fish right behind the breakers for whiting and red drum, but this year, my strategies aren't working for the whiting. The only large ones I have seen caught are from rigs that have been "heaved" way out beyond the continental shelf.

Spots are being caught from the piers, but the bite is "spotty". Sorry. Couldn't resist. It seems that the spot bite is even more unpredictable this year than ever before. We have been waiting for the NE wind to cool the water, well it's cool and still we haven't had the day's long spot bite that we usually have in the fall. When they are in, the bite is fast and furious, and the spots are nice.

There have been some nice kings caught at Surf City Pier. Only one now and then, and not every day. But they are catching them. And blues, and as I mentioned before, speckled trout, but just a few.

Winter fishing is gearing up.

Tide Predictions
Tide predictions for any location in the U.S. or Canada.

For NEW TOPSAIL INLET, NORTH CAROLINA (edit)

Time Tide Height Tide
5:43 a.m. EDT 0.56 feet Low Tide
11:37 a.m. EDT 3.56 feet High Tide
6:55 p.m. EDT 0.69 feet Low Tide
12:06 a.m. EDT 2.75 feet High Tide
NOT FOR NAVIGATION

Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise, Moonset
For HOLLY RIDGE, NC

Rises Sets
Sun 7:26 AM 6:22 PM
Moon 12:45 PM 10:15 PM
RISE AND SET TIMES ARE EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME

This Afternoon: A chance of rain, then periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 62. East wind between 9 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 62. Breezy, with a southeast wind 17 to 25 mph becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. West wind between 10 and 14 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68. West wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny



19788

Morning Trout Outing Nets Nothing

I tried surf fishing for trout this morning at dawn, but got nothing. I had one fish on about 7am, but it got off before I saw what it was. Around 8:30 I switched to flounder grubs, (berkley gulp) but only got a few bumps and no takers. Tide was full high at 10:07am, water temp is 72 degrees, air temp is 45 degrees, barometer is at 30.12 and rising slowly. The wind is from the west at 5 mph, humidity is 62%. Check out the full weather forcast at TopsailWeather.com.
Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Cold Weather, Water Getting There

I haven't posted in a while. Migraines have been bad. I haven't fished in two weeks until today. Didn't have much luck. But the water is cooling. I think it is about 72, thanks to Chris at East Coast for that reading. Just a few more degrees cooler and the speckled trout should start showing up. The spots are running off and on. I have reports of catches ranges from a few dozen to six hundred. But there still hasn't been that two or three day constant spot run that gets everyone so excited this time of the year. There are still lots of black drum in the water. This has been the best black drum year in recent memory for me. Sea mullet and whiting are still slow. There are some nice ones being caught, but the numbers aren't there like last year. Gary, a friend from Mebane, NC. caught a couple of really nice ones (over two pounds) from near the end of Surf City Pier Monday. He had several others that weren't so large, and released a bunch of smaller ones. The flounder are still biting in large numbers, but not much big enough to keep, just one here and there. Red drum are in the surf. Fish the suds, in really close. You will over throw these fish if you are not careful. They are only a few feet out. Remember these are slotted keepers, and only fish that are over 18 inches and under 27 inches are legal to keep, and the fish and game folks are checking the coolers on the beach and piers regularly. More this year than I have ever seen. Keep up the good work! The boats in the backwaters are still picking up puppy drum in the flats and shallow creeks. In windy conditions, check behind the islands and grassbeds where the water is still. They are still hitting the Berkley Gulp Saltwater Shrimp baits, but as the water cools they may prefer the darker colors such as the copper penny. You can get these at East Coast Sports, Herrings Outdoor Sports, or Surf City Pier. The speckled trout are biting well in the New River, but I can't give you the specific locations, and there is a lot of river there around Sneads Ferry and Jacksonville.
That's all I have for now. Don't forget to Support our local tackle and bait shops to insure they will be here for your next fishing trip. Wallmart don't need our business, but these local business' survival depend on us. Thanks.
Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny



19584

Black Drum and Flounder

I am still not feeling well, so this is short. There are big black drum and small flounder everywhere in the surf and from the piers. The wind is changing from the NE, so maybe the other fish will start biting also.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Thursday Migraine

Migraine all day and night. Be back.

Surf Catch and Release Exercise

My surf fishing expedition today turned into a practice session for catch and release for undersize flounder. I caught nine that were between 12 and 13 1/2 inches length. Most were really hefty. I fished the entire tide from high to low, hoping to pull in a keeper. Flounder were not the only undersize fish that found my bait today. I also caught two puppy drum, one fifteen and the other sixteen inches. I was fishing a hole at Topsail Beach south of Jolly Rodger Pier that held fish throughout the afternoon. I also caught a large mullet, almost two pounds, best whiting catch of the year for me, and a couple of really nice spots. Throw-backs included lots of small sea mullets, pompanos, snapper blues, and lizard fish. I had the whiting and spots for supper with fries, cooked up at Batt's Grill in Surf City. They do a really good job, but they were so busy tonight that service was lacking, and I had refill our tea.

The spots are still hit and miss at the local piers. An all day outing could net you a medium cooler full, and except for a few small flounder and pompano that's about all that is coming over the rail. We are expecting a cold front to pass through our area this weekend, and hopefully, it will cool the waters, and blow the spot schools back in.

That's it for now. Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


18457

Spots Slow as Wind Changes

The spots have slowed a bit. They are still big, but not as many. The wind change has pushed the schools back out and we are getting the outer edges of the schools. We can see the net boats off shore working the schools of fish. There are still enough spots to fill your coolers if you plan to stay for the day, so head on down for a day of fishing. Doesn't seem to matter what bait, shrimp, bloodworms, fishbites, they are hitting them all equally well. Ed at the Surf City Pier has a good selection of all these baits. Make a stop at your favorite bait shop here at the beach for the freshest bait possible. Your continued support of our local bait shops will assure that they can stay in business. On the beach I like to shop at Surf City Pier tackle shop, East Coast Sports, and Herrings Outdoor Sports. Off the beach there is Thomas Bait and Tackle, and on Hwy 50 near Holly Ridge, is Doug's Tackle. All these local shops carry anything you will need for your fishing trip. Drop in and talk to one of the local anglers that hang out at these shops and make your fishing trip a memorable one.

There are a few black drum, puppy drum, speckled trout, and croakers being caught as well as spots, but not in numbers. Lots of flounder are in the water, but most are under size. For the pluggers, there were a couple of kings caught last week, I think about 25 lb., and a spanish or two every day. Blues are out there, but small.

Today's Weather, TopsailWeather.com

6:am: 59°F Today's High: 61°F Today's Low: 59°F
Wind Dir: NW Calm Gusting to: 2.0 mph
Surf Temp: Upper 70s
Humidity: 87%
Barometer: 29.815 in
Falling Slowly
Sunrise: 7:12a
Sunset: 6:41p
Moon: Waning Gibbous

Tide Predictions The Old Farmers Almanac
Tide predictions for any location in the U.S. or Canada.

For NEW TOPSAIL INLET, NORTH CAROLINA

Time Tide Height Tide
5:44 a.m. EDT 0.14 feet Low Tide
11:40 a.m. EDT 3.94 feet High Tide
6:50 p.m. EDT 0.36 feet Low Tide
12:03 a.m. EDT 3.00 feet High Tide
NOT FOR NAVIGATION

Rises Sets
Sun 7:12 AM 6:41 PM
Moon 10:00 PM 12:31 PM



Until Next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny



18377

Spots R Us! Surf City Pier Pulling 'Em In!

Alert! Alert! Alert!

The spots are biting hard at Surf City Pier today. They were pulling them up two at a time, and some were reall nice size spots. I was hoping the Nor'easter that blew through this past weekend would blow the fish in, and it seems that I may have been right this time. They are here now, and I hope they stay for a while. The water is full of mullet minnows of all sizes. I caught 15 flounder in a couple of hours Saturday afternoon, casting a jig and grub from the sand bar. None were keepers, but it was fun anyway. I got broke off a couple of times, and saw one that was a definite keeper. I am still looking for those speckled trout.

Here is the weather report for the next several days, from Topsailweather.com.

Overnight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a high near 79. North wind between 6 and 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 80. North wind around 6 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 70.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Monday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a high near 79. North wind between 6 and 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 80. North wind around 6 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 70.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 75.

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

18246

Migraine, Not fished this weekend

Here is the weather for this week and tomorrow's tides table. Good Luck!

Monday's Tides For NEW TOPSAIL INLET, NORTH CAROLINA from
The Old Farmer's Almanac


Time Tide Height Tide
4:08 a.m. EDT -0.15 feet Low Tide
9:58 a.m. EDT 4.37 feet High Tide
5:01 p.m. EDT -0.00 feet Low Tide
10:19 p.m. EDT 3.44 feet High Tide
4:55 a.m. EDT -0.03 feet Low Tide

Weather from Topsailweather.com

Overnight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind between 7 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Columbus Day: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 78. North wind between 6 and 9 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers after 8am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind between 7 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Columbus Day: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 78. North wind between 6 and 9 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers after 8am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.


Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Weather Change Brings Cold Wind

We had heavy rain last night accompanied by hard wind. The temperature has dropped drastically. The high today will be around 68 and the wind will be out of the N. at about 10 mph. Fishing will be messy today for the angler, but they may be out there. Gear up!

Here is the 5 day forcast from Topsailweather.com

Today's Topsail Weather Forecast
For all of Topsail Island including Surf City, Topsail Beach, Holly Ridge, and Hampstead.

Updated: 7:06 am EDT Oct 7, 2006

Today

Chance Thunderstorms. Chance for Measurable Precipitation 30%
Chance
Tstms
Hi 68°F Tonight

Chance Thunderstorms. Chance for Measurable Precipitation 50%
Chance
Tstms
Lo 56°F Sunday

Showers. Chance for Measurable Precipitation 80%
Showers

Hi 71°F Sunday
Night
Chance Showers. Chance for Measurable Precipitation 40%
Chance
Showers
Lo 61°F Columbus
Day
Slight Chance Showers. Chance for Measurable Precipitation 20%
Slight Chc
Showers
Hi 73°F Monday
Night
Partly Cloudy
Partly
Cloudy
Lo 60°F Tuesday

Mostly Sunny
Mostly
Sunny
Hi 80°F Tuesday
Night
Mostly Clear
Mostly
Clear
Lo 62°F Wednesday

Partly Cloudy
Partly
Cloudy
Hi 79°F

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 68. North wind between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly between 11am and 3pm. High near 71. Northeast wind between 11 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Columbus Day: A slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 79.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 68. North wind between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly between 11am and 3pm. High near 71. Northeast wind between 11 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Columbus Day: A slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 79.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 72.

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


18059

Flounder Bite Picking Up in the Surf

Haven't been out this morning. I am getting a few reports that the flounder bite is getting good in the surf. And I am starting to hear about a few speckled trout being caught with live shrimp and float rigs, not many, but at least it's a start. I am still hopeful that the front that is moving through the area this weekend will push the fish in. Make plans to be here for the start of the fall fishing frenzy. Get your cast nets and head for the tidal creeks and flats or tackle and bait shops and get those finger mullets and live shrimp before heading for the beach.

Be sure to visit the local tackle shops and stock up on fresh shrimp, blood worms, Berkley Gulp Saltwater Baits, red head jigs, white and green grubs, hooks, storm weights, bottom rigs, mirro-lures, and anything else you might need. If you are gonna be here Saturday and Sunday, bring your rain gear. Don't get caught on the beach without the tackle and bait you need when the fish are biting hard! Be prepared!

Here is the weather and the tides for today.

Check out the weather at Surf City and Topsail Island at Topsailweather.com by clicking on the link below. Bookmark this site. It is excellent site for local Topsail weather.

Topsailweather.com


Tide predictions at New Topsail Inlet.

Time Tide Height Tide
1:51 a.m. EDT -0.05 feet Low Tide
7:31 a.m. EDT 4.18 feet High Tide
2:25 p.m. EDT -0.08 feet Low Tide
7:53 p.m. EDT 3.85 feet High Tide
2:36 a.m. EDT -0.16 feet Low Tide
NOT FOR NAVIGATION

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

New Gulp Bait May Be Outlawed By Marine Fisheries!

There is a rumor going around that the new Berkley Gulp Saltwater Swimming Shad is so deadly on flounder that it will soon be outlawed by the NC Marine Fisheries! NAW, just kidding, but from what I am hearing this new gulp is really hot with the flounder. I haven't tried it, but I bought two bags tonight. I will get out as soon as I can and give them a cast or ten. So if you are arriving at Topsail for a weekend of fishing, stop by East Coast Sports or Herring's Outdoor Sports and pick up a bag or three. You don't want to run out. Oh yea, I know it's been a while since you limited out on flounder, so remember the limit is eight!

Please join me in supporting our local tackle shops and buy your bait and fishing tackle from the local stores here on the beach. You will get personal one on one service and help from the folks at each shop, and the experiences you get at these local tackle shops are unforgettable and will be cherished for years to come. It is getting harder for these local shops to compete with the mega stores in the big cities, and they need your support. Remember, Shop Local! This is just my humble opinion, and was not solicited by any business on or off the island. Thanks for listening.

The red drum are still biting in the flats and creeks off the waterway. I had two seperate reports of nice red drum being caught today on spinner baits and grubs.

We have some storms coming through this weekend. I am hoping that this weather will bring the fish on down. It seems that they are hanging around Morehead. I have heard from several sources that spots and speckled trout are biting there. The temperatures are supposed to drop, and this should drop the water temp of the ocean on down.

Below is the weather report from The Old Farmer's Almanac, and Weather.com.

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny




Conditions at NEW RIVER MCAS as of 8:00 p.m. (ET): temperature 73° F; windchill 73° F; relative humidity 73%; wind, south 7 mph; pressure 30.05 inches; visibility 7 miles; ceiling unlimited; scattered clouds.

Tide Predictions
For NEW TOPSAIL INLET, NORTH CAROLINA

Time Tide Height Tide
1:04 a.m. EDT 0.12 feet Low Tide
6:40 a.m. EDT 3.89 feet High Tide
1:31 p.m. EDT 0.06 feet Low Tide
7:03 p.m. EDT 3.86 feet High Tide
1:51 a.m. EDT -0.05 feet Low Tide
NOT FOR NAVIGATION

Weekend Forecast for
Holly Ridge, NC (28445)

Friday Oct 6

Scattered T-Storms

High 72°F
Low 52°F
Precip: 40%

Wind: NNW at 11 mph
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Humidity: 79%

Sunrise: 7:09 AM
Sunset: 6:47 PM

Scattered thunderstorms. High 72F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Saturday Oct 7

PM Showers
High 64°F
Low 56°F
Precip: 30%

Wind: NNW at 11 mph
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Humidity: 70%

Sunrise: 7:09 AM
Sunset: 6:46 PM Full Moon

Showers possible in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s and lows in the mid 50s.

Sunday Oct 8

Showers
High 76°F
Low 62°F
Precip: 60%

Wind: N at 8 mph
UV Index: 7 High
Humidity: 80%

Sunrise: 7:10 AM
Sunset: 6:45 PM

Chance of showers. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 60s.

Yet Another Kayak Red Drum

Congratulations to fellow kayak angler Reggie Whaley for landing a whopping 31 inch red drum from a tidal creek off the ICW this morning near the turning bridge. Reggie caught the fish using a Drum Buster Spinner bait. The drum was released unharmed. Reggie hooked another red drum later in the morning in a tidal flat but was broke off over an oyster bed loosing his spinner bait. That one will have to be replaced. Congratulations again Reggie for a job well done!

Fishing Tuesday Night and Wednesday

Fishing trips to the Surf City Pier Tuesday night, and Topsail Beach surf Wednesday morning netted Ken and myself little more than some nice fresh air and some good friendly conversation. Oh, and a couple of good golden delicious apples that Ken brought with him. The fish were not biting very well, but as in every situation in life, there were good things that happened also. On the pier, someone caught a really nice pompano, probably weighed between two and a half, and three pounds. There were some mullets, we didn't see any really large ones, and we saw some spots. We ever caught a few ourselves. But not enough to make us want to stop and spend time cleaning them.

Wednesday morning's trip was much the same, we used sand fleas, fresh cut shrimp, and fish bites for bait. We beached a few small pompano and a small sea mullet. We were fishing at almost low tide, but both of us had things to do later in the day, so we fish when we can. The skies were clear, and the temp was cool early, but warmed up nicely by eleven when we left the beach.

Tonights Tides;
6:11 p.m. EDT 3.80 feet High Tide
1:04 a.m. EDT 0.12 feet Low Tide

Today's Weather
Conditions at NEW RIVER MCAS as of 1:00 p.m. (ET): temperature 80° F; windchill 80° F; relative humidity 47%; wind, north 0 mph; pressure 30.2 inches; visibility 7 miles; ceiling unlimited; few clouds.

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


17835

RUMOR: 21 SPANISH IN ONE HOUR

I am sad to report that fishing is s-l-o-w ! Well, it's hard to be sad when I am fishing, even if I'm not catching anything.

I finally got Donna in a kayak yesterday morning. She enjoyed the scenery, but says she likes the beach better. We didn't fish, just paddled and enjoyed the wildlife, and harvested a few clams and mussels which I had for lunch. This was a first for me. I love these shellfish, but have never harvested them myself. I have to say that the mussels were delishious, but the clams were gritty. If anyone can tell me how to prepare the clams, send instructions.

Donna and I went fishing in the surf yesterday, and caught a couple of small pompano and one small whiting. No keepers. I did get two really big bites on sand fleas (mole crabs) but didn't hook up either time. My 10 foot baitcaster surf rod doubled over and by the time I got to it, nothing. I changed the #4 2x long shank hook to a 2/o circle hook, but got no more bites.

The local old timers tell me that we need a couple of days of hard (15 to 20 mph) NE winds to drive the fish in. Checking my notes from last year, I am finding that it was pretty much the same as this year. The fish didn't really start the fall bite until around the middle of October. I am hearing that the spots are biting in Morehead, which is what was in my October 1 notes from last year. So we are right on schedule.

I have heard a rumor that 21 spanish were caught from Surf City Pier a few days ago at about 5 in the afternoon. Several pluggers pulled in the spanish during a feeding frenzy that lasted about an hour. I have not been able to confirm this with pier employees, but it sounds like someone has some serious fun if this rumor is indeed true!

Weather Conditions at NEW RIVER MCAS as of 7:00 a.m. (ET): temperature 50° F; windchill 50° F; relative humidity 96%; wind, north 0 mph; pressure 30.27 inches; visibility 7 miles; ceiling unlimited; clear.

Tide schedule today;

Time Tide Height Tide
4:47 a.m. EDT 3.19 feet High Tide
11:29 a.m. EDT 0.47 feet Low Tide
5:14 p.m. EDT 3.70 feet High Tide
12:15 a.m. EDT 0.34 feet Low Tide
5:47 a.m. EDT 3.54 feet High Tide

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny