Ain't No Fish in This Pond!

I talked to a surf angler recently, and he said "Ain't no fish in this pond!" I guess that says it.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny


28534

Bad Weather

Wind is blowing, rain is falling. I haven't heard of anything coming from the surf, or inside. None of my fishin buds are fishing, and it's too nasty for me to go out and check. Way to windy for a kayak. Weather man on www.topsailweather.com is calling for rain tonight and Monday, ending Tuesday morning. High temps are in the middle 50's, lows in the low 30's. Maybe Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning I will be able to get out. I have been catching mud minnows, so I have the bait ready. Planning to hit the ICW in my kayak and see what's biting.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny
"FishinTopsail"

South Brunswick High School Flounder Release Program

I read this story in the North Carolina Sportsman's Magazine email newsletter. I recommend reading this article. I am proud of these young folks for taking an interest in our fishery.


School goes to bat for flounders
By Jerry Dilsaver

Everyone probably has his own definition of a project that has “come a long way.” Here’s an example that definitely fits:
On Nov. 9, 2006, the students of a high school aquaculture class that 20 years ago raised bass and catfish in a flooded ditch at school property became the first group to release hatchery-raised southern flounders into North Carolina waters and the second group to release flounders into U.S. waters.

The aquaculture class at South Brunswick High School, located near Boiling Springs Lakes, has been an exceptional group since its humble beginnings. Students have led the way in a number of local fish-stocking endeavors and research projects.

Click on the link below to read the complete story. This teacher and his students are really concerned with their environment. It’s a good read and worth your time.


http://www.northcarolinasportsman.com/details.php?id=310


Till next time….
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Fishing a Distant Memory

I haven't been fishing recently because of a lot of different reasons. But I am itchy to go, and I will as soon as I can. A few trout are still being caught in the surf, although they are small and scattered. Specks are coming over the boat rails on the inside in the creeks and deeper holes off the banks of the ICW. Puppy drum are in the shallows and flats after the water is warmed by the sun. So get out there if you can. And let me know what you are catching.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Another great day on the inside. The angler also caught four more trout that were released, and four red drum. Two OVER THE SLOT! Way to go Caro17. I think gulp shrimp was the bait.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Inside Report

Got an email from fishin bud Caro17 tonight. He had a good day on the water behind Topsail Island. Here is some of his comments.

"HAD A PRETY GOOD DAY TODAY . MADE IT OUT FOR 4 HRS ENDED UP CATCHING 11 SMALL DRUM, MOST ABOUT 16 " 4 TROUT LARGEST 20" AS PICTURED AND ONE 13" FLOUNDER. SO ANOTHER GREAT DAY OF WEATHER AND FISHIN IN EASTERN N.C. LOVED IT , GO GFET UMMMM."

So, the fish are still here. We just have to get up and get out there. Congratulations to Caro17 for a great day of fishing, or should I say catching. Thanks for the report. Keep'em coming!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Migraine

I've had a bad migraine this week. Haven't been out to get any fishing info. Hope to be back in action soon.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Cold Front

Haven't been able to fish for a couple of days, but I heard from a friend that Mr. Nick caught a couple of small trout from Surf City Pier Monday. No keepers. The water temps are in the mid 50's with west winds at about 5mph. The current temperature is 33 at 8:23 am. Should be a good day for casting those jigs and mirrolures in the surf. Inside, the small specks and puppy drum are still in the creeks and drum in the flats after the water warms. Good Luck!

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


27680

Surf Bottom Fishing

Went bottom fishing in the Surf City surf Saturday with my cousins RiverJoe and Terri. Nothing was biting, but we had a wonderful day on the beach, even got a little sunburned. With temps in the middle 70's, it didn't seem much like Janurary. We tried cut shrimp and cut mullet. Didn't even get a bite. I am hearing that there are still some trout in the surf, mostly on high falling tide. On the inside, the creeks and flats are still holding nice specks and puppy drum. Fish light jigs with Berkley Gulp Jerk Shad, 4 inch, or Gulp shrimp 3 ro 4 inch. Best color seems to be new penny or watermellon. Anglers in the know say that this mini cold front that is coming through Monday should help the trout to school up and be easier to catch. Hope that is the case.

PS. Hey Cuz Riverjoe and Terri, we really enjoyed your visit. Come back soon.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

New Years Eve Trout

I didn't fish for the last couple of days, migraine. Speck fishing in the surf may be slowing down, but the speckled trout are still around. Friend Tommy caught a trio of nice keeper trout on an outing to the surf on New Years Eve. All were caught on grubs. Tommy released several smaller trout. Sorry I don't have a pic, my camera is out of order.
Good job Tommy!

Inside, the trout are still biting grubs and live bait. You can find them in the deeper holes off the bank. Live shrimp are getting hard to find, but other minnows including the hardy mud minnow will entice a bite. Med size puppy drum, a few in the slot, are also being caught in the shallows around grass beds and oyster beds off the intracoastal. Be sure to use a stout shock leader, to keep the drum from cutting your line in the oyster beds. I use at least a 15lb leader about 10 feet long, and everytime I come in, it is nicked up really bad. I change the leader every trip. I would rather take the few extra minutes changing it than have a nice puppy drum break it off.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny