Topsail Beach Update

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

Hello from Topsail Beach! Early mornings have been producing spanish mackerel and blues from the piers using gotcha plugs or diamond jigs. Later in the day, live bait, (shrimp, finger mullet, mud minnows) fished on a carolina rig under the pier is getting a few flounder. Not many keepers, but a few. Later in the evening, you could catch some spots, pompano, or sea mullets on sand fleas, cut shrimp or blood worms. Live finger mullet or cut mullet fished in the suds could net you a red drum. There are also a few speckled trout being caught on live shrimp fished under a cork. Sea mullets, spots, pompano and red drum are in the surf, I like sand fleas or really fresh cut shrimp for bait. Kings are being caught from the end of the piers, not in big numbers, but the big numbers could be in any time. They are catching big kings, up to 35 lbs just off the beach trolling live menhaden from boats, so they are close. There should be some tarpon moving in any day now. On the sound side, you have specks, red drum, and flounder. Use the same carolina rig and live bait for the red drum, and flounder, and a popping cork and live shrimp for the specks. Summer fishing is here, there are not a lot of anything, but there are some of everything around.

News Brief from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Boaters Reminded to Boat Safe, Boat Sober This Summer

As part of Operation Dry Water on June 26-28, wildlife officers and cooperating law enforcement agencies will conduct saturation patrols, checkpoints and educational efforts throughout the state's waterways. For more information, click here. Operating a recreational vessel while under the influence of an impairing substance or with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is illegal. Penalties may include fines up to $1,000 and jail.

Fish for Free on July 4

On July 4 from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., anyone—resident and non-resident—can fish in any public water in North Carolina, including coastal waters, without a fishing license or trout privilege license.

All other fishing regulations, such as fish length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions and park-use fees, apply. For more information, click here.

Purchase a License

Headed to your favorite fishing hole this summer? If so, be sure to check your license before leaving home to make sure that it hasn't expired. Annual licenses are good for one year from the date of purchase.

The Wildlife Resources Commission offers licenses to accommodate a variety of needs and situations. Click here for a full list of licenses, including lifetime, and prices. To purchase a license quickly and easily, click here; or call 1 (888) 248-6834 (hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 days a week; or visit your local wildlife service agent.

2009-2010 Regulations Digest

The 2009-2010 North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Regulations Digest is now available free to the public here, by visiting a licensed service agent or by writing to the following address: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1722. For questions, call customer service.

Have a safe and blessed holiday!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny