More Specks!

More speckled trout were caught today in the surf, with a few caught from Surf City Pier.I got out to the surf about 8am, and caught another beauty, a 20 inch fighter that jumped all the way out of the water when she was hooked! Oh yea, first cast. I had great expectations for a quick limit and an early breakfast, but it was not to be. I didn't catch another one. I saw another dozen on the beach most about the same size as mine. The trout were hitting MirrOlures and grubs, and seemed to like the "Purple Haze" grubs best. That is what I caught mine on, and I know of at least three more large specks caught on the same lures. I am not sure of the number MirrOlure the trout were hitting, but it looked like the plain mullet, just black on top, with silver sides. I have one in my box that's been there for a long time. I fished with a "rainbow" MirrOlure today, but didn't have any bumps. A doormat flounder was caught right beside me on a mullet colored MirrOlure by friend and fishing bud Michael. You have seen Michael's stringers on these pages before. I have more pictures of his to post, I just have to get to them. Richard, a fishing bud, and Michael's father-in-law, caught a huge 20 inch whiting, which had to be at least two and a half pounds, on a live shrimp! At first they thought it was a puppy drum. I'll let you know more when I get the details. They will be sending pictures when they get back home to the computer.
News from the Surf City Pier.... The spots were really biting today around noon, two at a time! Spots in the middle of November? What's going on here? With these fish runs occuring so late, are we going to have the trout schooling all the way through December? Could be. Stay tuned..........

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Saturday Morning

I didn't get a speck from Surf City Pier this morning, but I did see a couple of beauties caught on bottom rigs and cut shrimp. The water is muddy, and that may explain why the grubs and MirrOlures aren't working that well. All the rigs I saw had the red beads or red skirts. Maybe the color or the flash attracted the fish, maybe not. The spots are biting shrimp also. They are nice size, and are biting on the south side of the pier. It seems they were pushed in by a school of bottle nose dolphins. I caught a 13 inch flounder using a Gulp Swimming Mullet Chartreuse with the first cast this morning. FISH CANDY! But that was the last hit I had on the Gulp except for very small blue fish that kept biting the tails off my grubs. It is low tide now, and I am going back for a couple of hours after I put supper in the crock pot. I heard of some nice ones coming from the surf this morning, all up and down the beach at Surf City, and from the surf at North Topsail Beach. They are also biting around the inlets, north and south. MirrOlures in clear water, if you can find it, and live shrimp which are always good. I have been having great luck with the Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet in Chartreuse color, even in dingy water, if I can keep the blues off it. I stopped by a couple of surf holes on the way home and saw another big speck being pulled in on a bottom rig. The angler said cut shrimp was the bait. Come and Get'um!!!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny


21533

Speckled Trout

There were more speckled trout caught today from Surf City Pier. I didn't go anywhere else, so I can't say if any were biting in the surf. The bite was slow, but one every now and then was brought over the rail. The picture above is the speck that I caught today. It bit a chartreuse Berkley Gulp Saltwater Swimming Mullet, (4 inch) on a red jig head. I lost a couple more before I got them into the net. The water was still pretty rough and extremely muddy, and I was suprised that any trout at all were caught. They seemed to be biting only jigs and grubs, and bottom rigs baited with cut shrimp. I didn't see any caught on MirrOlures. Most anglers were fishing the grubs really slow. There was no one trout fishing from the surf near the pier with the exception of a few bottom fisherman. I also caught a nice whiting on a short stint of bottom fishing from the end of the pier. I had a gulp saltwater bait to get bit in half by a ?????, and so I cut what was left into chunks and baited a bottom rig with it. The whiting bit a chunk of gulp saltwater bait. FISH CANDY! EVERYTHING LOVES THIS BAIT! I also saw quite a number of black drum thrown in coolers, some two pounds or more. It was also a good morning for puppy drum, and Dad caught one on a tandem bucktail that was just under the slot, and was released. As I was heading into the pier this morning, someone gave me a bag of bloodworms. I gave them a try for a bit, but all I could get was tiny spots that were small enough to use as flounder bait. So I gave up on that idea after about ten minutes, and went back to casting my jig and gulp. It was a beautiful day at the beach, rough and muddy water, but a great day of fishing!

Until next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Bad Storms, Rough Surf, Tornados

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of the tragic tornados in the eastern part of our state today. Reiglewood suffered some of the worst damage, and the last I heard, there were eight fatalities. God Bless you all.

Bad weather today has kept most everyone from fishing. The surf was really rough, with high winds, gusts to 40 mph and driving rain. I looked at the surf several times during the day, and there was no hope of doing any fishing. The storms passed later in the day, and things calmed a bit. The rain has stopped. Donna and I walked on the beach this evening about 8:30pm, and the wind and surf had laid down a lot. It's going to be cooler tomorrow, but it should be nice for fishing. Hopefully the trout will be back. Water temp is in the low 60's, which is perfect for speckled trout. I have heard from several folks that the whiting bite has been good at other parts of the beach, places where I normally don't fish. So I guess I just missed it this year. There is talk that lots of the huge two pounders were brought in using fresh ocean shrimp, mole crabs (sand fleas), and blood worms. The talk is that they will be moving out when the water cools below 60. So the speckled trout and toads, or blow fish, will be the fish of choice for anglers for the next month. So feed the need! Come on down and get that last fishing trip in while you can. I haven't heard of any stripers being caught around Topsail Island in many years, so you will have to head north after next month if you get that fishing bug. Well, let me get to bed, so I can drag out in the morning and get some of the specks while they are still hanging around! Oh, baits...... MirrOlure 808, and the new MirrOlure holographic series are doing great, as are Berkley Gulp Shrimp, and Jerk Shad in the new Rootbeer color. Give them a try, and don't forget to buy them at our local tackle shops.

Thanks, and until next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny



21434

Curse Broken, SPECKLED TROUT CAUGHT!

THE CURSE IS BROKEN!!! I have never fished for speckled trout so hard, or so often ever before in my life. It almost became an obsession, to catch that first speck. Everyone else was catching them, why couldn't I? What was I doing wrong? I started to question my techniques, and abilities. I mean, when the guys standing in the surf on both sides of me are catching trout day after day, and I can't get a bite..... And when my friends and neighbors are bringing speckled trout home everyday, and I can't get a bite.....But I was catching other fish, I lost four MirrOlures to big drum in the darkness, and one to a blue that cut my line like it was cooked pasta. (Actually, I only saw one of the drum, I am only guessing that the others were drum.) But that speckled trout that I wanted so badly eluded me for weeks. Anyway, I caught my first keeper speck of the season just after daylight Tuesday morning, so I can stop thinking about getting skunked this year. She was a 17 1/2 inch beauty that ate a gulp swimming mullet. Not surprised at the bait are you? I'm not. Fish Candy! Dad caught a nice black drum before we came in about 9 am. There were several specks caught, but not "The Blitz". I still haven't seen "The Blitz" this year, but I have heard of several, always where I fished the day before, or where I left just an hour before "The Blitz" started. Reports are that the specks are biting steady from New River Inlet to New Topsail Inlet. They are biting MirrOlures, jig and grubs, tandem jigs, and of course live shrimp. That's what catches the largest ones. I have tried to catch some live shrimp with my cast net, but I haven't found any in a couple of weeks. I guess they have gone deep or buried. But the trout are finally here, they may not be here long. So if you are a trout person. If you love standing in the surf in your waders with the freezing cold wind blowing, get on down to Topsail Island, because the winter trout season is underway.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Speckled Trout Are in the Surf! Expect More to Show Up As Water Gets Colder

Speckled trout are in the surf from Surf City Pier to the old Barnacle Bills. They are hitting most any MirrOlure, and they seem to be biting mostly before daylight, with a secondary run at dusk. I have seen several limit stringers which included some nice fish. There are still some puppy drum being caught, although specks and red action slowed somewhat for today due to the weather. The windy conditions made fishing tough and keeping a tight line was next to impossible. Close to 7:30pm this evening the wind changed, and the water calmed a bit, but by that time the tide was so low that there was not much water. Weather should be a little better tomorrow, although colder. But that's ok, after all, IT'S THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER! I tried but had no luck with some Berkley Gulp Saltwater 3" Shrimp, bought from East Coast Tackle, and the Berkley Gulp Saltwater 3" Swimming Mullet in new penny, which came from Herring's Outdoor Sports. Both local tackle shops which is where I buy all my fishing tackle, bait, and supplies. I support all the local tackle shops and bait stores, just doing my part to make sure they will be able to continue in business and be here when I need them. It is getting harder for them to compete with the super stores in the big cities. Other local stores that I shop at include Doug's Tackle, near Holly Ridge; Surf City Crab, and Thomas' Bait and Tackle. Please join me in supporting our local bait and tackle shops. I am still blank when it comes to keeper specks this year. I have tried everything except live shrimp, and I am just about ready to go get some. Oh, I almost forgot, get bloodworms for big, BIG whiting. Big two pounders are pouncing on bloodworms like they haven't eaten in weeks. Fill your coolers!

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


21115

Bite Good in Surf

Trout are in the surf before daylight, and in good numbers it seems. Still, I have been skunked, although I hooked up with two rather large reds before dawn Friday. Both broke my line taking my MirrOlure with it. I saw one limit of trout that was caught before I got to the "hole" at 5:15am. After that, I saw only one nice speck caught. The weather is wonderful for people, but not so good for fishing. The water is way to warm. It is November 11, and I fished in shorts, a tee shirt, and bare feet. My feet should have been numb with cold. But not so. It is just too warm. Don't get me wrong, fishing is good, fishing is always good. But catching could be better this time of year. There have been a lot of fish caught, but everyone isn't catching them like like normal. Waiting for the water to cool.
The large whiting that we anticipate every fall and early winter are finally showing up, but they are not biting fleas (mole crabs)like they usually do, or even fresh ocean shrimp. It seems this year the white monsters prefer bloodworms. Fresh bloodworms, not artificials, even Berkley Gulp SW bloodworm aren't working like the real thing. You know how I hate to spend ten or even twelve bucks for a dozen live bloodworms, but maybe I will splurge and buy a bag tomorrow. Donna is going to fish with me in the morning, and she loves to catch the big whiting as much an I do, maybe more! I know she usually outfishes me. She did today, pulling in an almost keeper flounder, short by less than 1/8 inch! We started to keep it, thinking it would grow another 1/8 inch in about twenty minutes, but we decided against it, lest the "man" make his weekend walk down the beach checking coolers before flattie had a chance to grow that 1/8 inch. Donna also pulled in a big whiting, almost two pounds, which I happily devoured for supper, and another shorter flounder. I had a small black drum. It was a beautiful day on the beach, fishing was good, but catching wasn't much to brag about unless you had the bloodworms, or got out of bed before 4am. We fished with some old friends, had some good conversation, met some new friends. All in all, a wonderful day on the beach! God has blessed us!
Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


21068

Michael Makowetski Fourteen Spot Red

Pictured here is the beautiful fourteen spot red drum caught last Sunday by my friend and fellow angler Michael Makowetski. Michael was fishing with light spinning tackle looking for flounder when the lunker hit a Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet. After a good five minute battle and numerous long drag screaming runs, Michael landed the red in rough surf on 8lb test line. This has got to be the most beautiful redfish I have ever seen. As you can see in the other picture, Michael not only caught the red, but also caught a nice stringer of keeper flounder. Nice stringer Michael, I look forward to fishing with you again. Maybe I can learn something!


Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


20968

Not Fishing, but Nice Buck from Moore County, NC

My fishing trip this morning was a bust, but my family in Moore County, North Carolina had better luck with their hunting Saturday. Josh Kimball, straight shootin' son of my cousin Joe Kimball from Moore County, North Carolina killed this nice buck at 6:25am Saturday morning with one shot from a muzzle loader. Josh is the handsome young man on the left. His daddy Joe, known locally as RiverJoe, is the not so purdy one on the right. haha! Josh is known around the county as a straight shooter, and always gets his share of big bucks. Hunting is a family affair around the Kimball household, as RiverJoe's oldest son Joey Kimball also joined in the Saturday deer hunt as well as RiverJoe's brother Dan Kimball. Congratulations to Josh for a job well done, and my love to the rest of the family. Hope to see you all soon.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Black Drum Flounder Reds Trout

What would you call the list in the above title. A winter mix? Well that's what was biting this morning when I went for an early morning surf fishing outing. I personally caught the black drum and mullet in the picture above, but the other fish were coming in around me. A friend, Mike, that fishes here most every weekend caught his first and second red drum today. The first was caught on a slider drum rig with live shrimp, and the second hit a Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet (white) while Mike was casting in the surf for flounder on a falling tide. It took Mike every bit of five minutes to land the 23 1/2 inch red with the light spinning tackle and 8 lb test line. The red was the most beautiful redfish I have ever seen, with four spots on one side and ten on the other for a total of fourteen spots. It was fat, and must have weighed eight or nine pounds. Mike also caught a couple of keeper flounder. He started his day about 5am, and was still there when Donna and I left the beach about one in the afternoon. Great job Mike. Hopefully Mike will send me a picture and I will post it to the blog.

Speckled trout have also been biting. I still haven't caught a keeper, but it seems everyone else that has wet a line has. They are biting everything from cut shrimp to mirro-lures and especially live shrimp. I have seen some huge ones, six and seven pounders! I will keep getting out there early in the am, and I will eventually hit the run and get my limit. Trout isn't my favorite fish to eat, but I love to catch them, they are so elusive.

The large whiting are still slipping away from me this year also. I have caught some, but not the large "over two pounders". A couple folks have said that they have caught some "whoppers" on bloodworms, and this year they aren't feeding on mole crabs (sand fleas) like normal because the fleas are buried so deep. Could be, I guess, but I have found lots of fleas right near the top on the incoming tides, and still haven't had much luck with the big whiting.

The piers are doing about the same, with small spot runs now and then, but nothing major. There are some big sea mullet and whiting being caught near the end, but not in big numbers. Black drum and puppy drum are the big guns near the surf, and are keeping most anglers busy. There have been some nice ones brought over the rails. The die-hard flounder anglers are still catching nice numbers of flounder, but keepers are not talked about much. I suspect that just like the speckled trout there are more being caught than are being reported. These guys and gals just don't like to advertise their success.

So winter fishing is heating up. Pardon the pun. Things are looking good. If you know where you can net some shrimp, live shrimp, even in the surf, is a good bet for large fish. Live mullet minnows would be my next choice, but they are hard to find in the surf right now. Make a trip down south to the inlet where they are easier to find. Next comes FRESH FRESH FRESH cut shrimp and cut mullet for large catches. And for you anglers that like the artificials, it's got to be the Berkley Gulp Salt Water baits. The swimming mullet seems to be the hot one right now, with white the color for bright sun shine days and new penny, orange, or pink the color for overcast conditions.

Remember to buy your bait and tackle at our local bait and tackle shops. Your continued support will assure that they will be able to compete with the large "Bass Pro Shops" and stay in business to be here for your next fishing trip to this fishing paradise. In addition to the piers, of which Surf City Pier is my personal favorite, there is Herrings Outdoor Sports, and East Coast Sports. Off the island there is Thomas Bait and Tackle, One Stop Bait and Tackle, and near Holly Ridge there is Doug's Tackle. No matter which is your favorite, you will walk away with your fishing needs satisfied, and probably have a new fish tale to share with your friends back home. There seems to always be someone hanging around these shops eager to talk fishing with visitors.

So till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny




20564

First Red Drum in Surf

Friend Susan with her first red drum.
23 1/2 inches long weighing almost 6 lbs
Caught on 8 lb test line with cut shrimp.
Congratulations Susan! Well Done!

Spots on Wrong Side of Pier!

Something new for me. The spots were biting today, sometimes two at a time, but from the south side of Surf City Pier. Something I have never seen in the fall and winter. I didn't see the first fish come over the north pier rail. Someone said the wind pushed them in on the south side, but the wind is from the north west, which here on Topsail is off the land. So the wind is not responsible. The spots were huge. They were biting on the farther out half of the pier in the deeper water. In the surf, the black drum still rule the day, with lots of them being caught. Mullet are starting to bite fresh shrimp, but are still shying away from sand fleas. (I still don't understand why they aren't biting fleas) The flounder are still biting well, but not many keepers are being caught. Puppy drum around 20 inches are coming in regularly on cut shrimp. Blues are small but plentiful. And last but certainly not least, speckled trout are in the surf early in the am.

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.

Tomorrow's Tides
High 04:34AM Low 11:17AM High 05:10PM

Here is the weather courtesy of Topsail Weather.com

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 41. North wind between 10 and 13 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind between 9 and 13 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind between 8 and 11 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 11 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind between 9 and 11 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Thursday: Clear, with a low around 41. North wind between 10 and 13 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind between 9 and 13 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind between 8 and 11 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 11 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind between 9 and 11 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


20356

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

Big Blues-Finger Mullets in the Surf

A 22lb king was caught from Surf City Pier yesterday. First one in a while. The pluggers have been catching a few blues in the morning along with some nice size spanish. The flounder bite remains good, with a few keepers coming over the rail each day. There are a few mullets at night, with a few spots, but not big ones.

I decided to try my luck in the surf this morning. I had my line in the water a little after seven. My bait consisted of three dozen live shrimp and four dozen live finger mullets. The mullet minnows were a little on the large size. The morning started out with a bang. I baited up with shrimp, and started throwing a mirro-lure hoping to latch onto a speckled trout. My bottom rig (shrimp)doubled over then went slack. I tightened the line, the fish made a hard run when it felt pressure. I gained a little ground, then another hard run, and then the line got tangled on something under the surface, and my line was broken. After tying another rig, and baiting with another live shrimp, I went back to casting my mirro-lure. After a couple of lost shrimp probably to pin fish, I got another good bite, this time bringing the fish all the way in to the breakers. But luck was not on my side, and a breaking wave knocked a big spec off my hook, just as I dragged it onto the sand. Fish 2, Horner 0. My friend Tommy got there about the time I was finishing my rant about loosing my biggest spec of the year.

Soon after big schools of mullet minnows were moving south down the beach, and with them came the blues. Big chopper blues. We went through all the shrimp, and all the finger mullets by afternoon, and I was in the surf throwing my cast net for more. We ended up catching 3 nice choppers, which Tom and Susan put away along with some fresh shrimp for their supper.

We should have caught more, but I didn't have any wire leaders, and I got cut off I don't know how many times. I thought I was going to run out of gear before I ran out of bait. After getting a hard bite, we would have just the head of our mullet minnow, or just the tail, whatever part we put the hook into was the part the blues would leave behind. Other anglers up and down the beach tried throwing gotchas and other lures, but the blues wouldn't bit anything but the live minnows. At times the water was black with bait fish.

But all in all, it was a fun day and one thing I learned is that I should always have a couple of wire leaders in my box. Another thing is that the speckled trout are starting to show up in the surf. Go to your favorite tackle shop, if you are going to be on Topsail Island soon, visit Chris at East Coast Sports, or Steve at Herring's Outdoor Sports and find out what the most popular mirro-lure colors are for this year. I haven't heard anything about the Berkley Gulp Salt Water baits for trout, but if they work for specs like they work for flounder and reds, better stock up on them while you are at the tackle shop also.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Flounder and Nothing Much More at Pier

There are some flounder being caught from the Surf City Pier during the day. Most are biting finger mullets, which are kind of hard to find, so I am being told. I haven't been out too much lately. At night there are a few virginia mullets being caught, but not much else. Where are the spots? Waiting on a sustained NE wind, so the ol'timers tell me. Keep in touch with Chris at East Coast Sports or click his website for the latest in weather information. Stock up on "Fish Bites" before the run starts, they will get scarce. Chris has a full rack!

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Migraine-Northeast Wind

I have been in bed all day with a migraine. I went to doc this morning for a shot to put me down for the day. Hopefully I'll be back soon.

Weather says NorthEast winds tomorrow (Wednesday), this may bring in the fish to Topsail Island. Especially the spots. If you are not working tomorrow, and you like spots, got on down here and try them. Spots love the new Fish Bites, and you can get more than one fish on one little half inch piece. My Dad caught 12 spots last month on one piece. You can get them at East Coast Sports, and are very reasonable if you consider the amount of fish you can catch on a bag. Another thing I like about them, they don't stink if you leave them in the truck! If you like the fresh live worms, East Coast has them also, or you can get them at Herrings.

Until Next Time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


17220

Fellow Kayak Angler - Email

This post is a series of emails and responses I received from kayak angler Andrew from Sneads Ferry, who reads the blog and is asking for tips for catching reds. I am posting them with his permission. If you would like to correspond with Andrew, send me an email and I will forward it to Andrew to get the channel of communication open. I hope you enjoy.

Begin Emails.



andrew wrote:

I just wanted to drop you a line and say that I am enjoying your blog. I
check in frequently. I recently got into kayak fishing myself, but haven't
had much luck. I noticed that a lot of your pictures look like they are
taking from the dock behind Herring OS. I put in there once, do you live
around there? Maybe I will see you on the water.

Well, anyways, just wanted to say hi and I appreciate the posts.

Take care,

Andrew


My response;
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:27:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Johnny Horner" Add to Address BookAdd to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: Hello
To: "andrew"

Hi Andrew, Thanks for your email and for reading my blog. I do live near Herrings. Steve (at Herring's) is a good friend, and I usually put in at Herring's dock. Do you live in the Topsail area or vacation here? Fishing has been really bad in the surf and piers this year, I have been fishing more from the kayak, hitting the creeks and flats. I have been lucky with the reds this year. And finding the "fish candy" Berkley Gulp was a big help. The fish really love it. I am sorry you aren't having much luck with the drum, if you have specifc questions, I'll be happy to help if I can. Keep in touch.
Johnny


Andrew responded;

Thanks for the reply,

I live in Sneads Ferry, but I travel around putting in at different spots.
Have you had particularly good luck at certain spots. I have fished back
behind Herrings in the creeks, the Chadwick Bay and surrounding ICW, and I
let in on the south side of the island and fished across the ICW in the
creeks. If you have any recommendations please let me know.

Thanks,

Andrew


My response;
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 05:38:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Johnny Horner" Add to Address BookAdd to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: Hello
To: "andrew"
I love Sneads Ferry Andrew. Donna and I brought our family to Topsail Island in the late 70's for our annual vacations, and I had to make the annual pilgrimage to Sneads Ferry just to take in the sights of an authentic fishing village.

Andrew, these fish are just about everywhere off the ICW. Try the larger "flats"areas first, and if you don't find them go to the smaller creeks. They are usually in very shallow water, from 18 inches down to 8 inches. Chris Medlin at East Coast Sports caught one behind his store in less than 8 inches of water. My favorite bait is the Berkley Gulp 3" White Shrimp, which you can get at East Coast, but they will bite spinner baits, live shrimp, finger mullet, pogies, and even cut shrimp when they are feeding. I think the key is to be quiet. The stealth and the ability to fish in very skinny water is what I like about the kayak. I use the wind and current to my advantage, and position my boat where they will move me over where I want to fish without having to put a paddle in the water. If you are using a carolina rig to present the bait, get the very small egg slip sinkers. I think mine are 1/8 ounce or maybe 1/4 ounce. I got them at East Coast which is the only place I have found the really small ones. I think the big splash of a larger weight might spook the reds. Sometimes, if the wind is really calm, I even rig with just a swivel and no weight. I don't use the red beads for this rig. Stay away from high traffic areas, and look for grassy banks that are near oyster beds. Reds love crabs, and crabs love oysters. Hope this helps. When you go to East Coast to get your Gulp and 1/8 oz egg weights, talk to Chris. He has caught more reds than I will ever catch and I know he can give you some more pointers.

Thanks again for the email, and good luck with the reds.

Tight lines!
Johnny



Thanks again Andrew for allowing me to post your emails, and good luck with the kayak adventures. If you only try one thing I mentioned, let it be the Berkley Gulp Saltwater 3" Shrimp, (East Coast seems to always have the 3" in stock) rigged carolina style with the small egg sinker or no weight at all. Throw out the bait a good distance from the boat and let it drift with the current. If you don't get a hit, try throwing to the banks, and move it very slowly. Thats the way I have had the most luck with this bait.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Happy First Birthday Anna!

This is a picture of our youngest grandaughter Anna who was one year old on September 19, 2006. Anna's Mom and Dad are our Son and Daughter-in-Law, Scott and Jennifer, and Anna is their first child. Anna spent her first birthday at the beach with her MawMaw and PawPaw Horner. (That's us!) There are some more picture posted below of Anna and her Proud Mom and Dad, Scott and Jennifer.

The picture below is our other three granddaughters Christina, Erin, and Breanna. These lovely treasures are our Daughter Emiley's and Son-in-Law Ryan's daughters. And of course, you already know grandson Zack, which is pictured below also. God has blessed Donna and I with these wonderful children and grandchildren which we love and miss so very much. We look forward to our next visit with each of them.

No Fish, Rough Surf, South Wind

I fished a bit in the surf today. The surf was very rough. I didn't get a bite. Tommy came over to the beach at low tide, and he found some fleas, they were in the waters edge at dead low tide and deep. He only found a few here, and a few there. Unusual, I usually find them farther up the beach. Donna and I went to the pier. Nothing going on there today either. There have been a few flounder the past few days, and a couple of black drum. We are still waiting for the wind to change to NE. I haven't seen or heard of a king or spanish in weeks. Still hoping for the trout as the water cools some more.

Slot size drum are still being caught in the shallow tidal creeks and flats off the ICW. Slow fished spinner baits, or Berkley Gulp Shrimp seems to be the best baits. I am starting to hear of a few being caught on live mullet and live shrimp.

Till next time...
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Son Scott, First Kayak Redfish

Our son Scott, daughter-in-law Jennifer and Granddaughter Anna are visiting from Conover this week. We are very happy to see them. Anna is growing so fast and we don't get to see them as often as we would like to.

Scott and I went out for his first kayak fishing outing Wednesday afternoon. The wind was out of the South something and nothing much was biting from the pier of surf, so when the wind lay down a bit we decided to give the kayaks a try. We paddled out to the ICW, trailing carolina rigged Berkley Gulp 2 inch Shrimp. I like 3 inch better, but Herring's was sold out of the three inch. Chris at East Coast Sports has the three inch Gulp Shrimp in stock now, but I didn't get there before we left to go out. On the way out I caught a small flounder which was released. We arrived at our intended location, tidal flats just off the ICW, and I started throwing a Mirro-lure while Scott was rigged with a spinner bait with a white currly tail grub (gold metal flake). Both of us were trailing a Berkley Gulp as we drifted with the breeze. After about an hour from the time we left the dock, Scott hooked up with his first red. He didn't seem too impressed, as the fish swam straight toward the boat, and Scott remarked "It's not very big." But when the red saw the kayak, it rocketed away with a reel burning run that caused Scott to hollar like us southern boys do, "OH MAN!"

After three more schorching runs and a couple of 360 kayak spins, the red was landed and measured. 26 inches. "Yea Scott, not very big. Any bigger and you would have to release it!" A while later, while Scott was exploring the flats and throwing the spinner, and I was anchored to fix a problem with a reel, the drag on my trailing rod began to scream. I realed in a 23 inch red which was released. (I have three in the freezer)

Scott said he had great fun. We got lucky for his first trip out. Isn't that the way is goes? Fishing is a great activity, and God aproves. That is why he always lets new comers catch a big one. Then they are hooked!

Until next time...
Tight Lines!
Johnny

From Cullowhee to Surf City!

Congratulations to Herb Potts who drove from Cullowhee, North Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina to try his luck with red drum. Well as it turn out, Herb's luck with the elusive red drum is pretty good. He hook up with a nice'un, a 23 inch slot fish that bit a piece of cut shrimp on a carolina rig and quoting Herb, "made several blistering runs before I could get him in the boat."

Herb was fishing in from a kayak rented from Herring's Outdoor Sports in Surf City. If you haven't hooked up with a five or six pound "puppy" drum while fishing from a kayak with light tackle, you have "missed the boat". The rocket like runs that these torpedo shaped fish make are nothing less than spectacular, and in my opinion makes the name "puppy" drum completely laughable.

Wind Still Wrong

The wind is still out of the SW and pretty strong, 15 to 20, the ocean water temperature at Topsail Island is in the middle to low 70's, and fishing is slow. The early morning is bringing a few blues and spanish from the piers, and a few pompano, black drum and flounder from the piers and surf. The speckled trout should have started showing up in numbers by now, but I haven't heard much about them. Nighttime fishing is slow, with a few sharks and small sea mullets. With winds forecast to change Thursday to NNE, and then E Friday, maybe the fish will move back in and fishing will improve. I will watch it closely and let you know. Sand fleas have been hard to find, but they are there. I have found them about 8 to 10 inches deep from five to seven feet from the max high tide line. They are easiest to find on a rising tide, as the wave action is washing some of the sand from the fleas. Best to dig your fleas early then fish near high tide for the large mullet, black and red drum. If you are looking for the bigger florida pompano, try casting to the sandbars baited with a sandflea.

We are waiting for the wind to change, and blow the schools of spots and mullets inshore. So, check the weather, and look for the NE wind, which will produce best on Topsail Island this time of year.

Oh yes, Herring's Outdoor Sports has bloodworms. I think price is $10.50 a dozen, but call ahead to be sure. Telephone number is 910-328-3291.

East Coast Sports is having a sale on fishing reels. The last time I was in they had Diawa reels, BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!!! WHAT A DEAL!!! See Chris, Doug, Cathy (manager in training) or one of the other helpful folks at East Coast Sports, and let them help you with a new reel just in time for speckled trout season.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Migraine

I woke up with a migraine Saturday morning, and it just got worse. I finally went to fueled up with meds and went to bed at 3pm. And only got up for BR breaks until about 5 this afternoon. Nausea, which was really bad last night and this morning, has eased a bit, and I actually ate a sandwich a bit ago.

Sorry, nothing to report as far as fishing goes. I know the wind has changed, and I heard this afternoon that the spots that were biting earlier in the week had slowed a bit. I know the water has cooled a little more, and that should mean the specs will start showing up early mornings if they haven't already. I think Herring's Outdoor Sports will have more of the large bloodworms Monday or Tuesday morning. Call them or send me an email and I will check for you before you make the trip.

I will get some more info posted as soon as I can out. Hopefully by morning, I will be able to face the sun.

Until next time...
Tight Lines!
Johnny

I See Spots! And Spot Tails!

More about the beauty above in a moment!

I had a pretty bad migraine this morning so I didn't go with Dad to Surf City Pier where the spots have been biting for a couple of days. This is not a "BLITZ" now, but a nice yellow belly spot every ten minutes or so isn't a bad morning. Dad came home with 20 nice yellow belly spots, and only fished for a few hours. Shrimp wasn't the bait of choice today however, and Dad visited the bait shop at the Surf City Pier and bought a bag of Fish Bites, Shrimp Flavor. This stuff is like candy to spots. They love it! And the great thing about Fish Bites, is you can catch as many as half a dozen spots on one little piece. So they don't cost very much in the long run when you figure how many spots you can catch with a bag of them. Spots isn't the only fish biting although they are the star of the show. There are also a few black drum, croaker, puppy drum, and the occasional flounder showing up in a few coolers on the pier also.

Now, as for the BEAUTY at the top of the page, I caught this one tonight (Wednesday) while fishing off my back porch. I did't weigh the BEAST but she was 22 1/2 inches long. She bit what is fast becoming my favorite bait for drum as well as flounder, Berkley Gulp Saltwater 3 inch Shrimp. I bought these at Herring's Outdoor Sports. Herring's has all the Gulp Saltwater line in stock. Herring's also has some beautiful bloodworms FRESH from the farm in Maine! They have the LARGE worms in stock, and at Herring's, you get a full DOZEN, NOT JUST 10, like you might get at some other places.

My Mom and Dad, sometimes referred to as "Momenem" (southern speak) are visiting this week from Burlington, North Carolina. I wanted to take Dad out in the kayak, but it's been too windy so far this week. As I said earlier in the post, I woke with a migraine this morning, and Dad went to the pier and wore the spots out. Later in the day, I was feeling better and the wind had died down a bit, so we loaded up the kayak and headed up the creek to see if we could locate a couple of red drum. We scored with a couple of flounder, both just a bit too small, but we couldn't find any reds, So we headed back home just before dark anticipating the fish dinner we had planned for the evening. After the "yak" was unloaded and put away, we went inside getting ready to go out for our meal. We were taking our catch from earlier in the week to Batt's Grill for a "Bring Your Own Feast". Just as we were leaving, I tossed the Berkley Gulp Saltwater Shrimp I had been fishing with earlier in the afternoon, into the creek and set the rod down on the porch. We gorged ourselves on fish, fries, hushpuppies, slaw, and a gallon of sweet tea. The fish was cooked to perfection, and the fries, slaw and hushpuppies were cooked just crispy enough. We ate our fill, Mom and Dad went back home, and I walked down to IGA and waited with Donna until she finished work, then rode home with her.

After we returned home, I went to the back porch to get in my fishing rod and reel, and as I reeled in the slack, I was supprised with a blistering run by the nasty old drum at the end of the line. It was dark by now, and I couldn't see into the water to see what I had hooked. I called for Dad to bring a flashlight, and to our suprise, we saw the beautiful red, shinning in the light. She had been hooked up by the circle hook for a while I think, because she didn't have much more fight left in her. The one long run was the all she had left, or so I thought, until I tried to pick her up from the waters edge in the grass. Off she goes again. Not a long run, but flopping one side to the other, making it almost impossible for me to get hold of her. I thought I was going to loose her before I could get her landed.

So, now I have another fish tale for the pier, during the slow times, and for when I call the grandchildren, especially Zack. He always ask if I am catching any fish. So this time, I can say, "Yea man, wait 'till you hear about the big one I caught from the back porch!"

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Spots at Surf City Pier

Breaking news.....
Spots are biting at Surf City Pier. They are nice size too! They aren't coming up two at a time, but folks are catching good numbers. Seem to be biting bloodworms better, but some are being caught on shrimp also. Herring's Outdoor Sports has nice big fresh bloodworms if you need them.

Until Next time...
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Red Drum at North Topsail Beach! WOW

Here is an email I received from a family on September 4th that vacations on Topsail Island. The Brothers family, also FishinTopsail's Blog readers, recently spent their summer vacation here and sent these pictures as proof of their fishing success while enjoying our wonderful beaches. Bruce had emailed me about their success and I ask him for pictures which he graciously sent. Thanks to Bruce and family, wife Karen, and son Christopher, for sharing their vacation, and congratulations to all for a wonderful stringer of fish. Besides the two shown in the pictures, they caught two more, and all four were released to fight with another angler yet another day!

email follows;

"Hi Johnny,

Wanted to get these to you earlier but I've been busy back in NY getting ready for the opening of another school year. We had a killer day about 2-3 weeks ago. One afternoon we cought a 29", 26", 22" and 20" Puppy drum. This picture is the 29" fish that my son Christopher cought. You can tell by the smile on his face that he was happy with his catch. The next picture is the 26" fish that my wife Karen caught.
Feel free to add them to your blog.

Sincerely,

Bruce Brothers"


My apologies to Bruce for taking so long to get these posted. I had a problem getting the pictures to open for the blog. I finally got it solved. Thanks again Bruce.

A reminder, I will be honored to post any pictures of anyones catch in the Topsail area. Just send in a digital pic attached to an email, jpeg format, along with the fish tale that goes with the picture. I am thinking of awarding a prize for the best fish tale if I get enough response. Something to think about.

Until next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Housework Bad! Fishing Good!

The view above is what I see as I look out my window while typing my blog entry. Ask me if I believe in God. This beauty can not be an accident.

Before I start my report today, I would like to give a shout out to my new friend and fishing bud Donald. Donald is a military man, back from Afghanistan now serving his country in our area. I met Donald on the SCP last night and we fished and talked for a while. God Bless Donald and his family, and all our military families for their great sacrifice while protecting US, YOU AND ME, OUR WAY OF LIFE, AND OUR FREEDOM. As I have said before and will say again.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! IT MUST BE PAID FOR. IT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE BLOOD AND BRAVERY OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US. IT IS BEING PAID FOR NOW, BY THE BLOOD AND BRAVERY OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SERVE, AND IF WE ARE TO REMAIN FREE, IT WILL BE PAID FOR TIME AND TIME AGAIN. BECAUSE THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE WHO WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. DO YOU REALIZE THAT THE LONGEST A DEMOCRACY HAS EVER LASTED IS ABOUT 200 YEARS? DO YOU KNOW WHY? MOSTLY BECAUSE ITS PEOPLE BECOME COMPLAISANT AND LOOSE THE RESOLVE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR FREEDOMS WHICH THEY JUST LET SLIP AWAY.

SO IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS SERVING OUR COUNTRY, GIVE THEM A CALL OR SEND A LETTER OR A CARE PACKAGE, JUST LET THEM KNOW YOU SUPPORT THEM. IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

GOD BLESS YOU DONALD, GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, AND THE FAMILIES OF ALL YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS SERVING OUR GREAT NATION!

Now, to fishing.....
After a week long migraine, my to-do list gets long. And, since I am retired, and do nothing outside the home, but fish, and occasionally a stretch of making some pottery, I do all the housework. So now that I have my chores caught up, (sort of) I hit the pier Thursday and Friday nights. A stiff wind was "in my face" as I stood on Surf City Pier looking towards North Topsail Beach, which is just the conditions that Donna's dad, locally known as "Mr. Lee", always said was the perfect wind conditions for a night of fall fishing. Well, Mr. Lee was right on Thursday night, because I landed no less than six different kinds of fish, and most were nice size fish at that. My stringer was highlighted by a couple of two pound black drum, perfect size for grilling, and a 15 inch gray trout. The gray came with a humorous story which I will share sometime when I don't have fish to talk about. Also included in my cooler was croaker, bigger than usually for this area, but not big enough to be called "Chesapeake croakers" like my brother Jesse, (lives in Virginia) catches in the Chesapeake Bay and James River that weighs up to two pounds. I also landed a nice puppy drum, but no matter how I stretched the fish, it wouldn't hit the 18 inch mark on my fish ruler. Fishin' bud and friends Ken and Karen contributed some large spot and sea mullet making a nice night of fishing on the Surf City Pier. I have to give some of the credit to the beautiful ocean shrimp that I bought at Herrings Outdoor Sports. They were so fresh they were practically swimming! As impressive as I thought our stringer of fish was, it paled in comparison to some others. There were coolers with as many as four black drum, not small ones like mine, but huge ones with tails sticking out of the cooler tops. There were coolers half full of nice spots. A flounder, about two pounds was caught by Mike Becker, author of the weekly fishing report in the Topsail advertiser and publisher of a fishing blog called "Topsail Angler".
During the daytime on Surf City pier, the guys and gals who target sheephead are getting a few, and friend and fellow angler Glenn has an eight pounder to his credit this year. Glenn has the touch with sheephead. Glenn is also catching some nice spanish plugging with gotcha plugs.
Most of the serious pluggers are catching blues and spanish during the morning hours, and bottom anglers are catching blues all day and into the night. As for spanish, they were so thick Thursday, now get this, that a guy bottom fishing caught one on a piece of cut shrimp and a bottom rig right behind the breakers! Neighbor and friend Tommy while throwing his cast net in the breakers near old Barnacle bills pier had a large spanish or small king pass within a few feet of where he was standing. So what I am saying is, the fish are thick! Bait is everywhere. Large schools of huge row mullet are passing by the pier one school after another. Most are just out of reach of cast nets, but a few are being caught by the serious cast netters.
As the flood water from the recent storm makes it's way down to the sounds and inlets from the rivers and creeks upstream, I am concerned that the huge influx of fresh water doesn't run the abundance of fish we seem to have back out into the deeper water. If that happens, we will just have to wait until they return.

On another note, I have always heard that when we see yellow butterflys coming in across the ocean in the fall, the huge yellow bellied spots will follow close behind. Well I have seen a few in the past week. But as I am sitting at my computer looking out over the salt marsh, what seems like hundreds of them are flying inland. So hopefully all the lovers of the famous panfish that has a festival named after it, the "Spot" will have all they can catch in the coming days. So if any of you are reading this, get your gear ready and loaded in the truck or van, or wagon, or however you get here, 'cause,

them spots, they are a comin'!

Till next time.....
Tight Lines!
Johnny



16015

Finally, Water Cools, Fish Return to Surf City Pier

Send Johnny an E-Mail
I went fishing last night for the first time in a couple fo weeks. I joined friends Ken and Karen, Andreaus, Karen, and Mike. My wonderful, loving, UNDERSTANDING wife, Donna, was working. I have to say that it wasn't my night, but any time fishing is good, right? I only caught two very small spots, but the fish were biting. And they were biting well. All up and down the pier, anglers were pulling in the fish. Puppy drum, sea mullet, croaker, not the croaker we usually see in N.C. but big Virginia croaker. And spot, the yellow belly spot that usually show up in late September or early October. And black drum. I have never seen so many black drum, in the two to three lb range, caught on the same night. One lady caught three black drum that would go three pounds easily. She was fishing with artificial bloodworms and fresh shrimp, but using a bottom rig that had colorful skirts. Skirts that, according to her, "matches my shirt". Well Ken went to the pier house and returned with an identical rig, and although it didn't "match" his shirt, it seems that it makes a difference, because Ken did have a monster on the line, but dropped off on the way up. What a night for us not to have a drop net. Looked to me like the black drum would have went five pounds easily. The north side was diffinately the better side, but fish were coming over the rail on the south side as well. I had a good hit on my penn gear, set up for drum with a fish finder rig and spot head. But when I locked down the spool, the fish pulled loose with the fish head. Andreas' son Mike was the "HERO" of our group, pulling in fish after fish, mullet, pompano, and croaker. Not little ones either. They will make a fine meal. I think Mike is going to give pier fishing lessons every Thursday and I am going to get my reservation in before the class fills up! Thanks to the recent tropical storm that dumped at least twelve inches of rain on Topsail Island in 24 hours, which cooled the sea water down from 84 to 81 degrees. That doesn't seem like much but something happened to turn the fish on, and I can't think of anything else.

So if you if you have been waiting for the fish to come in, seems to me the wait is over. October may have come early this year. Get your stuff and come on down.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the puppy drum and flounder were still biting in the tidal creeks and sounds off the ICW before the storm. I don't know what effects Ernesto will have on the waters behind the island. But try using the Berkley Saltwater Gulp Shrimp, thats what they were biting last week. It seems the best way to fish them, is not to. Just let them lay, or move with the current, and hold on.

Just a note, Herrings Outdoor Sports has fresh
bloodworms. Go gettum' while you can! Those spots just love 'em!

For pictures of last nights fishing at Surf City Pier, click on the link below.

Surf City Pier Pictures

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Tropical Storm Nearly a Hurricane

The picture above, illustrates why I don't surf.

Sorry I haven't posted. I have had a killer, KILLER, migraine. This one has lasted most of two weeks. But, here we go. Tropical storm Ernesto made landfall just south of Topsail Island at Long Beach, putting us in the North East quadrant of the storm, which the hurricane experts say is almost as bad as a direct hit. We had twelve inches of rain in a 24 hour period. Lots of street flooding, some sound and tidal marsh and creek flooding but overall we did OK. There is a lot of debris laying around but I didn't see anything major.

Now to fishing. As I said I haven't fished in over two weeks. But I heard that there are fish to be caught. They aren't jumping in the coolers, but a little patience and persistence will pay off. It is August, the water is HOT, 84 degrees F. but their are some good fish hanging around our beach and sounds. Kings, spanish, blues, sheephead, mullet, spot, spadefish, croakers, trout, and flounder are being caught. Not in large numbers, but they are being caught. And the same folks are not catching everything. Surf anglers are catching some mullets, larger whiting, spots, an occasional flounder, black drum and some puppy drum. On the pier during morning hours, pluggers are getting some spanish and blues. The big rigs on the end of the piers are getting the occasional king and even a record tarpon. Anglers dragging minnows are getting flounder, mostly small, but some keepers. Live shrimp under a float are getting a few speckled trout. So, fishing is not dead, but pretty good for this time of year. And, it's only going to get better as the water cools.

Hopefully I will be back in the water soon. Thanks for the emails from wellwishers. I am feeling some better.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny!