Hello All:
Great site.  I’m in information overload.  My name is Scott and I live in Winston-Salem.  I have loved fishing since I was a kid, but it was always freshwater.  I’m a newbie to saltwater. A few years ago I was introduced to surf fishing and pier fishing.  Good times!  Next week I’ll be at Topsail Beach for the 1st time on vacation with the family (boat in tow and all the gear we can stuff in her and the truck).  Have plenty of questions and hope I’m not nuisance.

Questions for you guys:

1. Where to put in, how are the ramps, how’s the parking?  We are staying in Topasil Beach

2. Once we’re in, where do we go?  Have 3 different types of fishing trips.  First trip, I have to put my 6 year old daughter on fish NOW.  She doesn’t have the patience for a trip with no fish instantly (I do a lot of bream fishing with her).  I’m thinking Pinfish? She doesn’t need a trophy, just something tugging at the other end of the line to keep her interested.  Second trip is for my 9 year old son.  He’s a little more patient.  Any suggestions?  Drift fish or troll in the sound?  Third is for the wife and me.  Been reading all these great posts about Spanish and King in the inlets and nearshore.  Hope they’re still there next week.
Pretty sure I do not want to venture offshore this trip even though Mahi Mahi is tasty.

My boat is a seventeen foot 1972 Mako.  Any input you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
New-2-Salt

First let me say WELCOME to the site!  I’m glad you found it useful and home you have a great visit next week.

The closest ramp to you is probably going to be the town marina at what was formerly called Bush Marina.  You’ll see the signs for it on the main drag.  It has limited parking and I think they charge for using it (maybe 5 or 10 bucks).  There is a great ramp in Surf City just as you come over the swing bring from the mainland on the right side.  Lots of parking and its free. 

For your daughter, pin fish is the way to go and finding them should be no problem.  Go near any structure (docks, oyster beds, etc) drop some shrimp or cut bait down on a #6 hook and you should be in business.  For you son’s trip I’d recommend trying around the docks and other structure using live bait or soft plastics if you want to cast some.

For your trip, on a calm day just head out of Topsail inlet and look for the birds diving (works well early in the morning) and head for that area.  If no Birds, look for what is called a tide line (where the color of water changes dramitically) and pull some baits around the edge on the clearer side.  If neither of those two are around, just head up the beach after clearing the shoals, trolling at about 5 knots.

Fire away with any other questions you may have.  Also keep us posted on yoru trip and if we can help with any info just let us know.

Tight Lines!

Mike

Welcome Scott!
Glad to have you onboard.  You should have no problem catching some fish during your vacation. Be sure to bring your camera along so you can post up some pics. I’m assuming you have the tackle to catch saltwater fish with. If not there is a nice bait and taclke shop called East Coast Sports right before you get on the beach on the right. Just be careful around the inlet. You may want to follow a boat out your first time although it’s marked. If you have a GPS you can follow your route back in once you’ve gone out the inlet.  Anyway I’m sure you’ll have a blast and if your kids catch a trophey (to them) that you would like to have mounted look me up. I’ll be here!
Have fun!

welcome scott, im sure you will find all the info you need here in short order look fowar to some reports from ya

Thanks for the advice from all.  Not worried about the gear cuz now I know where to find it if I need.  Not concearned about   fishing because of this site.  The only thing that I’m a little nervous about is navigating the inlet.  I’ll use the advice to follow another boat out and use the GPS coming back.  But can you tell me how to know what a calm day is?  What’s better high or low tide or does it not matter?  While I’ve been boating since I was a kid, this is my 1st adventure in the salt.  Thanks and tight lines.
Scott

Scott,
You just have to watch the marine reports. The wind direction and wave heights are your key players. Naturally the less wind the better. I like 5 to 10 mph with 2 ft. or less seas when I have guests on board. You want them to enjoy themselves so they want to go back.  There are times when you can have small seas but high wind and a bad chop. Topsail Inlet is marked with buoys but best to follow someone the first time to record route on gps. Good luck with the fish.

You should be fine on 2 foot seas in 10 knot winds or less.  With experience you’ll find you can get out in a little bit rougher conditions than that but that is a good starting point.  Right now New Topsail Inlet is in good shape, just stay in the middle of the buoys and you will have plenty of water on any tide.  Low tide is the easiest to read the shoals but high tide gives you the widest margin of safety.