Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Topsail Island Fishing Report
Spots, Spots. I’m seeing spots.
‘Bout now you can hear those words from folks up and down Topsail Island. They are of course referring to the fish by that name. This tasty pan sized fish is a favorite with locals and visitors alike, many claiming they would just as soon eat a spot as a steak.
A friend of mine that works at Surf City pier says this time of year, 9 out of 10 phone calls are folks wanting to know if the spots are biting.
The fish get their name from the distinctive black spot just behind their gill. The fish looks similar to a croaker but have little barbell-like bumps under their chins, are smoother and wider, and have forked tails. Like a croaker, when caught the spot will make a croaking sound but usually softer and less frequently.
An occasional spot will be caught about anytime in the summer and fall. However this month is prime time for the little fish. They are caught from ocean piers, the surf and on the sound side from boats and the shore.
They often travel in large schools. At times you can fill a cooler full of the tasty fish in a short period. Other times, the bite can be, well, spotty.
Blood worms and shrimp pieces are two of the best natural baits. “Fish Bites” is a favorite artificial used to catch this fish. In either case, use a two hook bottom rig with a pyramid sinker is most often used. When the bite is hot, anglers will pull the fish up two at a time!
Hampstead holds the annual “North Carolina Spot Festival” each September. This year is the 45th festival and is being held September 27th & 28th. The festival is held in Hampstead off of Hwy 17 on the southbound side about a quarter mile south of the intersection with 210 west.
In addition to plenty of spot dinners – spot, French fries, slaw and hush puppies – there is plenty to do at the festival. Featured are musical performances, arts and crafts, static displays, and many vendors that are out supporting our community. All proceeds go to benefit local schools and volunteer fire departments. For more info visit their website, http://www.ncspotfestival.com/
Catching report
Fall fishing is really starting to kick in! Vinita Gass, manager of the Surf City Pier, often is heard in the summer saying, “we are catching lots of different fish, just not a lot of any one kind.” This week her report was a harbinger that fall fishing has arrived, “we are catching lots of EVERYTHING” she said.
All three piers are reporting that Spanish, blues, pompano, sheepshead, flounder and others are coming onto the planks in good numbers. The spot bite is starting to pick-up and should be in full force soon. There have been plenty of kings caught in the past week or so with a number of them in the 30 pound class.
Inshore the drum bite has been good with mullet and small menhaden doing the trick for live bait anglers. The top water action has been very good as well especially around the marsh grass on either side of high tide. The Speck bite at the north-end of the island and in the New River has been good with live shrimp being the bait of choice for many but soft plastics and scented baits are working well too.
I don’t anything to report offshore this week as the wind has been howling and not many boats made it out.
Tight lines to all!
