Posts Tagged ‘Topsail Reds’
Hot weather fishing calls for change of tactics
July 20, 2011 | 
Author 
If you have followed my reports at all, you know that I am a hard core artificial bait fisherman. However, part of being a successful angler is being able to adapt different techniques and recognizing the time to take advantage of those tactics. In the heat of the summer, this may very well mean putting up the “fake” baits, and breaking out the cast net and loading the well with some good ole live bait. Now, I will admit that when I am off fishing by myself, I may not always follow my own advice as I am addicted to trying to trick a fish into eating a non-natural bait, but when it comes to keeping customers happy, you have to adapt to put fish in the boat.
The past few weeks, we have had some extremely hot temperatures here in southeastern North Carolina and in turn the water temps in our area have skyrocketed to the mid and uppers 80′s with near triple digit air temps. When weather conditions reach these extremes, the fish still eat, but to get them to bite, you have to change your approach.
Some of the more obvious changes to make are to go fishing early or late. Fish are more likely to bite while the sun is low in the sky and the ambient temperature is still relatively cool. If you have to fish during the middle of the day, find some deeper holes to fish as the water temps will be cooler in the deeper water. Also, warm water will not contain as much dissolved oxygen as cooler water and in turn, the fish don’t want to spend much energy to chase a lure. This is, in my opinion, one of the main reasons live bait gets more bites during the heat of summer than do artificial bait. A live mullet minnow or small Menhaden fished on a Carolina rig or suspended from a popping cork is a pretty easy meal for a predator fish to catch.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can offer to the aspiring angler is to have patience. Give the fish time to bite and don’t get frustated if they don’t. Fish areas that are known to hold fish and give them a chance. If you do, it will pay off for you. On one of my most recent charters, we tried one spot for 30-45 minutes with only a couple of stingray bites, but then moved to another location and hooked up with a Redfish on the first cast. After spending 30-45 minutes in this location and catching two fish, we moved down the bank only 200 to 300 yards and caught five more fish that were of much better quality. Not to mention the few fish that we lost.
So when the weather gets hot and the fishing gets tough, remember to get creative. Try something new. Be patient and have faith. The fish still have to eat, they just don’t want to work for it. Try to put some of these tips to use and see if you don’t put more fish in the boat!!
Till next time
Tight lines!!
Capt. Brent
Topsail Fishing Report
Hi Folks,
Quick report for you. The water is really warming up with the nice weather we have been having. The Redfish have moved out of the ocean and back into the internal waters. My wife and I hit a mud flat in the N. Topsail area recently and found a nice school of fish. Unfortunately, with the sun low in the sky, I poled on top of them before I saw them and spooked them. After that, it was hard to get them to bite.
I have also heard of a Speckled Trout bite picking up in the rivers, though I have not been down to verify as of yet. Viginia mullet (a.k.a. whiting) have been biting on the piers with good reports coming out of the Surf City area. The Bluefish should make a showing any day now on the beaches it they haven’t already. Water temps on the beach are in the upper 50′s to low 60′s and mid 60′s in the ICWW and flats and bays. Spanish and King Mackerel are still are few weeks away, but typically we will start to see these in the nearshore waters by early May.
We have weather moving into the area Thursday evening expected to be out of here early Friday. If you are coming to Wilmington for the Azalea Festival and want to sneak in a fishing trip, Saturday and Sunday both look great for some Redfish fishing on the flats. I have openings for both days as of now, so give me a call and book a trip.
Tight lines and good fishing!!
Capt. Brent
River Reds
The Redfish fishing near area rivers has been very good this week. Friday I fished the New River area of N. Topsail Beach with good friends Boyd and Will. These two have been trying to catch a Redfish on the fly for a couple of years now, but it seems that every time they come, the wind blows. Well, this trip was no exception, but it was not howling as it usually is and we had plenty of chances. I poled the new Vantage into the skinny water and worked three different schools of Redfish for a couple of hours, but Boyd and Will just couldn’t seem to get the fly in front of the fish. After watching reds push, role and tail all around us, they couldn’t stand it any more and picked up the spin tackle and immediately hooked up.
We worked the fish for a little longer then called it a day and headed home. Baits for the day were grubs fished on weighted hooks.
Sunday, I had Tanner from East Cape Canoes and Skiffs join me on the Cape Fear River looking for the Reds. Tanner, who has family in Holden Beach, worked on building my new Vantage and it was a pleasure to have him aboard. We fished for several hours poling the flats and working some areas that I hadn’t fished in awhile. We ended up with six Redfish for the morning and missed a few others.
Gulp shrimp fished on weighted hooks and bucktail jigs were the baits of choice today.
The Redfish fishing is hot so call and book your trip today!!
Rainy Day Reds!!!!
Today I had Russell and Doug join me for a day of fishing in the rain at Topsail Beach. Knowing that the weather was going to be nasty, I call Russell and ask if they wanted to fish in the rain. They said that they came to fish, so fish is what we did.
The bite wasn’t exactly on “fire”, but both Russell and Doug managed to catch Redfish in the 5-6lb class. Russell also landed a flounder that was slightly under the size limit. Though the weather was less than perfect, we had a good time and Russell and Doug have two nice fish for their cookout!!! Good job guys!! You deserve those fish for battling the conditions!!1
Tight lines and good fishing!!
Capt. Brent
