Weekly Column - July 3, 2006

When summer’s sun, light trade winds and warm water combine to make days like this past weekend, you can see smiles on the boat fishermen’s faces from a mile a way. The weather and sea conditions were ideal for those longer boat trips to that favorite fishing spot off the coast.

In fact, the weather is perfect for chasing down the location of the king mackerel schools lurking off our coast this time of year. They are out there, but the kings haven’t moved in closer in any numbers yet. The muddy waters and lower salinity levels from the heavy rains have kept them off shore.

Saturday found me out at the third set of box-cars off of New Topsail Inlet and various ledges in that general vicinity.

I was treated to the spectacular show that big summer time kings can display. We had a four-footer "sky" on our bait -- not once, but twice! What a sight to see a fish that size jump completely out of the water chasing your bait.

Too bad he didn’t swallow it. We did manage to hook-up two smaller fish, but I can’t help thinking -- what if?

Speaking of king mackerels, the Topsail Offshore Fishing Club holds one of the largest annual tournaments in the area. Usually it is in August, but this year they have moved it to the second weekend of October. So be sure to mark the date on your calendars.

Inshore the flounder bite is slow when fishing from land, but it is better just off the beaches and in the marsh creeks. Specs are also biting near the marsh grass just after high tide. The puppy drum bite is strong, but with all the rain a few weeks ago, they have moved out to the marshes. Puppy drum are being caught in the surf, too. There are some reports of croakers, spots and a few pompano being caught in the surf, although it is somewhat slow.

The kings and mahi are biting from 15 miles and out with some nice gaffer-size mahi coming in. The kings are hitting dead and live bait, and the mahi are responding well to ballyhoo. Offshore, grouper and snapper are being caught near the Gulf stream. There have been reports of wahoo being taken as well.

The local ocean piers are reporting a mix of mullet, spots and a few flounder and speckled sea trout being caught. Jolly Roger reports that the trout bite has been best in the mornings on live shrimp. All three piers report the black drum bite has started, but the muddy water has kept the Spanish and kings away from near shore. Seaview Pier reported that large schools of menhaden started showing up in the suds this week -- so the kings should be close behind.

Tight lines to all!