Column - Sept 18, 2006

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 43^rd festival and is being held September 22 – 24. The festival has moved it’s location a few miles further south this year. It is being held 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.

Catching report

The king bite has been very slow with mostly small kings being reported and very few at that. Bottom fisherman working the ledges and reefs from 10 miles and out have been experiencing good catches of grouper, snapper, black sea bass, grunts and other bottom species. Further out, the wahoo bite has really picked up on days when the seas are calm enough to make it out there.

Inshore the flounder bite remains good on the nearby ledges. Many old red drum are being caught and released in the surf. When you can find clear water, the speckled trout have been biting early in the morning and on a turning tide. Pompano, black drum, croakers, gray trout and of course spots are all being caught as well.

Tight lines to all!