Capt David holding 30 inch Redfish caught by Casey Shaw

Topsail Island, NC and Surrounding areas. 

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report.

The fish are biting folks. Now some of you might be thinking, Capt. David you are nuts! I went surf fishing the other day and didn't catch anything. Here's a simple explanation folks, how many people are in the water and the surf temps are in the mid 80's! The best thing I can suggest is to fish at night. No crowds and the beach is quiet.

Well the sound is hopping with the Reds now and they are hitting everything! Topwater baits, live bait, jigs, all you have to do is find a school of fish and that ain't hard folks! Look around creek mouths and along points. That's also a good place to find a nice Flounder as well. Up in the river the Speckled Trout are still biting and Reds are everywhere.

Offshore it's happening folks, from the beach on out anything is possible right now. Sails, Kings, Mahi, Tarpon and cobia are on the reefs and ledges. Bottom fishing is good with lots of Black sea bass and Snappers. Grouper are biting as well. Folks, you need to go fishing! I can't tell you how much good it will do your spirit! Get the wife and kids and go fishing while you can.

Now on to a little bit of instruction on rigs and baits. Now I ain't going to pretend that I know everything but I will share what works for me. Two basic rigs will catch just about everything that swims in the surf or sound. Number 1 is the 2 hook bottom rig. With a 2-3 ounce sinker and 2 hooks above it at diffent depths is a great rig for the surf or sound. According to what you are after, you can bait up with cut bait or live bait. Cut bait works best for Pompano, Spots, Grunts and Mullet. Live minnows will tempt Red drum, Flounder, Trout and Blues. All the bait and tackle shops around can help you get what you need.

Gig number 2 is my favorite. The good old Carolina rig. This rig consists of a weight sliding on the main line above a swivel,then about an 18-24 inch leader of 30 lb test mono, with a circle hook on the end. Put a fat Finger mullet or pogey on it and throw it next to the bank or dock and hang on! Fish it in a foot or two of water because thats where the fish are folks. I'm catching 30 inch Redfish in 12 inches of water, No bull! Right now the bait is on the bank and thats where the big fish are too. Well thats it for this week so be safe and take a kid fishing!

Capt. David

About the author: Capt. David Baxley  Lifetime sportsman and fisherman. Fishing Topsail area for 13 years. Full time charter fishing guide specializing in Red drum and Flounder. Light tackle,shallow water,live bait fishing. Owner of Headhunter Outdoors Fishing Charters at Topsail Phone 910-329-0818.  Visit Davids web site at http://www.headhunteroutdoors.com/.