Topsail Angler

The Spanish have arrived, Spanish mackerel that is. Many anglers including myself have been enjoying the early spring mix of Atlantic Bonito and bluefish and now Spanish mackerel. Of course the drum and trout continue to be favorite targets in the sounds and creeks with larger flounder starting to show up too. 

Often just called "Spanish" this fish is the smaller cousin to the king mackerel with a strong family resemblance. In fact Spanish mackerel look very much like a juvenile king mackerel. The easiest way to tell them apart is by the front portion of the first dorsal fin; the Spanish is black and looks like a flag. You can also tell by the lateral line on either side of the fish. On a King it drops down about halfway back on either side where as on Spanish it remains fairly level all the way to the tail.

It is very important to distinguish the difference as the creel and size limits are different for the two species. The current regulations for NC coastal waters require a minimum length of 12 inches for Spanish with a daily limit of 15 fish. For a king mackerel, the minimum size is 24 inches with a three fish limit. A few king mackerel have been caught this past week near shore with one reported from Sea View pier, so make sure you check that fish before keeping it.

Spanish Mackerel are migratory and return to our coastal water about this time of year the water temperatures reach into the high 60s and above. They usually stay until early fall. They travel in schools and sometimes can be picky about their meals. Other times they are less discerning and upon occasion will even hit bare gold hooks in the late afternoon sun.   

While they can be caught anytime of the day, early morning and late afternoons are often the most productive. Boaters look head of the inlets staying within a mile or so of the beach while looking for birds circling and diving. This type bird activity usually is a telltale sign that either a school of mackerel or blues are "working" a school of baitfish.  The circle and drive them to the top and then begin to cut through the school to feed.    Birds swoop down to take advantage of this bonanza that helps anglers find the action.

These tasty fish are often caught off our piers as well as in small boats trolling close to the beaches and inlets. One of the favorite lures used by many boat anglers is the Clark Spoon. It's a metal spoon and comes in several colors including gold and silver. In addition to trolling it across the top of the water, anglers often pull them on a trolling weight or behind a Booney bird for that extra edge.   

From the pier one of the most popular lures for catching Spanish and blues is the Gotcha plug from Sea Striker or similar type plugs. They come in many different color combinations but the old stand-by for many anglers is the one with a redhead and silver body.  

Spring fishing is in full swing now for sure!

Catching report for this week: 

Plenty of blues are being caught near shore and from the piers with some very nice fish in the 10 to 13 pound range being caught.  A few Spanish mackerel have been caught from the piers and boats near shore and the bite should continue to get stronger as the water warms up this week. Some nice catches of Bonito are still being reported with the Diver's Rock areas still being one of the top spots. Some are being caught around AR360 and nearby ledges.

Inshore the speckled trout fishing has been exceptional in the New River and the creek mouths joining the river. The red drum have moved onto the flats and the marshy areas near oyster beds.  There also have been some nice catches of flounder with one friend of mine catching four fish over four pounds one day with the largest at over seven pounds. The bite is still thin but should be improving as the bait schools increase inshore.

Offshore the Dolphin fish and Wahoo bite has been spectacular this last week with some 60 plus pound fish being landed. The big fish are still out near the Gulf Stream waters but some nice gaffer and schoolie size dolphin are showing up along weed lines in the 20 to 30 mile range. The tuna bite had been erratic but a few nice fish have been caught.  Bottom fishing in 150 to 300 foot range continues to be strong with nice catches of grouper and a silver snapper being landed.

Tight lines to all!

Mike Becker is an area angler who publishes a fishing blog on-line at topsailangler.com