Topsail Fishing Forecast: What’s Biting in Late Spring

If it felt like every serious local angler had a rod in the sand last weekend, there was a reason.

The Topsail area just came through a busy spring fishing weekend, with the Topsail Spring Surf and Pier Fishing Challenge bringing anglers to Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach from May 1-3. East Coast Sports in Surf City served as tournament headquarters, and the event gave the area a good look at what is actually showing up in the surf and from the piers right now.

The short version: late spring fishing around Topsail is moving in the right direction. The water is warming, bait is getting more active, nearshore fishing has picked up, and the surf and ICW are producing. It is not fully summer yet, though. Some bites are hot, some are spotty, and anglers still need to match their plan to the wind, tide, water clarity, and current regulations.

Quick Late Spring Fishing Takeaways

• Nearshore fishing may be the strongest bite right now, especially for Atlantic bonito, bluefish, early Spanish mackerel, and black sea bass farther out.
• Surf and pier fishing are improving, with sea mullet, black drum, bluefish, and scattered Spanish mackerel becoming more realistic targets.
• ICW and inshore fishing are mixed but active. Red drum are around docks, flats, banks, and structure, but the bite is not automatic.
• Black drum and sheepshead are practical structure targets, especially around docks, pilings, bridges, oysters, and hard cover.
• Live fiddler crabs are worth watching for, especially if you are trying to target sheepshead around structure.
• Freshwater fishing is worth a look in local ponds, creeks, and slower water, especially for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.

A Local Tournament Showed What Was Actually Biting

The recent Topsail Spring Surf and Pier Fishing Challenge was a useful snapshot of the spring bite. The tournament focused on classic spring surf and pier species, including bluefish, black drum, and sea mullet, with additional optional categories tied to red drum and Spanish mackerel.

That mix says a lot about where the season stands. We are past the slowest part of the year, but not fully into a predictable summer pattern. Late spring is a transition window, and that can make fishing both exciting and inconsistent.

One day may bring steady bluefish, sea mullet, or black drum action from the sand. Another may be slower if the wind shifts, the surf dirties up, or bait moves. For anglers willing to adjust, there are enough signs that the bite is waking up.

For current tournament details and local saltwater coverage, Fisherman’s Post maintains information on the Topsail Spring Surf and Pier Fishing Challenge, along with regular Topsail and Sneads Ferry fishing reports.

What’s Working in the Surf and From the Piers

For surf and pier anglers, the most realistic late spring targets around Topsail right now are sea mullet, black drum, bluefish, and early Spanish mackerel.

Sea mullet, also commonly called whiting, are one of the better beach targets. Fresh shrimp, Fishbites, sand fleas, and small pieces of cut bait can all work well on bottom rigs. These fish are popular because they are accessible, good to eat, and do not require complicated gear.

Black drum are another practical spring target, especially around deeper holes, pilings, docks, oysters, and bottom structure. Fresh shrimp remains one of the most dependable baits.

Bluefish have also been showing up around piers, inlets, and moving water. Small casting lures, cut bait, and Got-Cha style plugs can all produce when bluefish are feeding.

Spanish mackerel are beginning to enter the conversation, but the bite is still developing. As water temperatures continue to rise, pier anglers and nearshore boats should start seeing better Spanish action, especially on cleaner-water days with bait nearby.

ICW and Inshore Fishing: Active, But Not Automatic

The inshore and ICW bite is probably best described as promising but not automatic.

Red drum are being found around docks, grass banks, flats, oyster edges, creek mouths, and ICW structure. The challenge is that they are not always stacked up in obvious places. Anglers may need to move, watch the tide, and try different presentations.

Early morning topwater can be a good option when conditions are calm. Soft plastics, gold spoons, spinnerbaits, cut mullet, and shrimp are all worth considering depending on water clarity and where the fish are holding.

For casual anglers or visitors fishing from a dock, bulkhead, kayak, or public access point, black drum may be the more dependable inshore target. Shrimp on a Carolina rig or simple bottom rig around structure can be a practical way to fish without overthinking it.

Sheepshead are another fish to keep in mind around hard structure. They are not always easy to hook, but they are a favorite local target around pilings, bridge structure, docks, and barnacle-covered areas. Fiddler crabs are one of the classic bait choices for them, and East Coast Sports has recently been noting Friday availability of live fiddler crabs while supplies last.

Nearshore Fishing May Be the Best Bet Right Now

If there is one part of the local fishery that seems to be producing the strongest late spring action, it is the nearshore bite.

Atlantic bonito have been one of the headline catches along the local nearshore grounds. These fish are fast, hard-fighting, seasonal, and a favorite spring target for many anglers. Trolling small spoons behind planers or casting and jigging when fish are visible can both work when bonito are feeding.

Bluefish and early Spanish mackerel are also part of the nearshore mix. As Spanish mackerel become more common, that often signals the local transition from spring bonito fishing toward the warmer-water summer pattern.

For boats running farther out, black sea bass remain a strong bottom-fishing option. Juvenile black sea bass can also show up closer inside, including in the ICW and around structure, but anglers need to know the size and bag limits before keeping any fish.

Where to Get Bait Around Topsail

For a lot of locals, the fishing trip starts before the first cast. Around here, the bait stop matters.

Thomas Tackle & Seafood in Surf City deserves a big local shoutout. Located on the mainland side of Surf City, just before you cross the bridge onto the island, it is a favorite stop for bait, tackle, seafood, produce, and quick local fishing chatter. The shop has been serving the Topsail Island community since 1955, and for many anglers, a stop there is part of the routine: grab bait, ask what is biting, and, if they have them, pick up a bag of homemade boiled peanuts before heading to the water.

East Coast Sports in Surf City is another key stop, especially for anglers fishing the island side of the bridge, the surf, local piers, or nearshore trips. They are a long-running Surf City tackle and coastal gear shop, and they are also a helpful source for current tackle, surf gear, bait availability, and local fishing chatter.

Depending on where you are staying or launching, it is also worth checking with nearby piers, marinas, and local tackle counters before you go. Bait availability can change quickly in late spring, especially around busy weekends and when a particular bite gets hot.

Freshwater Fishing: Bass, Bluegill, and Pond Fishing Are Worth a Look

Saltwater gets most of the attention around Topsail, but late spring is also a good time to keep freshwater fishing in mind.

For local ponds, creeks, drainage areas, and slower-moving water, largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish are the practical targets. These options are especially useful for families, kids, and residents who want to fish without hauling gear to the beach or fighting island traffic.

Largemouth bass should be targeted around structure: grass, shade lines, docks, stumps, downed trees, culverts, and deeper edges. Soft plastics, small spinnerbaits, shallow crankbaits, and topwater lures can all work depending on the time of day.

Bluegill and other panfish are a good option when you just want steady action. Worms, crickets, small jigs, and tiny spinners can work well, especially around shaded banks and shallow structure.

Catfish become more active as water warms, especially in ponds and slower water. They are not always glamorous, but they can save a slow fishing day.

What’s Not Quite There Yet

The late spring bite is improving, but expectations still matter.

• Flounder should not be treated as a current harvest target. Recreational flounder rules remain restrictive, and anglers should confirm current North Carolina regulations before keeping any flounder.
• Speckled trout require extra caution. Trout may be caught, but harvest rules have been changing and closures may apply depending on location and water classification.
• Red drum are present, but not guaranteed. The bite can be tide-dependent and may require moving until fish are found.
• Bonito will not last forever. The Atlantic bonito bite is one of the better spring stories, but it is seasonal and can fade as water warms and Spanish mackerel become more dominant.

Where to Check Current Topsail Fishing Reports

Fishing changes fast in late spring, so it helps to pair any forecast with fresh local reports before heading out.

A few useful places to check include Fisherman’s Post’s Topsail and Sneads Ferry fishing reports, which regularly include updates from local shops and captains, and Topsail.Fish’s local fishing reports, which highlight recent inshore and guide-reported catches around the area.

For pier-specific updates, check directly with local piers when possible, including Surf City Ocean Pier, Jolly Roger Pier, and Seaview Fishing Pier.

Local tackle shops are still one of the best real-time sources. Before driving onto the island or setting up on the beach, it is worth checking recent posts from East Coast Sports, Thomas Tackle & Seafood, local piers, and area guides to see what bait is available and what has been working that week.

Late Spring Fishing Tips for the Topsail Area

For anglers trying to make the most of the next few weeks, the biggest key is flexibility. Late spring can reward quick adjustments more than stubbornness.

• Fish early or late when possible. Calm mornings and lower-light windows are often more productive.
• Pay attention to moving water. Tide changes, current seams, inlet flow, and creek mouths can all concentrate fish.
• Bring more than one bait option. Shrimp, cut bait, Fishbites, soft plastics, fiddler crabs, and small casting lures all have a place right now.
• Watch the wind. Wind direction can affect surf clarity, casting distance, boat comfort, and whether nearshore fishing is realistic.
• Ask before you buy. A quick question at the bait counter can save a slow trip, especially when bait availability or water conditions have changed.
• Measure before keeping fish. Size and bag limits matter, especially during seasonal transitions when juvenile fish are common.

Current Late Spring Fishing Snapshot

Area	Best Current Targets	What’s Working	Notes
Surf	Sea mullet, black drum, bluefish	Shrimp, Fishbites, cut bait, bottom rigs	Best around cleaner water, troughs, and moving tide
Piers	Bluefish, black drum, sea mullet, early Spanish, sheepshead	Shrimp, Got-Cha plugs, cut bait, fiddler crabs, small casting lures	Pilings and moving water are worth attention
ICW / Inshore	Red drum, black drum, scattered trout, sheepshead	Cut mullet, shrimp, soft plastics, topwater, spoons, fiddler crabs	Productive, but tide and location matter
Nearshore	Atlantic bonito, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, black sea bass	Spoons, planers, jigs, squid, cut bait	Probably the strongest bite right now
Freshwater	Largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish	Soft plastics, small spinners, worms, live bait	Good option for ponds, kids, and quick local trips

Before You Keep Fish, Check the Rules

Late spring is a great time to fish around Topsail, but it is also a time when regulations can trip people up. Flounder, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, black sea bass, red drum, and other species may have specific size limits, bag limits, seasons, or closures.

Before keeping fish, check the latest North Carolina recreational coastal fishing size and bag limits. For freshwater rules and inland waters, check the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission fishing resources.

Bottom Line

Late spring is giving Topsail anglers a little bit of everything. Surf anglers have a realistic shot at sea mullet, black drum, and bluefish. Pier anglers are starting to see more variety. Inshore anglers can find red drum, black drum, and sheepshead if they work the right water. Nearshore boats may have the best overall action with bonito, bluefish, early Spanish mackerel, and black sea bass.

It is not summer yet, and that matters. Some bites are still inconsistent. Some species are restricted. Weather and wind can change plans quickly. But for locals and visitors looking to get outside, late spring is giving anglers plenty of reasons to keep a rod ready.