Storm Watch & Safety: Tropical Storm Erin is expected to graze north — not make landfall — but still generate strong southeasterly swells, rough surf, and dangerous rip currents into next week. Always check the National Hurricane Center, NWS Marine Forecast, and local advisories before heading out. Conditions can change fast; wear a life jacket, have a float plan, and treat inlets and surf zones with extra caution.
If Hurricane Erin’s swells keep you in the sound or creeks this week, a pack of Berkley Gulp! Shrimp on a light jighead will still put trout and reds in the cooler. The scent trail helps in murkier water, and they’re deadly under a popping cork around marsh points.
Quick Take
- Weather and surf conditions are the biggest wildcard — bite windows are tightening, especially offshore.
- Inshore/ICW: Early trout & red drum still strong; structure bite (sheepshead) holding — but watch currents.
- Surf & Beaches: Dawn Spanish & blues, though murky water from swells may push fish (and anglers) away from the wash.
- Piers: Evening settles allow spots, croaker, trout; some live-bait kings & cudas — winds may limit visibility.
- Offshore: Bottom species good; mahi, kings, and AJs still showing — just plan for quick runs before seas build.
- Local Access Points: See below for public access and launch spots for surf and inshore anglers.
Intracoastal / Inshore
Cut menhaden continues to work for red drum along marsh edges and docks; speckled trout are still hitting topwater early — even with a little chop — then soft plastics once the surface bite fades. Sheepshead bite remains solid near pilings and bridges at slack tide. Be mindful that increasing swells and tide surges could make some soundside points choppy for shoreline anglers.
Beaches & Surf
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still biting the early dawn wash — small spoons and metals worked tight to the breakers produce. Southerly swells from Erin may reduce water clarity, so plan sessions around the cleanest tides. Check the Surf City Pier cam, Seaview Pier cam, and Topsail Beach cam before you head out.
Local Beach Access Highlights
- Surf City Public Accesses (North & South Shore Drives) — multiple numbered points with day-parking, showers, and porta-johns; great for mobile surf sessions.
- North Topsail Beach Access #3 — 4×4 drive-on inlet access. Popular with surf anglers but currents near the inlet are extreme — especially with storm surge potential.
- Onslow County Soundside Accesses — ramps and piers for quieter fishing when the oceanfront is too rough.
Piers
Surf City Pier, Jolly Roger Pier, and Seaview Pier continue to produce spots, blues, croaker, and evening trout. Live-bait anglers have reported kings (~16 lb) and barracuda (20+ lb). Wind chop may affect visibility and comfort, so check live cams before heading down the boards.
Pier Info
- Surf City Pier: 937 ft long, lit for night fishing, bait & tackle on-site, cleaning stations, $10/day rod fee. Website
- Seaview Fishing Pier: 1000+ ft, full facilities, known for king mackerel runs. Website
Nearshore & Offshore
Nearshore: Amberjack, barracuda, and scattered kings around artificial reefs. Spanish remain on spoons behind planers; blues steady on bait balls. Seas may limit run times, so plan short, targeted trips.
Offshore: Bottom fishing is strong for vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and grouper in 100–120+ ft. Mahi and the occasional wahoo are still possible, but watch for squalls — several charter trips this week cut short to beat fast-moving cells.
Charter Buzz
- Badfish Fishing Charters — reports steady nearshore catches, but adjusted trip times to avoid building afternoon seas.
- FishingBooker Topsail Reports — anglers found mahi and AJs offshore, plus trout and reds inshore, though weather cut some days short.
- Fisherman’s Post – Topsail/Sneads Ferry (Aug) — pier and inshore updates with bait recommendations and pier manager notes.
Live Looks & Tide Planning
- Surf Cams: Surf City, Seaview, Topsail Beach
- Tides: NOAA – Ocean City Pier, NOAA – New River Inlet
- Marine Forecast: NWS Wilmington Coastal Waters
Regs & Safety
- Flounder: Closed until Sept 1–14, 1/day, 15″ min.
- Speckled Trout: 14–20″ slot, one over 26″, 3/day.
- Rip Currents: Elevated risk through next week. If signs are posted or surf looks messy, fish from piers or soundside instead.
One-Morning Master Plan
- Pre-dawn: check cams & forecast; if surf is fishable, hit a numbered Surf City access for Spanish/blues at first light.
- Mid-morning: move to the ICW or docks for red drum on cut bait.
- Late morning: target sheepshead at bridge pilings on fiddler crabs.
- Afternoon: if seas permit, a quick bottom drift nearshore for snapper or BSB — head in early if swell builds.
Stay safe, watch the weather, and send us your catch photos for a chance to be featured in the next report.