Topsail Surf, 6/14-21

[fisherjon]

Just back from a week of surf fishing at Topsail Island (Surf City). Blues and whiting were the catch of the week, plus one keeper flounder and several babies. Blues were taking cutbait, whiting preferred fresh shrimp. Also caught the obligatory “sandsharks” and stingrays. Best bite was crack of dawn at near high tide, and early evening, also on high tide (though admittedly, I fished little during mid-day to keep out of the sun). Fished the same spot all week, close to the cottage. Too lazy to drag my gear around! Ended the week with about 20 each of whiting and bluefish. Fished hard, probably 4 hours a day (more if you ask my wife!). Best blue was probably 2 pounds, best whiting a little over a pound. Had three “big” bites, lost all three. One was almost certainly a ray. The other two, who knows? Drum? Blue? Shark? Next time I will have stronger lines or looser drags. Lesson learned the hard way! Best “catch” came this morning, see last photo, the tooth of a lifetime. Rolled up at my feet as I was fishing. Now, if I could just catch the fish it came out of!

Normally see a lot of locals fishing on the beach, didn't see the first one this time. Cost of gas? Cost of CRFL? Or maybe they knew of a better spot!