Sometimes a fishing trip isn’t about the number of fish you catch, but the quality of the memories you make. That was exactly the case on a recent trip with Captain Lee Parsons, who hosted two long-time clients for a day of Topsail trophy fishing. Under calm, overcast skies, the conditions were perfect for targeting big fish in the inshore waters of North Topsail Beach.

While the bite wasn’t fast and furious, the fish that did come over the rail were exceptional. Using bottom-fishing techniques in the brackish water, the group landed a few red drum and a couple of flounder. The highlights of the day were two true trophy fish: a massive 9-pound flounder and a powerful, 32-inch bull red drum. It’s trips like these that remind us why we fish—for the thrill of the fight and the chance at a fish of a lifetime. This is a fantastic example of the Topsail trophy fishing opportunities available right now.