Captain Mike Hoffman | Fishing Report for: 2026-03-16

Region
Inshore
Location(s)
North Topsail Beach, Sneads Ferry, Surf City
Target Species
Red Drum
Technique(s)
Sight-Casting
Water Conditions
Clear Water, Incoming Tide
Weather Conditions
Sunny
Massive Schools Arrive: Captain Mike Hoffman March 16 2026 Fishing Report
Spring fishing is reaching a fever pitch as massive numbers of fish flood into the local waters. According to the Captain Mike Hoffman March 16 2026 fishing report, the past few days of scouting have revealed an incredible influx of life around North Topsail Beach and Sneads Ferry. With sunny skies and clear water, the visibility is at an all-time high, making this an elite window for anglers who love to hunt their prey visually.
Schools of 300 Plus: The March Madness
The headline of the update is the sheer volume of fish currently holding in the area. “I found schools of 300 plus fish scouting on Sunday,” Mike reports. These massive pods of Red Drum are moving throughout the Topsail Island and Surf City systems. While finding the fish is one thing, reaching them is another. Many of these schools are tucked “way back in the flats,” making them inaccessible during very low tides. Navigating these shallow zones requires the expertise of a seasoned guide and a shallow-draft boat.
Oyster Bars and Incoming Tides | Captain Mike Hoffman March 16 2026 Fishing Report
While the deep flats hold the largest schools, the report highlights that traditional structures are still producing well. The local oyster bars remain full of both Red Drum and Black Drum. For the best results this week, focus on the incoming tide. As the water pushes into the marsh, it grants the fish access to new feeding grounds and gives anglers enough depth to reach the schools that were previously protected by the low-tide mud.

Sight-Casting Perfection
Because the water is so clear right now, sight-casting is the primary technique for success. There is nothing quite like seeing a school of 300 Redfish pushing a wake across a shallow flat before you make your cast. Captain Mike emphasizes that this is the perfect time to “Take your kids fishing!” The visual nature of the bite and the high frequency of sightings keep young anglers engaged and excited throughout the trip.
The Captain Mike Hoffman March 16 2026 fishing report confirms that the spring run is in full effect. Whether you are navigating the backwaters of Sneads Ferry or the flats of Surf City, the opportunities for a trophy day are abundant.
Book Your Adventure: Ready to target these massive schools? Call Captain Mike Hoffman at (910) 619-8509 to book your all-inclusive private charter. Visit Topsail Island Fishing Guides for more info. Stay tuned to topsail.fish for the next Captain Mike Hoffman update!
Original Submission
http://Topsailislandfishingguides.com
This week more fish have moved into the Topsail island and Surf city area . I found schools of 300 plus fish scouting on Sunday. A lot of the fish are way back in the flats and hard to get to in a very low tide. The oyster bars are still full of reds and black drum as well . Take your kids fishing !
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(910) 619-8509
https://topsailislandfishingguides.com
Topsail Island Fishing Guides | Captain Mike Hoffman | Topsail.Fish | Topsail Island Fishing Captains | Topsail Island Fishing Charters



