Captain Mike Hoffman | Fishing Report for: 2025-07-25

The inshore flats around Topsail Beach and Surf City are alive with action , and this week’s conditions have been perfect for some prime Topsail flats fishing. Captain Mike Hoffman reports that the combination of clear, calm water and an incoming tide has pushed redfish , speckled trout, and flounder up into the shallows to feed aggressively on shrimp and finger mullet. The bite has been strongest during the early morning hours, before the sun gets high and the summer heat intensifies.

What makes the current fishing so special is the visual spectacle. According to Captain Mike, there’s nothing quite like seeing redfish “tailing” in just 4 to 6 inches of water as they forage for food. This creates the ultimate sight-casting opportunity, providing a thrilling experience for anglers of all skill levels. The ability to see the fish before you even make a cast adds a level of excitement that is hard to beat. Whether you’re an experienced angler looking to hone your skills or a first-timer, the thrill of stalking, casting to, and hooking a fish you can see is an unforgettable part of Topsail flats fishing. Techniques have varied from topwater plugs at dawn to float fishing with live shrimp under a popping cork as the sun gets higher.