A view looking north up the beach at Topsail Island from the water's edge, highlighting the year-round fishing destination.

Topsail Island Fishing Calendar: Your Year-Round Guide

Whether you are a local angler or visiting Surf City for the first time, knowing what’s biting—and when—is the key to a successful day on the water. Topsail Island offers a diverse fishery, from the quiet marsh creeks of the sound to the high-energy “explosions” of the offshore Gulf Stream. Use our month-by-month calendar below to plan your next adventure.

Choose a Month to Explore

Each guide contains specific tactics, rig recommendations, local hotspots, and professional tips for that season.What Makes Topsail Fishing Unique?

Looking for a quick overview of every species? View our Seasonal Guide Snapshot for a fast look at what’s biting throughout the year.

Angler casting a slow-sinking lure near deep bridge pilings for Topsail Island Winter Speckled Trout Fishing in January

JANUARY
Speckled Trout

Targeting schooling trout in deep bridge holes and mud flats using ultralight tackle and slow-retrieve lures. Patience is the key to finding the clear water bite.

Angler free-lining a live shrimp near deep bridge pilings during Topsail Island February Red Drum Fishing

FEBRUARY
Red Drum

Focusing on schooling “Reds” in the backwater creeks. Success requires “dead-sticking” soft plastics and finding sun-warmed mud flats on high tide.

Angler fishing a shallow mud flat on a sunny day during Topsail Island March Fishing

MARCH
Spring Transition

As water temperatures hit the mid-50s, the inshore bite wakes up. Use suspension lures near dock lines and shallow bays to catch fish on the move.

Angler fighting a large Speckled Trout during topwater 'walk-the-dog' action at New River Inlet during Topsail Island April Fishing

APRIL
Spring Explosions

The arrival of the first topwater bite! Target aggressive Speckled Trout inshore and the first run of Spanish Mackerel at the nearshore reefs.

Angler catching a striped sheepshead fish from a skiff near a concrete bridge piling

MAY
SheepsHead

Prime time for the “Convict Fish.” Target heavy structure and bridge pilings using fiddler crabs or sand fleas on a vertical Carolina rig.

Mahi-Mahi chasing a trolling lure near a weed line offshore Topsail Island

JUNE
Mahi-Mahi

Offshore action heats up as Mahi-Mahi follow the Gulf Stream. Look for Sargassum weed lines and floating debris for high-speed trolling success.

Angler casting into a green dock light for Speckled Trout at night in Topsail Island

JULY
Night Fishing

Beat the summer heat by targeting dock lights and shadow lines. Night fishing offers a unique chance at trophy Speckled Trout and Red Drum.

Large flounder being landed with a net in the shallow marsh waters of Topsail Island

AUGUST
Flounder

Hunting for “Doormats” in the marsh creeks and inlets. Use live finger mullet or Gulp! baits on the bottom to land these masters of camouflage.

Angler holding a giant 'bull' Red Drum caught from the surf on Topsail Island in September

SEPTEMBER
Bull Red Drum

The legendary fall run begins. Target massive “Bull” Red Drum in the surf and inlet channels using heavy tackle and fresh cut bait.

Angler holding a large Speckled Trout caught during the fall run on Topsail Island in October

OCTOBER
Gator Trout

Cooler waters trigger a feeding frenzy. Use topwater plugs and paddle tails to target large “Gator” Trout as they school up before winter.

Angler casting a slow-sinking lure near deep bridge pilings for late fall Speckled Trout in Topsail Island

NOVEMBER
Late Fall Tactics

Transitioning to deep-water bridge tactics. Slow down your presentation with slow-sinking twitchbaits as the trout move toward winter refuge.

Angler casting an artificial lure near a deep marsh creek hole during a cold winter day in Topsail Island

DECEMBER
Winter Inshore

Quiet waters and clear conditions. Target Speckled Trout and Red Drum in deep creek holes using surgical, slow-motion retrieval methods.

From the deep waters of the New River Inlet to the legendary Surf City High Rise Bridge, Topsail Island is a magnet for coastal species. Our waters are influenced by the shifting tides of the Intracoastal Waterway and the nearby Gulf Stream, creating a year-round destination for anglers of all skill levels.

Book a Local Expert

Ready to get on the fish? Don’t leave it to chance. Our local captains have spent decades learning the tides and secret holes of Topsail Island.

Browse the Topsail Fishing Captains Directory