Your Guide to Fall Fishing on Topsail Island

Fall is a beautiful time in North Carolina. The weather is great, the crowds are gone, and of course, the fish are biting. Fall fishing on Topsail Island is a great way to relax and have fun during your vacation! Our blog post has everything you need to kick off your fall fishing vacation on Topsail Island. Who’s ready to reel in the big one?

The North Carolina coast is known for its exceptional fishing opportunities. Close to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and surrounded by cool inshore waters, Topsail Island is an anglers dream come true. Each season brings unique fishing fun, and fall is no exception.

Why Is Fall Fishing on Topsail Island So Great?

Why fall you ask? Without getting too technical, as the weather changes and the colder temperatures enter the area, fish change their migration patterns. Just like birds, fish begin to migrate south from Northern waters looking for warmer winter waters. As they do this, they also come closer to shore making it the perfect time for anglers to enjoy fantastic fishing on Topsail Island.

What Type of Fish Can You Catch During Fall?

Here is a list of some of the fish you can expect to reel in during the fall season: 

• Sheepshead
  
• Red Drum (which can get quite large and be super fun to catch!)
  
• Black Drum
  
• Bluefish
  
• Trout
  
• Striped bass
  
• Sailfish 
  
• and more
  

There are many other types of fish you may end up hooking on your line, so be ready for anything! No matter what type of fish you catch during your fall fishing trip you’re sure to have a wonderful time.

You may be wondering if you should fish from the pier, on the beach, or charter a fishing excursion for the best fishing adventure. Let’s dive a little deeper into each of these excellent fishing options on Topsail Island.

Pier Fishing

A popular choice for locals and tourists alike, pier fishing is always a good time! This is also the easiest, most convenient way for visitors to fish at the beach. Each pier has its own distinct personality, along with family-friendly atmospheres.

Piers are generally divided into five zones: Suds, Slough, Sandbar, The Deep, and The Deeper. Different fish and different rigs are found and used depending on the zone you're fishing. By moving up and down the pier just a few yards you can experience the thrill of catching something entirely new! Depending on where you fish on the pier during the fall you can expect to catch things like albacore, bluefish, crocker, red drum, and sheepshead just to name a few. Below are the three piers that you can find on Topsail Island with links to their websites for all the information you need.

Surf City Ocean Pier, Topsail Beach

This centrally located pier in the heart of Topsail Island's Surf City is the island's oldest pier. The original pier was built on this location in 1948 and stood until it was destroyed by Hurricane Fran. Rebuilt in 1996, the pier has remained in the Lore family since 1973. From mid-March to December 1 of each year the pier is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This allows for exciting night fishing and gives you access to amazing fishing virtually anytime you want. Featuring cleaning stations, lights, and a fully stocked tackle and bait shop, the pier in Surf City is the perfect place to spend a day with the family. They offer offseason hours as well, so be sure to call and check on their offseason hours if vacationing during that time. Visit their website by clicking here.

Seaview Pier, North Topsail

Located on the northern tip of Topsail Island, this is the perfect fishing location for those vacationing in North Topsail. One of the best features of this pier is the Seaview Pier Restaurant. The restaurant has great burgers to keep you fueled up during your trip. During lunch and dinner, take advantage of one of Seaview’s unique features by having them clean and cook your catch to your specifications all at a reasonable price. Seafood doesn't get any fresher than that! Seaview prides tself on its family-friendly atmosphere and features a full-service bait and tackle shop to provide everything you need while on the pier. Of course, there are restrooms and cleaning stations for your convenience as well. Click here to learn more about Seaview Pier.

Jolly Roger Pier, Topsail Beach

Head down to the southern end of Topsail Island to Topsail Beach and get ready to wet a line on this 850-foot-long pier. With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, this is a great place to learn all about pier fishing on Topsail Island. The pier features a snack-bar and a fully stocked tackle and bait shop with rod rentals. This pier is fully lit at night making it a great spot to enjoy some night fishing under a beautiful star-filled Carolina sky. With cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, night fishing is one of those "must do" things while vacationing on Topsail Island! For more information about Jolly Roger Pier, visit their website.

Surf Casting

You have probably seen plenty of people fishing on the beach, or surfcasting. Surfcasting is a fun and easy way to not only enjoy the beach, but also enjoy world class fishing. If you are new to surfcasting, all you need is a rod, a bucket, some bait, and a little bit of patience.

Sure, there is a little more to it than that, but at its core surfcasting requires very little. Many of the local bait shops even rent equipment and offer advice on the best rigs and jigs to use. After a great day of surfcasting on the beach, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner caught and cooked by you at your Topsail Island vacation rental! Need a little advice on the best places to fish on the island? Stop by any of the local bait shops to bend a local’s ear. They’ll be happy to get you going in the right direction and will probably have a fishing tale or two for you!

Fishing Charters

If you’re looking for a little extra fall fishing excitement, there is nothing like the thrill of charter fishing! Topsail Island has a large professional charter fishing fleet. No matter what type of adventure you're looking for, there is a charter for you. Offshore, inshore, half day, or full day trips are all available to enjoy with experienced captains.

Inland charters are a great option for families. These larger boats include a rod rental, bait, and all the other equipment you need to enjoy a day on the water. Inland boats typically have amenities like snack-bars, restrooms, and large covered spaces. Offshore charters are usually an all-day affair and are available for those looking to land the really big one! Take a look at this online resource when searching for the perfect Topsail Island charter.

Fishing License Requirements

All piers have an inclusive license that covers those fishing on the pier, so you're not required to purchase an individual fishing license if you’re planning to fish on the piers. Other than that exclusion, all fisherman in North Carolina need to have a valid license. There are several different types of licenses depending on where and what you are fishing for. Make sure to have the proper license because the fines can be heavy. For more details and current licensing requirements, click here.

Where to Stay During Your Fall Fishing Adventure on Topsail Island

After a long day of fishing fun, you’ll need somewhere to rest and refuel for the next day’s adventure. Our vacation rentals are a great option for groups of all sizes and offer a wide variety of amenities that you won’t find at the local hotel. When you stay at one of our oceanfront vacation homes, you can walk right out onto the sand and cast your line. Click below to view all of our vacation rentals where you can begin a custom search to find the rental of your dreams.