[H2OKS]

Hey Guys can anyone give me an update on the sand flea situation down at Topsail? Last year the beach nourishment program seem to kill all the fleas in the surf zone for much of the island. I was wondering how much of a come back they have made they year. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[23mako]

I cannot speak on Topsail. But I know that in Atlantic Beach the re-nourishment over the years has absolutely decimated the sand flea population.

 

[pods]

I stopped looking after about an hour. I think we caught a couple. Plenty of coquinas but very few fleas.
We were in Surf City, so I cannot speak of the whole island.
Odd cause in years past, they were everywhere.

 

[kraus]

Not in the area you asked, but walked three miles of state park beach near Fort Fisher and never saw a single pod. Plenty in past years.

 

[H2OKS]

Thanks guys for your responses. Sounds like the fleas are hard to find on most beaches in the area. Three years ago before the re-nourishment program they were everywhere on Topsail and you could just basically reach down and pick them up no need for a rake. Looks like I will be making alternate plans for fishing for Whiting and Pomps this year.

 

[23mako]

That is always why I keep the sand flea fish bites with me. Some times the fleas are hard to find.

 

[ez2cdave]

That is always why I keep the sand flea fish bites with me. Some times the fleas are hard to find.

I think the problem goes beyond Sand Fleas being hard to find. The beach renourishment program have severely damaged the environment where the Sand Fleas live, to the point that they are no longer there. As a result, the species that prefer to feed on Sand Fleas, most likely , move out of the area in search of a new supply of their preferred food, Sand Fleas. If the fish aren't in the area, the Fish Bites would not be productive, since the fish have relocated.

 

[23mako]

Dave,

Have to disagree with you. I slayed the mullet this past April near the Oceanana pier on Atlantic Beach. I haven't seen a flea there in years.

 

[finfish]

sand fleas are few and far in between since the beach renourishment. Luckily we have fishbites. Plenty of mullet around this year but a lot fewer large pompano. In years past could usually catch several large pompano a day. This year if I catch one feel lucky. All the sand that was pumped up north migrated south with the big blow last fall.

 

[H2OKS]

Finfish we are on the same page just bought myself a couple of bags of the sand flea fishbites for my upcoming trip. Good to hear that the mullet are around so between the fishbites and maybe some shrimp I can catch a few. Planning on hitting the south end of the island as well to try my luck with some Drum. I will post on the trip to let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for all the info guys!

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

Was on Hatteras last week and fished from Ramp 38 down to 55, to include fishing behind the motels and the Point. Sand Fleas everywhere and thick. Was catching dozen at a time with the rake but half the time I just walked down to ankle deep water and scooped several of them up in my hand, put 2 on the hooks and threw the rest back in the surf.

 

[Garboman]

Was on Hatteras last week and fished from Ramp 38 down to 55, to include fishing behind the motels and the Point. Sand Fleas everywhere and thick. Was catching dozen at a time with the rake but half the time I just walked down to ankle deep water and scooped several of them up in my hand, put 2 on the hooks and threw the rest back in the surf.

Seems like an enterprising fella could fill up the back of his pickup with wet sand on Ramp 38, dump in several thousand Sand Fleas, drive South to Topsail and sell the fleas off for $.25 a piece. Put a big sign on side of the vendor truck.

FLEAS FOR SALE

Best be quiet about Sand Flea scarcity.... Enviro's will seek get them designated on the Endangered Species act and no one will be able walk much less drive on the beach.

 

[23mako]

Seems like an enterprising fella could fill up the back of his pickup with wet sand on Ramp 38, dump in several thousand Sand Fleas, drive South to Topsail and sell the fleas off for $.25 a piece. Put a big sign on side of the vendor truck.

FLEAS FOR SALE

Best be quiet about Sand Flea scarcity.... Enviro's will seek get them designated on the Endangered Species act and no one will be able walk much less drive on the beach.

Best be quiet about selling them as well...or someone might do that very thing!

 

[greg12345]

if u know what you are doing topsail can still produce, esp mullet but decent #s of pomps up to 2lbs. keep your flea flavor fishbites i have my own preferences and it aint the BW flavor. also no bead and a smaller circle, on fluoro rig. there is one stretch of beach there that will prob have them back in a year or so. any die hard pomp fisherman will also have vacuum sealed blanched fleas and brined fleas stored in the freezer, good for clear water early or late in the season when the big ones come through

 

[pods]

if u know what you are doing topsail can still produce, esp mullet but decent #s of pomps up to 2lbs. keep your flea flavor fishbites i have my own preferences and it aint the BW flavor. also no bead and a smaller circle, on fluoro rig. there is one stretch of beach there that will prob have them back in a year or so. any die hard pomp fisherman will also have vacuum sealed blanched fleas and brined fleas stored in the freezer, good for clear water early or late in the season when the big ones come through

We saw tons of dink whiting but the beach was incredibly flat. No trough, no holes to speak of even. Tidal move was easy 75 yards up the beach. Not surprising, we had terrible luck this year.
Was that due to all the renourishment at N. Topsail? We were in Surf City, couple miles down from the SC pier. Looked flat at least halfway down the island. It is usually pretty flat, but there used to be subtle structure that held fish during the day (and sharks at night). This year, not so much. Made my kayak rides in a bit more fun though, as waves would break anywhere and everywhere as there were no bars. So it was always "exciting" coming back in.

 

[bad luck]

in oak island, they were around early summer, but they have been tough to find this year, and we need beach re-nourishment...