Checking in again on Topsail Inlet and Topsail Banks Channel - FryingPanTower.Com

2nd Mate Joined: Mar 29, 2010 Posts: 37

Ok, my trip is coming up next week and I am just checking to see how much the sand bars have moved around. I have a house reserved with a dock on the Topsail Banks Channel. I am staying near the 15 in the banks channel and am wondering if I am better off just taking the channel to the inlet or if I should take the channel to the ICW and then down to the inlet. The survey looks REALLY shallow between the banks channel and the ICW in the inlet but as always the survey is just a picture of what it used to look like.

Also, is there a gas / bait dock nearby?

Thanks as always!!!

DD

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:25 pm Post subject:

the bars in banks channel are wher they have been for a while now just take your time the first time through banks channel and make a track on gps, just run pole to pole you should be fine.

as far as gas there is beach house marina right past swing bridge, and there is harbour village marina that is roughly 6 miles south of swing bridge. harbour village is probably your better bet, but not sure where you are staying.

as far as bait stop by east coast tackle on you r way in and they will hook you up with all the bait you need. unless you want live bait then make sure you bring your cast net.

the lniet got dredged but still sucks, make sure you go read all th post on topsail inlet in this forum you will get all the info you need.
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Three Buoys Fishing Team
26' Regulator

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:56 pm Post subject:

If your looking for ice/bait come stop by surf city crab! Right by beach house marina. Also, feel free to park the boat, and go get breakfast at hardees or something. We sell ice for $3 a basket.
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2009 14\' Voyager Jonboat
2009 9.8 Nissan Marine 4 stroke

Ol'Salt Joined: Aug 26, 2008 Posts: 146

Try to avoid Topsail Inlet at dead low tide. Just read the water, the bouys are near correct as of the 2nd week of July. If you don't feel comfortable, don't try it. Just run to MBI.

2nd Mate Joined: Mar 29, 2010 Posts: 37

Thanks for all the info as usual!!! Lets just hope for calm seas and hungry fish!!!

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:05 am Post subject:

I ran Topsail yesterday morning at low tide with no problems. Ocean was calm and so was inlet. I was watching the water more than the scope, but I do recall seeing as little as about 5ft. Low tide was about 0730 and that is what time I went through.
_________________
Capt. Brent Stanley
Current Adventure Charters
910.200.9959
www.currentadventurecharters.com
'09 ECC Vantage, 90HP Honda 4-stroke
(custom hull #3)

Ol'Salt Joined: Mar 08, 2004 Posts: 1142

The only recommendation I have is to avoid traversing the inlet at or near low tide with a strong 15-20 mph SW wind. The inlet will have breakers all the way across the bar and becomes very unmanageable.
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SeaHunter 35 CC
186 Sailfish
17 Mitzi Skiff

2nd Mate Joined: Mar 29, 2010 Posts: 37

Well, just got back and Man was that a tricky inlet. Onshore wind all week made this even tougher. I was able to get in and out when I chose but with a full boat I opted to run to MBI more times than not. LOONNGG run but I really did not want to risk it with a less than experienced crew (14 year olds and sister in law who was terrified).

The buoys were accurate but you had to hug them tight, not much room to wander or drift off course.

The banks channel was also tight with WAY too many inexperienced people blocking the channel on the weekend. That one spot around marker 2 or 3 where the pilings are tricked me up at dead low tide. I decided to park on the beach and have a picnic (with towboatUS to get off the bar). Got a good track in the chart plotters hugging the pilings and then going to the other marker and all was ok.

Fishing in the banks channel was fun with lots of spot and croaker for bait and some monster skates that ran like crazy!!! They at least put up a good fight.

Will try and post a report of the week in the other forum later this weekend.

DD

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