It looks like the ocean wants to put the sand back, but a dredged out area will be welcomed by boaters.

This is a January 24, 2024 hydrographic survey of the Bogue Inlet Ocean Bar, courtesy of the Army’s Inlets & Inlet Crossings Surveys – Wilmington District:

This is why driving on the beach has been suspended at the point for the first 6 weeks of 2024.

The post 2024 Bogue Inlet Dredging appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

The announcement read:

Good Afternoon,

Dates:  January 1, 2024 thru February 15th, 2024.

Beach Driving will be suspended from the west of Doe Drive ramp to the point from the dates of 01/01/2024 through 02/15/2024.

This area of the beach will be unavailable and off-limits to beach driving during the duration of the dredging and beach nourishment project.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding during the completion of this project. If the project is completed sooner than scheduled, we will re-open this area.

Screenshot:

A significant amount of dredging needs to take place, so hopefully they are done around February 15.

The post Emerald Isle Beach Driving Closed at “The Point” 2024 appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

On October 10, 2023, Mike Stanley, owner, posted on Facebook that King fishing would be ending. The end of the pier will be open for all, and King rigs will now be banned.

And on October 16, 2023, the King fishermen had a fantastic day:

Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/bogueinletpier/posts/720711246763583

You can’t make everyone happy.

Ya know, I personally rarely fish that deep and am used to King fishermen having the end of the pier for their setups at most piers that I’ve been to. I personally would’ve left it the way that it is, but, it isn’t up to me, and now that it’s open, I may stroll down to the end and fish there once or twice a year. But, it doesn’t matter what I think.

I’m sure there have been King fishermen who have been overprotective of their area, and, I’m sure there have been tourists being a nuisance and creating an unsafe environment.

Some piers allow King, some don’t. Some allow beer, some don’t. Some let people walk the pier for free, some charge. It is what it is. If someone doesn’t like it, they could always make Mike an offer and change the rules.

Read it for Yourself.

Below is the original content, posted on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/bogueinletpier/posts/716810120487029

A Note from the Owner of Bogue Inlet Pier:

If you look around Emerald Isle, it’s become quite obvious that within the past few years our little beach community has changed dramatically. We have been inundated with visitors as well as permanent residents in numbers that are perhaps 20 years ahead of it’s time.

As a result, our pier has struggled to keep pace with staggering growth that will only increase. I have always tried to stay ahead of the curve. In 2016 we demolished the Pier House and rebuilt it to accomodate a larger demand. As an individual that resists too many rules and regulations I have always kept our policies to an absolute minimum. Simple is better! In an effort to keep our operation as streamlined as possible (given the increased traffic), I have decided to open the entire pier to bottom fishing. This will eliminate the gates on the end of the pier and allow everyone access to fishing on the end 24 hours/ 7 days a week. I realize this will not sit well with the King Fishing Community on the end. I have always jokingly said that the end is a “Pirate Ship on Pilings” and there have been times when that was close to the truth! My goal in this dramatic change is to reduce current rules, and to streamline misunderstandings and confrontation. As of March 2024, ALL fishermen will be considered BOTTOM FISHING. KING FISHING as an exclusive group will no longer exist on the end of Bogue Inlet Pier. I am not saying anyone can’t catch a large fish but it will have to be with smaller (and simpler) tackle. ALL fishermen will be allowed 2 rods per person with absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS. There will not be any KING RIGS allowed and light to medium rods and tackle will be acceptable. We have been noticing many fishermen bringing more than the allowed rods on the pier for one reason or another. This practice will stop and we will be very vigilant on this rule.

Another change in the works will be the installation of automated parking. I will discuss this change in depth down the road. Season Fishing Passes will be available for the same price as this year ($300.) and it will include free parking for passholders.

I realize these changes will affect our business, but actually for the better. It will be a downward bump for a couple of years. Our goal is to throttle back the masses to include those who really love and appreciate the hard work my staff does daily. The days of free everything is over. We want our island back.

Thanks for your attention and please enjoy this beautiful Fall weather!

Mike Stanley

The post Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier Cancels Pier Fishing Effective March 2024 appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

Save the Sea Turtles!

This vanity plate was crafted in 2002 by Jean Beasley, who was at the time the director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. There is a great write up of the license plate’s release over on StarNews Online. A portion of the proceeds goes to this great turtle hospital. Be sure to visit the hospital either in person or online at https://www.seaturtlehospital.org/.

Big Rock

You would have to be living under a big rock to not know what the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is. Did you know that in 2022 one luck team won $5,858,875? Anyways, if you would like a marlin on your license plate, visit the DMV’s website. You can read more about this plate here: https://www.thebigrock.com/big-rock-specialty-plate/.

Core Sound

One way to donate to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center is to get their license plate which features the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. For other ways, visit www.coresound.com.

Ducks Unlimited

This is one of my favorite plates, which of course features the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, which reached completion in 1870.

NC Coast:

This specialty plate supports The North Carolina Coastal Federation and was released in 2017. The North Carolina Coastal Federation is a member-supported 501(c)3 that is focused on protecting and restoring the North Carolina coast. Read more about this plate here: https://www.nccoast.org/license-plate/.

Coastal Land Trust:

The mission of the Coastal Land Trust is to enrich the coastal communities of North Carolina through conservation of natural areas and working landscapes, education, and the promotion of good land stewardship.Read more about their plate here: https://coastallandtrust.org/license-plate/.

Buddy Pelletier

The Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation in Morehead City is a a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame member Buddy Pelletier. There’s a great write up about this surfer’s legacy on StarNews.

NC Aquariums:

New in 2023 is this plate which features a sea turtle, river otter and a sand tiger shark. A portion of the proceeds goes to the N.C. Aquarium Society.

The post North Carolina’s “Beachiest” Custom Beach License Plates appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

North Carolina State Law

North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) explain where drones are and are not permitted.

It’s a common misconception that recreational drones are not allowed to fly over private property. This is not true. You can fly over private property. No special consent from the homeowner is needed. You can fly a helicopter or an airplane over private property as well.

While it is perfectly legal to fly over private property, North Carolina State Law does prohibit surveillance of private property.

NCGS § 15A-300.1 states:

No person, entity, or State agency shall use an unmanned aircraft system to do any of the following:

(1) Conduct surveillance of:
a. A person or a dwelling occupied by a person and that dwelling’s curtilage without the person’s consent.
b. Private real property without the consent of the owner, easement holder, or lessee of the property.

(2) Photograph an individual, without the individual’s consent, for the purpose of publishing or otherwise publicly disseminating the photograph. This subdivision shall not apply to newsgathering, newsworthy events, or events or places to which the general public is invited.

Be Polite!

I don’t know about you but I don’t want a drone hovering over my house. If your drone is traveling to the ocean or you’re taking some pictures of the beautiful island, go for it. But in addition to following the law I hope that all recreational drone operators also use some common  sense and courtesy.

The post Can You Fly Drones over Personal Property in Emerald Isle NC? appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

Fishing just isn’t going to be great until the water temperatures drop.

That said, there are a ton of people on the island due to COVID19. It seems like everyone is working from home and homeschooling their kids and the beach rentals are booked solid. It’s like it is still summer here – I’ve never seen anything like it.

I have spent much of the first half of September in North Topsail Beach. There is a ton of bait fish in the water up here. You can catch pinfish or mullet with every cast. I’ve caught nothing else though. I did see some black drum caught at the north end of North Topsail. So, they’re there. I believe the fish was caught on a live minnow. To get a live minnow just throw a cast net into the surf and you’ll have about 20 to choose from.

At the piers they’re catching Kingfish and the occasional Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and Black Drum.

If you simply want to take the kids fishing, grab a pole with the tiniest hooks you can buy and throw a tiny piece of shrimp onto the hook. Sound Side Park or even fishing in the surf should keep them busy and they’ll catch fish with every cast! I stood in the surf today and caught about 30 pin fish myself and I only cast my line out about 25 times. They were coming in 2 at a time on some casts.

Spots are beginning to show up, but, they seem to be taking their time.

Recap:

Spots are starting to show up

There’s a lot of finger mullet minnows in the surf

There are occasional pinfish, mullet, black drum, bluefish, mackeral being caught

Kingfisherman are catching Kingfish

Founder are being caught by giggers at night and by people w/ kayaks and boats. Season just opened mid-August.

Spanish are nearshore if you have a boat

Redfish – I heard Red Drum are hitting topwater lures in the streams

The post Topsail Island Fishing Report September 2020 appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

Here’s a pic which was taken by photographer Wilton Wescott:

Wilton also posted this great aerial footage to youtube:

The event was organized on Facebook here.

Another Trump boat parade is scheduled for October 24, 2020 as well.

Does Topsail Island love Donald Trump?

There is definitely overwhelming support for Trump in Surf City and on Topsail Island.

Trump 2020 flags may be seen in front of businesses, souvenir shops, bars, restaurants, beach houses and of course on the back of Jeeps, trucks and especially boats.

Support for the President varies depending on which part of North Carolina you travel to. Some liberal cities, such as Asheville, are definitely “Biden cities”, while the vast majority of the mountains are Trump towns. Major cities such as Charlotte and Raleigh are generally  mixed, however, the people who are Democrats are generally more vocal in the larger towns. In rural NC, Trump is by far the candidate of choice.

One thing is for sure…. Boaters love Donald Trump.

The post Topsail Island September 5 2020 Donald Trump Boat Parade appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

Please note that if you’re a previous owner and would still like to use the house after it is sold I am open to interesting arrangements and totally cool with making that happen for you.

Wish list:

• $300,000 – $500,000 (I am open to cheaper fixxer uppers but the house must be able to appraise and be financed)
• Walking distance to beach (While I love being on the water I want to be 2 or 3 doors back)
• Near public beach access (It is amazing how fast those get repaired after a storm!)
• Must have car port or garage (to store golf cart, Jeep and fishing gear)
• I am most interested in Surf City (the area between the 2 bridges), however, I have not ruled out other areas of TI and am even considering Emerald Isle.

This will be house #5 for me and I am very familiar with the buying process in North Carolina. I’m pre-approved w/ my lender and have down payment cash in hand. Any offer I make on a property will come with significant due diligence cash. If you’re using a real estate agent they will basically be happy to see a strong, clean offer and happy to learn that I’m extremely easy going w/ no surprises.

This will be a rental home. While I fully intend on using it and will block off several weeks and months for myself, if you’ve rented from me before and are looking for a great experience I hope to be able to offer that to you again. Unfortunately, I stay pretty busy on the mainland. I’m in no rush to buy but I am indeed prepared to do so. I’ll be sure to update this page when I have news.

The post I am looking to purchase a house at Topsail Island appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

A good friend of mine, Eric, who sells large quantities of homes, told me the market often takes a good 9 months to catch up with what’s happening in the real world. People’s unemployment begins to run out and they have to move, prices dive, etc. He didn’t give me any warm and fuzzy feelings.

However, 2020 has been a crazy year. People are leaving densely populated cities. They’re sick and tired of protests, riots, viruses. People are working from home. Kids are getting homeschooled. Cruise lines are closed. Nobody wants to fly. What’s that mean? People are flocking to suburbs and people are also buying beach houses. A house with 10 acres in the country 40min outside of a city in NC is in extremely high demand, like nothing seen in my lifetime. Coastal property is hot too. Not as hot, but it is doing very well.

I am personally looking to buy a beach house. We’ll see what happens in the market this winter, but it appears homes in the 300k-600k price point are in steady demand.

The post Post Covid-19 Real Estate Sales are Picking Up at Topsail Island appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.

Hurricane Isaias wasn’t bad and after the power came back on everyone washed the sand off their deck and we’re back in action. Fishing was goofed up before the storm but is back to normal now.

August fishing in Topsail isn’t that great, but based on what I saw at the end of July, here’s what you can expect..

At the piers they are catching

• A few Spot
• The occasional Sea Trout
• Larger Spanish Mackerel from time to time
• Sheepshead. This is your best chance of catching supper.
• Mullet
• Flounder
• Pinfish and Pig fish are biting if you want to keep the kids busy

If you want to fish the surf like I do, just cast a line out past where the waves break. If you can’t fish w/ a 2oz weight just say to heck with it and wait a day. There are shark out at night and in the day you can have fun catching mullet. In August you can expect to catch a very random Pompano, Blue crab or Black Drum.

Stay safe! Here’s a sheepshead:

The post Topsail Island Fishing Report August 2020 appeared first on Welcome to Topsail Island.