Rod-Man Charters Fishing Report

Hi Folks,
It has been a long and cold winter, but they say spring is less than 2 weeks away. Judging by today’s weather and the temps forecast for the next week, maybe spring will arrive on time.Experience tells me that the fish seem to have a better understanding of when they should show up than the weather. So with that in mind it is certainly time to make final preparations for the spring run. Let’s see if I can make some good predictions as to what to expect over the next 30 days or so…..

Inshore: Some specks and a few small reds will be caught in the creeks, mostly on the falling tide. My preferred baits this time of year are SaltWater Assassin plastics and Gulp. Remember in cooler waters work your baits very slowly. Fresh cut shrimp fished on a carolina rig will work well too. The docks along the ICW should hold some nice black drum that also can be caught on fresh shrimp.

Near Shore: The bluefish should be the first to show up around the near shore artificial reefs. These, along with other fishes, can be caught with your favorite jig. The bonito should be right behind the blues and can be caught with the jigs again or by trolling yozuri deep divers with spinning gear. Some gray trout might be in the mix while you are jigging.

Offshore: Way out, possibly 30 miles plus, the king mackerel bite should be happening. As the water warms the kings will migrate closer and closer to shore, following the schools of bait fish. Also, look for some fat alberts (false albacore) to be around and have a spinning rod ready and rigged with a jig for casting.

Gulfstream: Tuna and wahoo should bite well thru May. Usually there will be some nice mahi mixed in as the water warms and an occasional billfish.

Upcoming: There are still some spots available in the annual Rod-Man “In The Water” Fishing School on Wrightsville Beach (http://www.rodmancharters.com/inthewater-fishing-school.htm) There will be lots of teaching, door prizes and best of all the second day of the two day school will be for fishing! The school is scheduled for June 5-6. Hope to see you there.

Until next time…
LET’S GO FISHING!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

  

Hi Folks,

This is the turkey week version of my report. It actually looks like we will have decent weather for fishing this week and weekend, which is good because the trout bite is getting hot! I had the rare chance to go fishing with a buddy and caught some very nice trout recently and we were surprised by a few small flounder as well. The pic tells it all.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: The main catch is trout. I am having good luck with both Saltwater Assassin swim baits, color “space guppy”, and with Gulp SW swim baits, color chartreuse. I fish both baits on a 1/4 oz. Saltwater Assassin jig head. Trout are biting in the inlets, the waterway and the creeks. I feel sure they are in the river as well, but haven’t had to go there myself to catch fish. A few flounder are still hanging around. Most are on the small side.

Near Shore: Nice size blue fish are around the inlets and the close in artificial and natural reefs. Some false albacore have re-appeared finally after the storm. Both can be caught using your favorite metal jig.

Offshore: Still getting reports of king mackerel in fairly close in the 12-15 mile areas with the best bite from 23 miles to 42 miles. Have heard of some excellent grouper catches in the 12 to 30 mile range.

Gulfstream: When boats have been able to get out, there has been a good bite of wahoo and blackfin tuna. There have been some sailfish caught as well.

Upcoming: The trout bite should only get better. We have had a mild fall thus far and that should extend the fishing season, possibly well into January. Unfortunately I have to end my season very soon and finish preparations for all the winter shows and fishing schools I will be attending. If you get a chance to come to the Raleigh, Greensboro, Atlantic City or Somerset NJ shows, please come by and say hello. I will have nearly one hundred of my hand made fishing rods for sale at deep discounts. I’ll have everything form fly rods to blue water rods. Lastly, don’t forget to get registered while seats are still available for the Annual Rod-Man Fishing School February 27, 2010.

Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday and until next time…..

LET’S GO FISHING!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120