Rod-Man Charters Fishing Report

Hot Fishing in Hot Weather

Capt. Rick Bennett — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:39:10 +0000

Hi Folks,
Water temps inshore are in the mid 80’s and off the beach the low 80’s. That simply means fish in deeper spots. Inshore that can mean 8′ instead of 3′ or in the ocean, 45′ instead of 15′. We have had a very good past week doing just that; catching spanish macs in 40 feet or more and reds in 8 feet instead of the usual 3-4 feet.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Finger mullet have shown up in very large numbers and the redfish have been biting hard. We caught 5 yesterday. Be sure to see the pics at Rod-Man Fishing Photos.
Some nice flounder are biting in the deeper holes near the inlets. Best fishing has been on live bait fished on carolina rigs.

Near Shore: During the past week we have some huge schools of spanish mackerel in the area and some nice kings have been mixed in with them. Planers and bird rigs have worked for trolling and Maria jigs have done well for sight casting. Slow trolling with cigar minnows has produced some nice kings. Barracuda are plentiful at the nearshore reefs. Some nice flounder are oceanside in the deep and cooler waters near the natural and artificial reefs.

Offshore: Plenty of king mac and mahi action happening from 8 to 25 miles. Lots of sailfish are in the area and can be caught on naked ballyhoo fished behind a tantalizing dredge. Lots of African pompano at the tower and some nice kings as well.

Gulfstream: For those making the trip some wahoo and blackfin tuna have been caught along with sails and some other billfish.

Wow it is hot, but it doesn’t seem the fish are minding too much. Try to fish early in the morning or late in the evening. Inshore night fishing is almost always good….and cooler.

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

“Swell” Fishing and the Flounder and Reds are Biting

Capt. Rick Bennett — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:34:05 +0000

Hi Folks,
The high swell from Bertha has taken its toll on fishing beyond the inlets this past week. Add to that the recent rains mucking up the inshore fishing and it has been somewhat of a difficult week. We have managed to catch a few fish though, mostly reds and flounder inshore. Things should be settling down rapidly and the weekend looks good.
Now here’s my report:
Inshore: We are catching some nice flounder in the inlets and the creeks. Action has come on live bait and strip bait fished on carolina rigs. Reds are hanging around the ICW dock and up the creeks with the best bite on the falling tide.
Near Shore: Spanish have been biting here and there, but the swell has slowed the bite. Look for the action to pick back up today or tomorrow. It’s hot so clarkspoons fished deep on #1 planers is the way to go. Just before the swell got here we had some nice king mac action in the 5 mile area.
Offshore: Look for kings, amberjack, barracuda and mahi, along with an occasional sailfish in the 8-15 mile areas. Slow trolling with live bait, cigar minnows and ballyhoo have produced the best results.
Gulfstream: No reports this week.

I haven’t said much about my new Nautic Star 24 lately, so after running her for 4 months I thought I would give you an update. I cannot imagine that there is a better bay boat with more room and versatility. I have so much storage space sometimes I forget where I put things! It runs shallow and it takes the ocean great. It is truly a do everything boat.
Be sure to check out the pics I have added to the photo gallery.
Hope to see you on the water.

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

Good Summer Fishing Inshore and Off the Beach

Capt. Rick Bennett — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:47:20 +0000

Hi Folks, I hope everyone had a nice 4th and many of you had the opportunity to get on the water. It was a really nice weekend. Fishing has entered the summer routine. That is the weather is hot everyday and the fishing is hot every other day…or at least it seems that way.
Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Redfishing has been pretty good with a good amount of the fish taken on topwater lures. Still catching fish on live and dead bait around ICW and creek docks. Best fishing is on the falling tide. The flounder bite has been good if a little inconsistent. The days they bite well we are catching some very nice fish. Live menhaden have worked best.

Near Shore: Spanish mackerel have been another hit or miss fish just lately. Best bite is on #1 planers and 00 clarkspoons. A few tarpon have been spotted. Kings have been caught as close as 5 miles off the beach.

Offshore: There has been a strong bite of kings and some mahi in the 10-15 mile areas. Live menhaden have done well and off course cigar minnows and ballyhoo have caught plenty of fish. Try using some live cigar minnows caught on a sabiki rig at the offshore artificial reefs.

Gulfstream: No reports.

The 2009 annual Rod-Man Fishing School will be held in Raleigh at the State Fairgrounds. February 28, 2009 is the date that has been set. Look for more details to come soon.

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

Good Fishing 4th of July Week

Capt. Rick Bennett — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:29:41 +0000

Hi Folks, We have had a few days of breezy weather but not real bad, and things have calmed back down shaping things up for a nice holiday weekend. I had a day off yesterday and enjoyed some early morning topwater action with redfish.
Now here’s my report:

Redfishing has heated up and fish are biting very well. Live bait has moved into the area and the reds seem to like it. Flounder are doing well near the inlets and some are biting in Snow’s Cut and the river. A few big bluefish in the 6 pound range have been terrorizing live bait in some of the creeks.

Near Shore: Spanish mackerel are the big bite here. Trolling with clarkspoons and bird rigs or casting with small jigs has been producing very nice catches.

Offshore: Kings are biting well in the 8-10 mile areas as well as further out in the 18 to 25 mile spots. Mahi have moved in closer and are mixed in with the kings. I like pink and blue Bluewater Candy Feather Weight skirts to attract mahi. Live bait, dead bait and even GULP cigar minnows are catching fish.

Gulfstream: I have received reports of some very nice mahi and wahoo catches. A few blackfin tuna and some billfish are around as well.

It’s hard to believe the year is half over. We have entered the hot part of the fishing season, both for fishing and for the fisherman. Remember to hydrate and wear sunscreen.

We will be announcing our 2009 fishing school plans soon so stay tuned.

I hope everyone has a pleasant and safe holiday weekend and catch plenty of fish!

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

Wrightsville and Carolina Beach are HOT and SO is the Fishing

Capt. Rick Bennett — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:24:38 +0000

Hi Folks,
Fishing has pretty much been on fire this past week. Spanish mackerel head the list with reds a close second. We even caught a nice king on a 1/4 oz. “Maria” jig. Please see the photo gallery on my website for all the pics.
Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Redfishing has heated up and fish are biting very well. Live bait has moved into the area and the reds seem to like it. Flounder are doing well near the inlets and some are biting in Snow’s Cut and the river. A few big bluefish in the 6 pound range have been terrorizing live bait in some of the creeks.

Near Shore: Spanish mackerel continue to be the big bite here. Trolling with clarkspoons and bird rigs or casting with small jigs has been producing very nice catches. Beware: kings have moved in with all the bait and may hit your lure or jig!

Offshore: Kings are biting well in the 8-10 mile areas as well as further out in the 18 to 25 mile spots. Live bait, dead bait and even GULP cigar minnows are catching fish.

Gulfstream: I have received reports of some very nice mahi and wahoo catches. A few blackfin tuna and some billfish are around as well.

It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the July 4th weekend. Fishing should be excellent and for those that are interested, I have some prime dates open for the 4th weekend. Hope to see you. Until then…..
LETS GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

Everything is Biting Around Wrightsville Beach

Capt. Rick Bennett — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:09:53 +0000

Hi Folks,
Whew, what a week, plus. We have been fishing everyday and catching too. Flounder, reds and spanish have been our main catches, but lots of other fish are biting as well.
Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Flounder are biting at the usual spots near the inlets and in the waterway. The river is also producing some nice fish. Live menhaden on carolina rigs work well but don’t hesitate to use GULP SW and a jig head. They catch fish too. Reds have been biting on the falling tide in the ICW and the creeks. chunk bait (any oily fish) will get the job done.

Near Shore: Spanish mackerel are THE bite. Possibly the best spanish bite in many years. Clarkspoons trolled on planers and bird rigs, casting jigs and gotchas…all bringing in nice spanish. Just check out the photo gallery too see. A few cobia have been biting just outside the inlets and near the AR’s further out.

Offshore: The kings are biting from 10 miles out to 25 miles along with some mahi from 15 miles out to 25 miles.

Gulfstream: Some nice mahi are being caught and some big wahoo as well. Blackfin tuna are still chomping.

Many old timers…I guess I fall into that category…are saying this is one of the best years for fishing in a long time. I know fuel prices are outrageous, but try to get out on the water and take advantage of the action.

Be sure to check out my pics on the fishing report page and in the photo album.

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

Spanish Mackerel Right off the Beach

Capt. Rick Bennett — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:30:25 +0000

Hi Folks,
Spanish mackerel fishing is as hot as it gets. Undoubtedly the best spanish fishing in years is happening now. Planers with clarkspoons, bird rigs with clarkspoons and casting with jigs….all are catching nice spanish along the beach.Catching a limit is predictable, but use good sense and conserve.

Inshore: The flounder bite is doing well although the fish are particular about the tide and it seems bait too. Best fishing has been on the incoming tide and the beginning of the falling tide. Best bait has been live menhaden, but if you cannot get the live bait, try GULP on a 1/4 oz. jig. Bait is getting better and better inshore and the reds are showing up with it.

Near Shore: Spanish, spanish and more spanish is the bite! A few cobia are being spotted, but catches are few as yet. Large blues are still around.

Offshore: Kings are biting best around 18-25 miles. Some mahi are biting in the 20-25 mile areas.

Gulfstream: Gulfstream fishing is producing wahoo and nice mahi.

Summer fishing is in full swing now and all indications point toward a banner year. See you on the water.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

Memorial Weekend Fishing Wrightsville and Carolina Beaches

Capt. Rick Bennett — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:18:30 +0000

Hi Folks and Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Two things of importance: looks like we are going to have a pretty nice weekend and the fish are biting. I had a really nice couple today, fishing on their anniversary (her choice and what a lucky guy). We caught four flounder and one redfish.

Now here’s my report:
Inshore: The flounder are biting pretty well in the inlets and the river Live menhaden has been the best bait and the incoming tide worked well for us today. Redfish are start to show but better numbers are coming just around the corner so to speak.

Near Shore: Some cobia sightings have been reported. Big chopper blues and “normal” size blues are biting well and the spanish bite is good as well.

Offshore: From the 12 mile areas to the Tower, the king mack bite is good. Favorite spots are the Schoolhouse and the 23 mile rock.

Gulfstream: Big mahi, wahoo and a few tuna have been reported. Some billfish activity is also happening.

I hope you have a chance to get on the water this weekend and I hope you will be safe and responsible. Until then….

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

Spanish Mackerel Right off the Beach

Gillwetter Press — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:34:31 +0000

Hi Folks,
It has been an interesting week with various degrees of good and bad. The bad came on weather days that were much less than optimum and the good came on those rare light and variable wind days that seem to be farther and farther apart. Yesterday was absolutely the prettiest day thus far this year. Unfortunately, the rest of the week and weekend does not look very good…high winds and rainy.
Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Fishing has been good one day and slow to stopped the next. This is fairly typical in the spring and totally unpredictable. On the good days we did have some nice action on reds and blacks. Best bait has been shrimp fished on a carolina rig with a #2 wide bend hook. The live bait is starting to show up and look for the flounder bite to kick off hard soon.

Near Shore: We are still having good catches of bonito and the first big spanish of the season have arrived. We caught two yesterday in the 3+ pound range. Best near shore bait right now has been the Yozuri Crystal Minnow Deep Diver fished trolling and 3 to 3.2 knots. Use spinning gear and have some fun.

Offshore: King macks are biting from 10 miles on out to the Tower. Cigar minnows and ballyhoo work well. Try some GULP cigar minnows…the spring kings love them. Also, the larger size Deep Divers work well.

Gulfstream: I have had reports of good mahi catches. Blackfin tuna and a few yellowfin have been biting as well along with some real good catches of wahoo. There has been some good billfish action as well.

It’s time to make your plans to go fishing. Many folks wait ’til the last minute only to find their favorite captain is already booked. Book early to assure your best date.
Until then…..

Lets’ Go Fishing!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

Bonito and Blues Biting Hard off Wrightsville/Carolina Beaches

Capt. Rick Bennett — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:25:46 +0000

Hi Folks,

This weekend brought some nice weather and gave us the opportunity to get out and chase some bonito. The good news is there are bonito out there and more.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Reds and trout are biting in the inlets, the ICW and the river. Best baits right now are GULP SW and fresh shrimp or cut bait. A few flounder are starting to show up…a bit on the smaller size.

Near Shore: Bluefish are just about everywhere. Catch-em trolling Yozuri Deep Divers or jigging with you favorite jigging spoon. Bonito are around and the best method right now is trolling: you can do this two ways; try trolling Deep Divers and 3-3.4 kts. or use clarkspoons on planers at 5-6 kts. The deep divers are more sporting.

Offshore: The kings are getting closer…25-30 miles. Bottom fishing for grouper in the 30-40 mile range is good.

Gulfstream: I have received reports of great mahi catches with some yellowfin and blackfin tuna added to the catch. Wahoo have been biting as well.

Outlook: Look for things to fire off fast now. The water is in the 67-68 magic mark. Spanish should show up any day and the first of the year are the big ones. The bigger flounder should move in very soon.

I am really enjoying my new Nautic Star 24 Bay Boat. It does it all and with all the amenities.

The primary vote is just around the corner. I won’t express my political view, but I will urge you to vote. It is not only your right, it is your obligation.

Don’t miss the action:

LET”S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120