Hi Folks,
We are finally getting some normal summer showers and reasonable temperatures. This translates to good but unpredictable fishing. By that I mean you have to be observant about the weather. Overall fishing has been pretty good as we enter the dog days of summer. Now here’s my report:
INSHORE: Flounder fishing in the deep holes in the inlets has been very good. Live bait is working best. Reds have been patrolling the banks of the creeks from Carolina Beach to Topsail. Live bait or fresh cut bait have been working well and artificials have been very good early in the morning.
NEAR SHORE: Spanish mackerel have been just next to awesome this season and that is still the right word. Most fish have been caught in 40 feet of water. You can catch them trolling and often sight casting. There have been some large schools of menhaden traveling the beach. These fish always attract big predators such as king mackerel, tarpon, cobia and sharks. Slow trolling a live menhaden around these schools can be very rewarding!
OFFSHORE: Starting at the 10 mile areas and going out to 25 miles, bait fish have been thick (see a pic on my website at http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php.
All the bait is attracting False Albacore and big Spanish mackerel. Some kings and mahi are biting in the 12-18 areas. African pompano are biting near the Tower.
GULFSTREAM: Things are a little slow in the stream with some wahoo and mahi and the occasional sailfish being the main attractions.
UPCOMING: As we move into and through August, we want to fish deeper areas for our inshore fishes. Flounder on the large size should be hanging around the near shore reefs. Continued good fishing for Spanish near shore and kings and mahi should prevail offshore.
I will be at the Oriental Annual Tarpon and Inshore Slam Tournament on August 18. I will have a booth to display some of my custom rods and hope to see many of my friends there!
Until Next Time…LET’S GO FISHING!!! 
“Fishing is Our Business”
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man On Your Boat Guided Trips
Rod-Man Custom Fishing Rods
Rod-Man Charter Booking Service
407 Fox Wood Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
rodman@rodmancharters.com
http://www.rodmancharters.com
http://www.custom-fishingrods.com
910.520.7661