Hi Folks,
This is very unusual for me…but I am closing out the season as of Nov. 1. I am taking a vacation for most of November and going on a cruise to celebrate my dad’s 90th birthday. When I return, I hope the waters and the fishing are cooperating much better than they have for the last month. By then it will be time for me to build some more fishing rods to have for sale at the winter boat shows (more on that later). The 24” rainfall we had has done more to ruin fall fishing than I first thought. The water is dirty and the fish simply don’t like it. Oh there are plenty of fish around; they’re just hiding.
Now here’s my report:
INSHORE: The most consistent and predictable fish has been my favorite, the redfish. You can find them around structure in the creeks, the ICW, and the inlets on a falling tide. Fresh cut bait and artificials work very well this time of year. Trout have been a bit more sporadic, but persistence and time hopefully will find you some fish. Flounder are a bit tough to find right now.
NEAR SHORE: Bluefish around the inlets have been pretty solid on the rising tide. They are hitting your favorite jigging spoon. A few patches of false albacore are here and there. Some gray trout are hanging around, but the new limit of one per person hardly makes for a real target.
OFFSHORE: Reports of king macks from the shore out 30 miles have been coming in with the 23 mile rock seeming to be the hot spot.
GULFSTREAM: I have had reports of wahoo and blackfin primarily.
UPCOMING: After my cruise vacation, I will be building inventory (custom fishing rods) for the four shows I will be attending this coming year: Raleigh Expo Jan. 7-9; Richmond Expo Jan. 21-23; Greensboro Expo February 25-27; and in Wilmington The Cape Fear Wildlife Expo Mar. 18-21.I hope to see many old friends and plenty of new friends at the shows.
Until Next Time….LET’S GO FISHING!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-520-7661
