Rod-Man Charters Fishing Report

Strong Low Pressure Hampers Fishing

Capt. Rick Bennett — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:55:52 +0000

Hi Folks,
It is past time for a report, but I was trying to wait until I could give you something more positive. It seems the weather has a longer time in mind, so I thought I would go ahead and bring you up to date. The persistent NE winds and now the strong low pressure have really put a stop to fishing. The fish are there, but it is just not comfortable to get out in 20-40 knot winds to fish. When the wind does settle we will be in full fall fishing and look for the fish to be hungry. Founder, reds and trout should be biting.
Now here’s my report:
Inshore: We have gotten out a couple of times in the past week and have had some good luck with reds and flounder. Look for this trend to explode when things calm down.
Near Shore: I have not been in the ocean in two weeks. I do know of a couple of cobia catches. I figure a few spanish have been around, but expect they may be gone by the time the ocean settles down. We may have one more run, but it is more likely that we will see false albacore and Atlantic bonito when the seas settle. The gray trout bite should be in full swing and the ocean bite for flounder should be peaking. Look for bluefish as well.
Offshore: The king mackerel bite should move in fairly close in the next few days and the fish should be bigger. Frying pan tower will be on fire for the next two months.
Gulfstream: I have no reports, but figure it is about time for a strong run of tuna and wahoo in the very near future.

We are entering that time of the year when some of the best fishing occurs.Summer is good and sometimes great, but fall, October thru December is the best fishing of the year. Take advantage of it. Many folks put their rods up too early.

The annual Rod-Man Fishing School is set. It will be February 28, 2009 at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds, the Gov. Martin Bldg. In an effort to go against the tide, I am reducing the price this year from last years’ $90 per person to only $75 per person. That includes a little something to get you started in the morning and a full catered lunch, and of course a full day of fishing information…the what, when and how. More will be on line soon, including a printable registration form.

That is all for now and as usual….when we can:

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

Pre and Post Hanna Report

Capt. Rick Bennett — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:57:39 +0000

Hi Folks,
Well, we survived TS Hanna. She churned up the water a bit, but on the good side, it looks like the mullet run has started. I just put the boat back in the water Monday and fished yesterday with poor results. I expect that to change rapidly. Prior to the storm, fishing was very good with spanish mackerel heading the list followed by reds and flounder. With good weather, look for a great fall fishing season. I offer the pre-Hanna report below:

Inshore: Big flounder as well as big reds are being caught on live bait in the inlets, the creeks, and the ICW. With finger mullet plentiful, it is the natural bait and should be fished on a carolina rig.

Near Shore: Spanish mackerel are biting on clarkspoons with number one planers and bird rigs. Best fishing has been in 35-45 feet of water. Some small king mackerel have been mixed in with the spanish. Be sure to observe the 24″ minimum on the kings.

Offshore: King mackerel have been biting well from 10 to 25 miles out. As the water cools look for the bigger fish to move closer to the beach.

Gulfstream: No reports.

A second reminder: my email address has changed. The new address is rodman@rodmancharters.com. Please make a note of it.

Be sure to check my photo page for new pics of customers catching some nice fish..

http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php

Until next time,

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

Big Red Drum at Wrightsville Beach

Capt. Rick Bennett — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:44:24 +0000

Hi Folks,
When we are not catching spanish we are fighting some pretty nice red drum on lite tackle. Spanish macs have been the fish of this season thus far, but we cannot forget our popular inshore friends the reds, flounder and trout. Fall fishing is just around the corner and all three will be chomping.

A note for your address book. I am changing my email address to rodman@rodmancharters.com. please make a note or change in your address book. Thank you.
Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Red drum continue to supply a lot of action. Best bait is finger mullet fished on carolina rigs around heavy structure. Large flounder are biting near the inlets and the cut. Same bait, same rig for flounder.

Near Shore: Spanish macs continue to produce big catches. I have the best luck with #1 planers and 00 clarkspoons on 35′ 25# leaders. I also use a bird rig on top with a spinning rod.

Offshore: The king bite continues to do well in the 10-25 mile range with still some mahi and a few sails in the mix. Slow trolling with live menhaden, ballyhoo and cigar minnows will do the trick.

Offshore: A small marlin, only 1228 pounds, was caught off Oregon Inlet recently. Congrats to the captain and crew.

I am happy to announce a new sponsor. Island Tackle and Hardware, located in Carolina Beach has joined the Rod-Man Team. They will be at our 2009 Fishing School offering great deals on all the best tackle. Be sure to stop in and check out their store. They are expanding by over 50% and the expansion should be complete within two months in time for holiday shopping. Welcome Dennis and Wanda and staff.

Time is flying and soon we will be in the middle of fabulous fall fishing and then we will be in boat show season and my fishing school in Raleigh on February 28, 2009. Stay tuned for all the details. Just a hint, with everything going up in price I have decided to REDUCE the price of the best fishing school in North Carolina. More later.

Its time to gear up for fall. Check out Bug-em Bait and Island Tackle for all your needs. Until then,

LETS GO FISHING
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

Fishing is HOT HOT HOT!!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:46:53 +0000

Hi Folks,
It’s raining here at the coast and since I cannot go fishing, I can at least talk (write) about fishing.While the story this year has been the spanish mac bite, some big reds have been showing up in the last week. I took a day off yesterday and took a kid fishing (my 38 year old daughter) and we caught a flounder and two nice reds. Earlier in the last week one customer caught a 33″ red…nice. Check out all the pics in my photo album: http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php?g2_itemId=648
Now here is my report:

Inshore: Redfish and flounder are biting finger mullet. The mullet are virtually everywhere in large numbers, so finding bait should be no problem. Use a carolina rig and the appropriate size egg weight and fish the docks and deep holes for best results.

Near Shore: Spanish and more spanish…all you want and any way you want. Cast to them, troll for them or even fly fish for them. Cast with small Maria jigs; troll with 00 clarkspoons fished with #1 planers and 30-35′ 25# leaders; fly fish with small flies in yellow or chartreuse and stripped very fast.

Offshore: Kings and mahi are biting from 8 to 25 miles out. Some of the best fishing has been in the 18 to 25 mile range. Sailfish are still biting. Be sure to use a dredge to tease them up and have a bait running just behind the dredge.

Gulfstream: Fishing has slowed which is typical in the very hot months. As waters cool toward October look for the wahoo and tuna to bite hard.

Just a mention, the Annual Rod-Man Fishing School will be February 28, 2009 at the State Fairgrounds Gov. Martin Bldg. in Raleigh. We will have a tremendous slate of speakers to tell the when, where and how to catch the fish you are after….and of course good food. Unlike the national trend to raise the price on everything, we have decided to reduce our price to $75, down from $90 last year. We hope this will help folks be able to take advantage of NC’s best fishing school. More details coming soon.

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

Hot Fishing in Hot Weather

Capt. Rick Bennett — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:29:36 +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 http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php.
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 11:19:12 +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 11:29:47 +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 13:23:33 +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 12:19:04 +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 17:02:47 +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