Inshore: Trout fishing is fantastic. While fishing with Wayne and Dave during the Cape Fear Red-Trout Tournament we caught 13 trout and had a nice surprise of a 5.25 pound flounder…all on artificials. We were pretty high on the leader board but for several reasons, including the weather, we did not fish the second day of the tourney. Reds are biting, but you have to hunt for them. The big flounder are definitely biting.

Near Shore: Just before this cool snap, the big spanish were providing hot action with a lot of nice blues mixed in with them. Look for the spanish to boogie on south as the water temps go down. The gray trout bite and bluefish along with some bonito and false albacore should keep you busy just off the beach.

Offshore: I have heard many reports of kings from 10-25 miles out. Remember as long as the water is 68, there is a good chance kings will be around.

Gulfstream: Persistent NE winds have prevented the usually fall trips. It is time for a big wahoo bite as well as tuna.

The Annual Rod-Man Fishing School is launched on my website. The school date is February 28, 2009 at the Raleigh Fairgrounds, Gov. Marin Bldg. You can view the details at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2009-annual-fishing-school.htm I do want to point out in this time of rising prices, I have REDUCED my school price. You get some coffee and doughnuts, a catered lunch, door prizes galore and all the fishing knowledge you can handle in one day for only $75. This class is sure to fill up so register soon so you won’t be left out.

Be sure to check out this weeks pick of the week at http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingreports/ Other new photos can be seen at the photo gallery http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php

Any questions, feel free to call and until next time….

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

  

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

  

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

  

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

  

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

  

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

  

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

  

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

  

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

  

Everybody knows March went out like a lion and as yet it hasn’t stopped roaring very much. High winds have hampered fishing effort and fish catching. The good news is it is still early and it looks like we are about to have a pretty good stretch of weather.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Puppy drum and a few small flounder are biting on the low tide around the inlets, ICW and creeks. I haven’t seen a black drum as yet, but they will surely show up soon….maybe on today’s trip.

Near Shore: I have been “told” that the bonito are out at the liberty ship, but high wind and seas have thus far prevented me from seeing for myself. This may change as soon as tomorrow or Friday based on the wind predictions.

Offshore: No reports.

Gulfstream: No reports.

Just a word about my new boat: other than a few days of strong puppy drum fishing, the only thing I can make a strong statement about this year is my new fishing platform. My Nautic Star 24 Bay Boat from Chatlee Marine in Sanford is totally awesome. The 101 pound thrust Minn-Kota trolling motor has put me on the fish quietly and the Power Pole from Tex’s Tackle is the greatest invention for inshore boating….possibly ever. Quietly approach the fishing ground and then push a button and you are anchored, securely and quietly. I can honestly say if you are an inshore fisherman, you need/want a Power Pole. You can see how one operates on my boat or drop by Tex’s Tackle for a demo. In addition to these electronic marvels my boat has superior seating for comfort and safety and two large casting platforms, forward and aft.

That’s all for this week. Until next time,

Let’s Go Fishing !!!!

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