Things are heating up fast. One boat reported 18 large Spanish mackerel this week! Inshore fishing is improving daily and with the warm temps this week, fishing should really turn on.

Now here’s my report:

INSHORE: Redfish and flounder are the primary suspects right now. Artificials and live bait will both do the trick. The river, the inlets, the ICW and the creeks have been producing well.

NEAR SHORE: The big Spanish have shown in good numbers. Bluefish are still around and some choppers are biting. There have been a few kings along the beach which is just another sign of how much we are ahead this season.

OFFSHORE: King mackerel are hitting hard at Frying Pan Tower. Schools of false albacore are likely to show up most anywhere.

GULFSTREAM: Nice catches of wahoo, tuna and mahi have rewarded the boats making it to the stream

UPCOMING: Be sure to check out the new photos on my web page at www.rodmancharters.com. The Fisherman’s Post inshore tournament trail for reds and flounder will kick off June 1 and 2 right here in Wrightsville Beach. Check it out at http://www.fishermanspost.com/tournaments/inshore-trail. Again, fishing right now is good and every day is getting better. It’s time to

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-520-7661

I know it has been a very long time since my last report and for that I apologize. I have been very busy fishing with clients in my new “on your boat” guided trips as well as building rods fro folks fromMarylandtoFlorida. But enough of that. After a fast start to spring fishing, the fish have “cooled” down somewhat. Here’s my report:

INSHORE: From Topsail toCarolina beach fishing for reds, black drum and flounder has been spotty. They are around; you just have to hunt them down. TheCape Fear River has probably been more reliable than anywhere else. There have been good catches of trout, reds and whiting in the river on a pretty consistent basis.

NEAR SHORE: The mouths of the inlets are producing huge numbers of bluefish, including some choppers up to 9 pounds. Best fishing time is around the time of high tide and the best method is either trolling with Yozuri Crystal Minnow Deep Divers or jigging with you favorite jigging spoon. (I recommend single hooks for blues) Bonito are biting just off New River inlet and a few have been caught offWrightsvilleBeach.

OFFSHORE: Not too much happening in this zone right now. Some schools of bonito and false albacore are around.

GULFSTREAM:  Good fishing in the steam right now. Wahoo, blackfin tuna, mahi and a few yellow fin tuna are biting well.

UPCOMING: As we get into May, look for more of everything inshore with some bigger flounder showing up. Near shore it will soon be time for a steady run of Spanish mackerel. And, as the waters warm, look for kings to come closer to shore. Hopefully we will have a better year with the kings than last year. So it is time to be ready, because the next big bite is just around the corner and you don’t want to miss it. I don’t that is for sure!

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Cpat. Rick Bennett, www.rodmancharters.com  910-520-7661

With the continued good weather fishing has also continued to get better and better. Looks like we are in for an exciting spring.

Now here’s my report:

INSHORE: This is where most of the action is right now. Redfish are biting in the river, the waterway, the inlets and on the beach. They are biting artificials, cut bait and fresh cut shrimp. A few legal size flounder are biting Gulp Jerk baits. Specks are biting in the river, all and all, a great sign in March.

Near Shore: Bluefish have shown up and can best be found around the inlets at high tide. You can cast or jig your favorite spoon/jig to catch them.

Offshore: A few false albacore have been showing on the surface.

Gulfstream: The best catches are wahoo, tuna and mahi…not bad.

Upcoming: Look for the bigger blues to show up really any day now. The bonito will be here very soon as well. I know it sounds crazy, but I expect a few Spanish to show up within two weeks. Great news for us Spanish lovers. On a personal note, I will be flying off toPanama for some big game sport fishing on Thursday of this week with a good buddy. His target is a Pacific sailfish and mine is a Rooster fish. I hope to be able to share some good fish stories and a bunch of pics with you when I return.

Until Next Time…

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick

“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

Inshore: This is where the action is! Puppy drum are biting very well inside. If you want a trophy trout, now is the time. Black drum are biting. The striper bite is still going on…Wrightsville Beach, the upper Cape Fear and the lower Cape Fear, and the Snead’s Ferry areas are all producing fish.

Upcoming: Look for the blues to show up very soon and the bonito will not be far behind. If the weather holds, this may be one of the best springs in a long time.
Let us book your next fishing trip.
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

rodman@rodmancharters.com

http://www.rodmancharters.com

http://www.custom-fishingrods.com

910.520.7661

This is an unusual mid-winter fishing report. It’s mid-winter, but it feels like early spring and the fishing inshore is HOT! Here we go:

We’ll start in the Cape Fear River with nice catches of stripers in the 3 to 14 pound range. They are hitting DOA soft plastics rigged weedless and shallow running crankbaits. Trout are hitting as well in the river on ¼ oz. lead heads and pink or chartreuse grubs. Best bite is on the falling tide. In the lower river, the reds are biting well on the high tide. If you like to sight cast, now is the time. The water is clear and the fish are there.

In the New River the trout bite is great up in the creeks with fish in the 5-7 pound range. MR-17 and DOA are doing the catching. The reds are in the lower river flats and banks in big numbers in the shallows staying warm and feeding.

Along the beaches the reds are in the surf with schools numbering in the 2-4 hundred fish and most of the fish are in the 6 to 12 pound range. As long as the wind is offshore to knock down the swell it will be happening. You can see the schools rolling right on the beach. Try to time the front passage to get the blue bird skies and offshore winds to get the perfect conditions.

If you can, get out on the water. If you do not have a boat, I have some of the best guides in Southeastern NC waiting to put you on the fish. Give me a call and I will “hook you up’. Please visit my website at www.rodmancharters.com for more info.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!

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

Speckled trout fishing is very good right now and many feel it hasn’t hit its peak yet! High double digit catches of nice fish are common. Other inshore action is very good as well. Offshore the king mackerel bite is on fire. Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Specks galore! Live shrimp and Gulp are about equal in trout landings. In many cases the best bite is on falling water, but don’t hesitate to fish the rising water as well. The important thing with trout is moving water. Red drum action in the river has been pretty awesome as well. Capt Seth from Double Haul Guide Service has had some terrific catches on fly rods in the river. Some sheepshead and ring tail porgies are biting around the jetties.

Near Shore: Some nice red drum and black drum are right behind the breakers. Fresh cut bait and shrimp will get the job done.

Offshore: The king mackerel bite has been awesome in the 20 to 40 mile areas.

Gulfstream:  Boats traveling to the stream have been doing well on wahoo and blackfin tuna.

Upcoming: Inshore trout fishing should continue to get better and better as long as it doesn’t get too cold.

On a personal note, the Rod-Man has made a change in his business pursuits. I am no longer going to be active in day to day chartering. Basically my business will still remain very active in the fishing business. I will be offering “ON YOUR BOAT GUIDED TRIPS”; I will be offering a Charter Booking Service, representing the best captains in the area for: flats boat fly-fishing, inshore fishing, river fishing, near shore fishing, offshore fishing and gulfstream fishing. Rod-Man Charter Booking Service covers from Topsail to Southport, from the shallows to the Gulfstream. Visit www.rodmancharters.com for details or inquire at 910-520-7661. We look forward to serving you in our new capacity. Finally, I will continue to offer my custom made fishing rods. With over 25 years experience in building fishing rods I can make your custom rod a special fish catching instrument. Check us out at www.custom-fishingrods.com

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

It has been a bit breezy and sometimes quite windy, but fall fishing has been superb.

INSHORE the flounder and trout bite have been very good and red drum are around. The trout are biting in the creeks and can be caught on ¼ ounce lead heads with you favorite Gulp bait. Flounder are biting both live bait and Gulp. Reds are primarily biting fresh cut bait or live bait. With all the bluefish around there is no shortage of fresh bait.

NEAR SHORE Plenty of bluefish are biting at the inlets. Red drum in big sizes are biting near the inlet mouths and the near shore reefs. King mackerel have been making a nice showing near the beach. False albacore are sticking their heads up for the fly fishermen and the jig casters.

OFFSHORE plenty of king mackerel have been biting from 7 to 25 miles out. In the GULFSTREAM for those boats able to make the trip, some very nice wahoo are biting along with blackfin tuna and mahi. BOTTOM FISHING for grouper had been very good.

It’s time to get out and fish. Catch a big one…

Capt. Rick Bennett 
Rod-Man Charters (light tackle and fly-fishing, inshore and near shore)
Rod-Man Custom Fishing Rods (from ultra-lite, to fly, to marlin)
407 Fox Wood Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
rodman@rodmancharters.com

http://www.rodmancharters.com
http://www.custom-fishingrods.com
910.520.7661

Boat Update: I have sold my boat. Now I am working on obtaining a new one. It was a good time to sell the old, but I am missing some great fishing waiting on the new. You do not have to wait. Get out on the water with your boat or let me know and I will hook you up with a very good captain. Now here’s my report:

INSHORE: Fall fishing is on fire. Red drum, flounder, and trout: they are all biting. All the usual spots are providing fish. Fish the inlets, the waterway, the creeks and the river. Fish live bait, dead bait and artificials. It’s all happening. My favorite artificial is a ¼ oz. led head combined with a Gulp 4” Baitfish or a 5” Jerk Bait.

NEAR SHORE: Exciting times are just off the beach too. The Spanish bite is still on and producing some very nice fish. Also, there are some very good bluefish biting. King mackerel are cruising the beach and False Albacore are bending some rods as well.

OFFSHORE: Some more kings and false albacore are biting and Frying Pan is producing a smorgasbord of fishes.

GULFSTREAM: The stream is providing good action on wahoo, blackfin and a few yellowfin tuna.

UPCOMING: More and more of the same in the way of fall fishing will continue until it gets too cold, which doesn’t seem a threat in the near future. But, when it does turn cold it will be boat show season and I will be there. I will be posting my schedule for Raleigh, Greensboro, Richmond and Wilmington soon. I am building a lot of my show special custom rods for the boat shows. I hope to provide you with one…or two!

Until next time…

Let’s Go Fishing!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters (light tackle and fly-fishing, inshore and near shore)
Rod-Man Custom Fishing Rods (from ultra-lite, to fly, to marlin)
407 Fox Wood Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
rodman@rodmancharters.com

http://www.rodmancharters.com
http://www.custom-fishingrods.com
910.520.7661

Fishing since Irene has been surprisingly good. Even though I am not currently fishing, I am staying in touch with the other fishermen. Redfish continue to be biting strong in the inlets and the river. Flounder fishing has been pretty strong as well. We are starting to get cooler nights with temps in the mid 60’s, so real fall fishing is almost upon us. While I am trying to sell my boat and looking for a new one, I will have to call in a few favors and get a ride with a buddy. Now here is my report:

INSHORE: Live bait is plentiful and that means reds and flounder. They are both around and biting in good numbers, both in the inlets and the river. It will not be long before some trout start biting.

NEAR SHORE: Spanish mackerel are still around and some tarpon are roaming the beaches. Even a few kings have been caught close to shore. There is a lot of bait along the beach and that is attracting the fish.

OFFSHORE: Most of the fishing is in the 20-25 areas. Look for kings mostly. While not always a good thing, there are a lot of sharks in the area as well.

GULFSTREAM: The Gulfstream is producing wahoo, some mahi and blackfin tuna.

UPCOMING: With my “pending” boat sale I will be on the shopping market, hopefully soon. By the time I sell my rig, buy and outfit a new one, most of my season will be over. While I’ll be looking, I may wait until the boat shows to get the best deal! Back to fishing: October is not far away and in my opinion it is the best month of the year to fish. Almost everything bites in October. So make plans to get in on the action. If you need a charter, give me a call and I will hook you up with one of several first rate captains.

Until Next Time…..

CATCH SOME FISH!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters (light tackle and fly-fishing, inshore and near shore)
Rod-Man Custom Fishing Rods (from ultra-lite, to fly, to marlin)
407 Fox Wood Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
rodman@rodmancharters.com

http://www.rodmancharters.com
http://www.custom-fishingrods.com
910.520.7661

I am sure everyone knows Irene messed things up pretty badly all along the east coast. Fortunately the southeast coast received relatively little damage. Unfortunately, the local waters are a murky mess. The fish will regroup, but it may take a little while. Given the storm’s results and the fact that I have been talking about it all year, I have finally made a bold decision. I am going to sell my boat! The past few days I have had the boat out of the water and been cleaning and such. I feel that it is hard to run charters and sell a boat at the same time. I am going to cease the charter end of my business until I sell my boat and buy a new one. Hopefully that won’t be too long, but I am prepared to sit out the rest of this season if necessary. I will be back with a new ride, the sooner the better. If anyone is looking for an excellent boat, shoot me an email and I will send you a flyer.

I will still be doing the custom rod end of my business and will be at the shows this winter. And, of course I will still post reports from time to time.

Until next time….

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters (light tackle and fly-fishing, inshore and near shore)
Rod-Man Custom Fishing Rods (from ultra-lite, to fly, to marlin)
407 Fox Wood Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
rodman@rodmancharters.com

http://www.rodmancharters.com
http://www.custom-fishingrods.com
910.520.7661