It’s been a while and I apologize. I have been busier than usual and have neglected telling you about all the fish that are biting. What would you like to catch? Flounder and reds… their biting. Spanish macks… their biting. Kings and mahi… their biting. There are even some sailfish around and I haven’t gone out of the sight of land yet! Be sure to check out the new pics on my photo page. Now here’s my report:

Inshore: I have never seen so much bait. Menhaden are just about everywhere and they make the best bait for reds and flounder. Reds are biting on the ICW docks and in the creeks on the falling tide. Catch them with menhaden fished on a carolina rig. Some of the fish are pretty big so use a stout MH rod and strong braid line. Be sure to release anything over 27 inches and only one per person my be kept. A good flounder bite continues with some nice 5-8 pounders being caught. Again, use a carolina rig and live menhaden.

Near Shore: Lots of nice size spanish mackerel are biting 00 clarkspoons on #1 planers with 30′ of 25# test mono leader. A bird rig works well on calm days too. Best trolling speed is between 5 and 6 kts.

Offshore: But not out of sight of land… kings and mahi are plentiful. Live menhaden slow trolled on double treble king rigs work best. If you prefer fast trolling, you can use small to medium ballyhoo with pink and/or blue skirts. (I like the Bluewater Candy Featherweights). Check out the 22 pound mahi we caught. You can see on my site in This weeks Fishing Report at www.rodmancharters.com

Gulfstream: No Reports… honestly, with all that is biting in close I have not even looked at what might be going on in the stream.

Upcoming: See above; more of the same as long as the weather holds. We are making up for the crazy weather we had in the spring. Water temps right now range between the high 70’s to the low 80’s. As the water warms a bit more, look for flounder to head to deeper water between the inlets to the near shore artificial reefs. Plans are underway already for Rod-Man’s 2010 Fishing School. More to come on that later. Until next time:

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

I know it has been a while since I put out a report, but until recently the weather has been so poor, there just wasn’t much of an opportunity to fish. But at last we have some stable weather and the fishing is outstanding. Inshore there is a strong flounder bite; near shore the spanish are biting very well; offshore the kings are biting; and in the stream the mahi are thick.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Water temps are reaching the mid to upper 70’s and the fishing is just as hot. A very strong flounder bite is going on. Best fishing is with live menhaden on a carolina rig on the incoming tide. Reds are in the creeks and the ICW docks. Same bait as for flounder and the same rig with heavier hooks and leader.

Near Shore: The spanish bite is hot! Clarkspoons fished deep are doing best, but if you find a school try the new “clark caster: by Clarkspoon. The spanish love it. Cobia are biting well near the inlets and the AR’s near shore. Live bait or dead fished on the bottom, just off the bottom and on top will catch these brutes. Chum doesn’t hurt either. I have heard reports of a couple of tarpon sightings and that is early, but hey, we’ll take it.

Offshore: Kings are biting in the 7 to 25 mile areas. You can catch the kings on spoons, on cigar minnows, on live bait; slow troll or fast. Near the offshore AR’s, cobia are hitting live bait.

Gulfstream: Everyone going to the stream are catching mahi and plenty of them. Some wahoo are biting as well.

Upcoming: This is the time of the year when virtually everything is biting…maybe not at the same time, but somewhere the bite is happening. Whether you like the inshore, the near shore, the offshore or the gulfstream, there is something biting hard. It’s time to get on the water.

Anyone looking for a steal on an awesome skinny water flats boat, please email me at rodman@rodmancharters.com. I have a friend selling a 17′ Pathfinder flats boat with all the trimmings. I have fished with him and this rig is terrific. Email for more info and contact info on the seller.

Until next time…..LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

Fishing has been good to excellent WHEN THE WIND HASN’T BLOWN. There have been few of those calm days, but hopefully that will change and we can get into a good rhythm.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Water temps have risen to around 70 and the spring weed is just about gone. Live baits are showing up. All this means it’s time for the reds and flounder to turn on and that is what is happening inshore right now. Best bait is live menhaden fished on a carolina rig.

Near Shore: Near shore fishing has been pretty much on fire when the wind is reasonable; We have had very good catches of spanish, bonito and even some spring kings. Most of the fish are being caught on planers and clarkspoons.

Offshore: The king mackerel bite continues to be strong in the 18-25 mile areas. Live bait, cigar minnows, ballyhoo…all are working well.

Gulfstream: When the boats have gotten out, I have received reports of good catches of wahoo and mahi, along with some blackfin tuna.

Upcoming: The first “In the Water” Rod-Man Fishing School is all set for the first weekend in June and we are looking forward to this big event. We will be doing it again next year, so if you missed out this year, contact me and I will get you on the list for next year. Speaking of June, it is one of our biggest fishing months with almost every specie active. Make plans early to join us for a fantastic fishing trip.

Until next time……

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

Give us a little great weather and we can catch some fish! This past week has provided awesome near shore fishing for blues and spanish. Double digit catches of both were an every day affair. Unfortunately the bonito off Wrightsville Beach have not been so cooperative. Best baits have been jigs and Yozuri Deep Divers.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: You all will be happy to know that the pinfish have shown up…ha! So we have to change baits to catch the black and red drum from fresh shrimp to cut bait and squid. Live bait will work well on the reds.

Near Shore: Blues and spanish RULE! Catch-em jigging, trolling clarkspoons, or trolling Deep Divers. Water is up to right at 67. Look for some spring kings before long and some cobia too.

Offshore: Kings are getting closer. 18 miles and moving in.

Gulfstream: Wahoo and blackfin tuna along with some mahi make up the stream bite.

Coming Up: It’s almost May and the flounder bite is just around the corner. Love to catch those big flatties.

Be sure to check out my page for new photos. Until next time…..

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

Fishing is getting better and better. Inshore water temps are above 65 and near shore water temps are 65. Lots of fish biting now and more to show as the days go by.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Lots of black drum around the docks in the ICW and the creeks. You will find a few reds with them too. So far fresh shrimp cut into 1″ chunks, fished on a carolina rig has done well; but the pinfish are showing up and a more sturdy bait will be needed soon.

Near Shore: Lots and lots of very nice bluefish are biting jigging spoons. A few bonito and a few spanish are also biting. Look for more and more spanish very soon with the water now at 65 degrees. Trolling Yozuri Deep Divers may add to your catch.

Offshore: I have received numerous reports of king mackerel in the 20-25 mile areas. Some false albacore and bonito are mixed in as well.

Gulfstream: No reports received this week, but with the light winds, would expect the wahoo and tuna have been biting well.

Upcoming: While we all thought the season would be slow to start due to the cooler weather, it appears the fish pretty much know when to get it going. Things are starting to explode and look for more explosive fishing every day. Bonito, spanish, flounder all will be going strong. Please check out my latest fish pics: http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php

A few seats remain for my “IN the Water” fishing school. Anyone interested can call me or check it out at my website: www.rodmancharters.com

Until next time then…..

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

Water temps are warming and so is the fishing! We had a good time over the holiday weekend with a bunch of black drum and reds. And …. drum role please…the bonito have shown their stripes. Too rough for the Rod-Man to get out thus far, but some of the bigger boats have reported catches of bonito near shore.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Water temps have warmed to the mid 60’s and the black drum and reds have risen to the occasion. They are biting fresh cut shrimp. I fish for them on a carolina rig.

Near Shore: As mentioned the bonito have started their spring run. Some nice bluefish are biting as well. Both can be had with your favorite jigging spoon or by trolling clarkspoons.

Offshore: I have received reports of king mackerel in the 20-25 mile areas which is a very good sign. Spring kings will be assaulting the near shore areas soon.

Gulfstream: Boats that have been able to make the trip have had good catches of wahoo and tuna (blackfin and yellowfin).

Now if we could just turn that big fan out there down a notch or three….it has been a windy spring.

Upcoming: It will not be long before the spanish mackerel start their migration into our area and we are all looking forward too that time. By mid-May, some flounder should be biting. The first weekend in June brings my new “In the Water” Fishing School. There are still some seats left so check out the details at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2009-inthewater-fishing-school.htm

Until next time…..

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

Time for the Easter weekend fishing forecast. This past weekend was the first weather perfect weekend of the year, and even though we are having a couple of rough days in the middle of this week, it looks like the weekend is shaping up to be nice. It may be a bit breezy, but it will be sunny and seasonable temps will prevail.

The water temps inshore are in the low 60’s while from 3 to 5 miles the temps are running 59.5 to 60.5 as of Sunday. This puts us on the edge of when the fishing will break open…and that could be this weekend.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Redfish and black drum are biting fresh shrimp around the docks and in the creeks. Some specks are biting near the marshy areas near creek mouths and in the creeks. Best baits have been Bass Assassin’s Blurp and Gulp SW shrimp. Fish these baits on jig heads or saltwater spinners.

Near Shore: Look for bluefish and possibly some bonito to show up any day now. The water is getting right. Gray trout should be biting shinny jigs worked up and down near the bottom.

Offshore: False albacore have been reported along with bonito  from 10 to 25 miles out. Also, some nice grouper have been taken vertical jigging in the 40 mile areas.

Gulfstream: Fishing here has been weather dependent. When you can get out, wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin have been providing great action.

Even with a slow start to the season due mostly to weather, things are falling into place and fishing will fire off very soon.

The ultimate Rod-Man “IN the Water” Fishing School schedule for June 5-7 still has some seats left. Only 25 total seats are available, so do not miss this chance to learn form the pros and to go fishing and use what you have learned. you can find all the information at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2009-inthewater-fishing-school.htm

Remember there will be a lot of people on the water this weekend so be careful and make sure you boat and gear are all in good working order. And then……

Lets Go Fishing!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

Has it been a cold winter or what??? The good news is we are starting to get some stabilization in temperatures and the water IS warming. Some fish are biting now and in just days more will show up strong. That’s the way spring is….a day to day change and usually for the better.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore:

Inshore fishing consists of some redfish on the smaller side. They are being caught up the creeks and in the ocean along the beach. Some specks are around as are black drum. The water id still cool, in the mid-50’s, so for specks move your lure SLOWLY. Blacks will bite fresh shrimp chunks.

Near Shore:

Around the near shore AR’s, sea bass and grunts are biting squid and shrimp. Spiny dogfish will be there as well. Expect the bluefish to show up very soon and the Atlantic bonito will not be far behind.

Offshore:

Bottom fish is the name of the game. From 20 to 40 miles, when the weather is right, bottom fishing has been very good. March came in like a lion, so let’s look for it to go out like a lamb!

Gulfstream:

When the boats have been able to get out good catches of wahoo, tuna (yellowfin and blackfin, and mahi have been the reward for going.

River:

The Virginia mullet have shown up and are biting fresh shrimp fished on bottom rigs. In just a couple more degrees of water warmth, the trout should start biting.

It’s been a good winter. We have attended many trade/boat/fishing shows and done a number of fishing schools and seminars. I just got back from the NC Sportsman fishing school and it was a fine school as always. Next up is the WAIT (Women Anglers in Training) school May 2 in Oak Island. This is my first year participating in this event and I am looking forward to it. The Rod-Man in the Water Fishing School June 5-7 is being received well. With a day of classroom and a day of fishing the school is soon to be a sell out. Seating is limited to just 25, so if you have put off your registration, please don’t wait any longer. I had to turn away some people at the February school and hope that is not the case in June, but there is just no way to expand the class. Sign up now!

Hope everyone has their gear ready and anxious to get on the water. Make sure EVERYTHING is working and be safe. Until next time…..

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

A lot of folks have been asking about the fishing this time of year. While I am sure there are days when the fish bite, generally speaking the inshore fishing I do does not produce much this time of year. Look for me to get cranked up in late March and April.
Interest in my fishing school in Raleigh, February 28, 2009 has been outstanding. A few seats remain, so if you are interested, best to let me know as soon as possible. Registration ends February 21.
interest in my ultimate IN THE WATER fishing school to be held June 5,6,and 7 has been outstanding as well. Only 25 seats are available and some of them have been reserved. This school is a day of classroom followed by a day of fishing. It should be awesome. You can find details for all my fishing schools at www.rodmancharters.com.
Hope to see you there.
Until next time…..
Lets Go Fishing!!!

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

Inshore: Trout and drum (red and black) are STILL biting. Falling tide seems to work best. In the river, stripers are biting fairly well around Wilmington.

No reports available on ocean fishing, but hey, this is the time for inshore anyway.

This will most likely be my last report for the 2008 season except for some updates on upcoming events.

Until next year…………………

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