Wrightsville Beach Fishing Report

Hi Folks,
Along with the fishing report below I wanted to wish all a wonderful and happy holiday season. I know times are tough for many, but hopefully we can all find many things for which to be thankful.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Ok, we had a real cold snap, but the rest of the week will be back in the 60′s and 70′s and the fish should still be biting. Look for specks in the river, the inlets and the creeks. Cooler waters mean work your baits “sloooower”. Back drum love cool water as do sheepshead and other bottom feeders. Fresh shrimp (cut) will catch them. Small puppy drum are biting in the ICW and are great sport on light tackle.

Near Shore: Bottom fishing for sea bass on shrimp and squid should be good. A few bluefin tuna are in the area.

Offshore: No reports due to high seas the past week.

Gulfstream: No reports.

Right after the holidays we will be in boat show season and I look forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones as well. I’ll be at the Raleigh, Richmond and Greensboro Expos…all in January.

In February, the Rod-Man Fishing School is scheduled for the 28th at the Fairgrounds in Raleigh. It is not too early to sign up as seating is limited. In addition, the Rod-Man is taking his fishing school to the water in June. We will have classroom instruction one day and a 6 hour fishing trip the second day. We have eight captains lined up for your full fishing pleasure and this should be a memorable experience. Only 25 applications will be accepted and I expect this to sell out fast. Details are too numerous to mention here, but it should be on my website soon. If you want to get a jump on your registration, call me at the number below. I give you the details.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

Hi Folks,
Wow, what wild weather we are having. Yesterday at 4:30 AM it was 36 and by 6:30 AM it was 63! And we caught fish!
Here’s my abbreviated report:

Inshore Fishing: Trout, trout and more trout…. Specks are biting very well. We have been having nice catches of specks in the river, the inlets and creeks. My favorite bait this year (and it seems it changes form year to year) has been the Bass Assassin “Space Guppy” split tail and paddle tail, fished on a 1/4 to 3/8 ounce lead head. I should have a video up on my website soon.

With the few days of warmer weather, the fishing should continue to be excellent for a few weeks to come. Even so, by the first of the year, I will have to pack it in for the season and start gearing up fast for the boat shows and my fishing school.

It has been a wonderful year. I would like to thank those who have fished with me and hope we will have another opportunity in the coming weeks or next season. I have been fortunate to sell a good number of custom fishing rods and to those new friends I say again, thank you. Finally, I want to thank all my sponsors. Folks, these are my sponsors, not because they give me something, but because they are simply the best.

Be sure to check out my photo page for the latest and keep looking for the trout video.

Until next time…..
LET’S GO FISHING!!!

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