Wrightsville Beach Fishing Report

Hi Folks and Happy New Year for 2008!

I just returned from the Greensboro Expo where I met a lot of new folks and shook hands with many old friends. The show was very good and I am looking forward to the Raleigh Expo this coming weekend. Hope to see many of you there.

At the Greensboro Show, I ordered my new boat. For 2008 and beyond I will be running a 24′ Nautic Star Bay Boat with a 250 HP Yamaha 4 stroke motor. This boat has so many nice features they are too may to list. I hope to take delivery in late February. I will post a pic of it soon. Come visit me at the Raleigh Show and I’ll show it to you in the Nautic Star catalog, and better yet take you to see one like it at the Chatlee Marine boat booth.

With the recent cold snap, I have not heard any recent fishing reports. Then again with the more recent warm days we have had, I would not be a bit surprised if the specks were biting. I do know that large whiting are biting fresh shrimp in the river. (a man without a boat is like a fish out of water)

After this weekend, I’ll be getting ready for the Richmond Expo, new for the Rod-Man this year. Then on February 9 my first fishing school for the year occurs in Raleigh at the State fairgrounds. Registrations are coming in fast now and if you are interested be sure to register soon. I have to cut registrations off about one week before the school to let the caterer know the final number. You can find all the details at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm.

Registrations for the Wilmington School are also coming in rapidly. The school is March 1 and will mirror the Raleigh School.

I am really excited about 2008. A new boat is always nice. Adding my son to the business part-time is just great. The fishing schools are something I have always enjoyed and another new feature, rod building classes is taking off well too. I guess if it has to do with fishing, I really like to do it. I am very lucky to be able to follow a dream and after 25 years of being a banker, it is hard to believe that the dream is going into its 12th year.

Ok, that’s all for now. Again, I hope to see many of you in Raleigh. I will keep you posted on the new boat…and by the way, I am booking charters for 2008.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

1-888-5RODMAN

Hi Folks: Late fall fishing is pretty darn hot. We have had some of the best weather of the year and the fish have responded. Even though the fishing is great, I have taken my boat out of the water for the season. I am now very busy preparing for the boat shows and fishing schools….more on that later.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Trout fishing has been exceptional. Many, many citation trout have been caught and weighed in at the various citation locations. Some of the best fish have been caught at the inlets. Trout are biting live shrimp when you can get them. Also, they are biting well on GULP SW. I usually like the 3″ shrimp in New Penny, but with the cooler water I am looking for a little more action on the bait, so I like the 3″ or 4″ swimming mullet which looks like a curly tail. The scent with the tail action drives the trout crazy. Fish them on a 1/4 to 3/8 oz. Saltwater Assassin lead head. Also inshore, the bigger bluefish in the 3+ pound range have been biting at the inlets.

Near Shore: The reds are patrolling the sloughs along the beach. Live bait, dead bait and of course GULP SW will catch these fish. Just remember to slow your bait down. Colder fish move slower…until hooked. Nice sized whiting are biting on the beach…as well as in the river. Fresh shrimp is a must.

Offshore: I have received many reports of great grouper fishing. Grouper fishermen keep their fishing spots so secret it would make a trout fisherman blush. But, figure on the fish holding on the ledges in the 15 to 30 mile areas. There have been many reports of bluefin tuna around theTower and the Fairway Buoy. Kings are at the 68-79 degree water break.

Gulfstream: Backfin tuna, wahoo, king mackerel and a few sailfish have been providing the action in the stream. We have had some nice weather to make the trip.

Just a quick reminder on my fishing schools; Raleigh, February 9 and Wilmington, March 10. Registrations are coming in and seating is limited. Please register early to insure your seating at the best fishing school in NC. Here’s the link: http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm.

I hope to see many of you at the Greensboro Bass and Saltwater Expo, January 4-6; and at the Raleigh Bass and Saltwater Expo, January 11-13. I have lots of discounted custom rods and will be doing some seminars as well. Please drop by and say hello.

Finally, this is most likely my last report for 2007. I want to thank my sponsors for their support throughout the year: Chatlee Marine, Pure Fishing (Berkley), Okuma, Saltwater Assassin, Minn-Kota, and of course Bug-Em Bait. I have said it before, but one last time for 2007: I use these companies and their products because they are the BEST. And most of all I want to thank you, my customers and friends, for helping make this, 2007, a wonderful year for the Rod-Man.

Happy Holidays Everyone,
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

PS: If anyone wants a great boat…priced to sell…let me here from you.