Wrightsville Beach Fishing Report

Hi Folks,

With this report I send a heart felt thanks to all of you who have made 2007 a wonderful year for me. Relatively speaking, it has been a tough year for fishing. The fish have been uncooperative at times and the weather has been the worst I have seen. Nevertheless, we have come through the season intact. For that I am thankful. I hope all of you have many things to be thankful for this holiday season.

 

Recent fishing has been pretty darn good. We have been catching albacore near the inlets, trout in the creeks and as recent as 3 days ago we caught seven flounder. Bluefish are thick and MOST of the pinfish have gone to wherever it is they go when the water cools.

 

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: The best bite has been on trout and some surprising flounder. We have found both these fish in the creeks and the channels. Catch them on GULP or live shrimp. Black drum are hitting fresh shrimp and the whiting bite is happening in the river.

 

Near Shore: False albacore are biting anywhere from just outside the inlets to 10 miles out. They are lots of fun on light spin tackle and will hit a casting spoon retrieved fast. Bluefish are all over the beach and inlet mouths. Many are running 3+ pounds. Be sure to check out my new False Albacore video at http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishing_videos.htm

 

Offshore: Bottom fishing has been very good with grouper being caught within 10 miles. Kings are biting from 20 miles on out.

 

Gulfstream: I have received reports of very good wahoo fishing. Blackfin tuna have been a steady bite. Kings and bonito round out the action in the stream.

 

It’s time to thank my sponsors: Berkley, makers of Fireline and Gulp, just to mention some of their fine products; Chatlee Marine; Okuma; Bug-Em Bait; Bass Assassin (some of the best jig heads in the business); Minn Kota trolling motors and of course my wife who puts up with me. Folks, I don’t just use these companies’ products because they are free or discounted. I use them because I believe they are the best. Try their products and I think you will agree.

 

Just a word on this year’s fishing schools: folks we have the best line up of speakers we have ever had, with loads of new and interesting information. Add to that lots of quality door prizes, free charters and catered lunches and I think we have the best fishing schools in NC. Check out the details at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm. And you can see a recap of last year’s school in the video library.

 

Happy Holiday!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

910-799-6120

Hi Folks, fall fishing is definitely here! Weather has been an issue on some days, mainly wind and fronts, but that is to be expected. We have seen the start of the trout bite and that should only improve, especially after this cold snap. Live bait is hard to find, but no worries. Recently, I had a trip without live bait and we went up a creek and used GULP SW shrimp in New Penny color on ¼ ounce jigs. We caught reds and flounder (see the pics below or on my website under this week’s fishing report.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Trout are biting. GULP, mirrolures, live bait if you can find it; all are catching trout. Best bites have been very early in the morning and at high and low tides. Reds have been spotty this week, but this is the time of year when they move to the ocean and patrol the beaches. Still catching some flounder. Blues (big ones) are biting in the inlets.

Near Shore: Bluefish are just about everywhere. Albacore are on the beaches balling bait. Look for the birds. Still some gray trout around when you can find a calm day.

Offshore: This may be the best year for kings in close in many, many years. Grouper are biting at 10 miles.

Gulfstream: It has been hard to get out to the stream due to winds, but one report coming in noted a good catch of wahoo and kings.

Of interest: The Rod-Man Fishing School is just around the corner. Seating is limited so don’t be left out.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again: try some GULP SW on jigs and catch fish without having to mess with live bait.

Okuma VS reels continue to impress me and my customers. Recently, two customers went fishing with me wearing Okuma hats…now I have to find out where I can get one.

I may be looking for a new boat (wife says I’m never satisfied) this winter. I will be looking at Chatlee Boat and Marine in Sanford. If you are interested in a good custom rigged Sea Pro Bay Boat, contact me.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120