Wrightsville Beach Fishing Report

Hi Folks, Wow it has been too long since I sent out a report. Sorry for that, but have been very busy and took a week vacation in Louisiana. The Louisiana trip with my son was absolutely the best fishing I have ever seen or done. In just three days of fishing we caught over 100 specks and over 70 redfish on artificials. Louisiana prohibited inshore netting many years ago and now they are enjoying the benefits.
While not Louisiana spectacular, local fishing is pretty good as well. Inshore and nearshore fishing is good for reds, flounder and trout. The kings are very hot from right on the beach to 10 miles. Now here’s my report:

Inshore: You can catch reds in the inlets, the creeks and the ICW. Catch them on topwater lures, on GULP ( I like the 3″ shrimp in molting or new penny), or on live or dead bait (fresh) using a carolina rig. Flounder are biting in and near the inlets. Again Gulp works well on a jig head and live finger mullet will get the job done. Bluefish are pretty thick around high tide at the inlets with some very nice spanish mixed in with them. Trout are in and near the inlets.

Near Shore: The big story here is the king mackerel bite. It has been hot hot hot for several days now. From near the beach to out 10 miles very nice kings have been biting most anything from dead cigar minnows to live poagies and everything in between.

Gulfstream: The wahoo bite has been awesome! If you have the boat go get some.

Just a moment on my Louisiana trip. I have already said it was the best ever, but some details are worth mentioning. The water was like coffee in color, yet we caught everything on artificials; trout on GULP, reds on GULP,and reds on Mirrolures (She Dog topwater). The fishing is so much fun it is hard to put into words. We saw seagulls diving out in open water and instead of blues, spanish or bonito, we caught specks under them. They were pushing the shrimp up to the surface and rolling all over them. Unbelievable! In the marsh, when we weren’t sight casting to redfish we were watching the huge schools out of our reach as they cruised the marsh and exploded on bait. At one point in an area the size of a football field we saw eight, that’s right eight large schools of reds! I would love for everyone to come fishing with me in NC, but if you get a chance to go to LA, make the trip and if you need a guide, the best in the state, just let me know and I’ll hook you up with him.

Boat show and fishing school season is just around the corner from our great fall fishing season. Registration for my fishing schools in Raleigh, Feb. 9 and in Wilmington, Mar. 1 is in full swing. Seating is LIMITED and every year we fill up so get your registrations in soon. Details are available at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm

Finally, new for 2008, I will be offering custom rod building schools for small groups of one to six. Details to come soon.

You may check out the LA trip pics in the Photo Gallery at www.rodmancharters.com.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!

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

Hi Folks: Well until recently the weather has been next to lousy in the ocean and it is only somewhat better now. Looks like we will get a couple of nice days before a blow comes in this weekend. But, of course that can change. Inshore fishing is picking up with flounder and reds being the best producers. Some nice albacore were reported just off the beach today. Yesterday we caught some nice flounder and redfish.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: As mentioned the reds and flounder are best bets right now. Plenty of mullet are around for live bait, or you can catch fish on Gulp SW…I like the New Penny Shrimp. As the waters cool look for black drum and sheepshead to bite better and better and of course the trout will be showing up soon.

Near Shore: From day to day there may or may not be some spanish biting, but that has been the scenario for most of the season. As mentioned some albies have shown up. Grays are hanging around the AR’s as are some bigger flounder. Bluefish are showing near the inlets in pretty good numbers and that too should only get better as the water cools.

Offshore: Seas have been pretty rough for several days now and offshore fishing has been limited. I don’t have any reports so I will not make any up. But when things calm down a bit look for kings in the 10 mile range along with some albies and bonito.

Gulfstream: Very few boats have made it out to the stream, but on the couple of fishable days, wahoo have been very active. Again, as the water cools look for the tuna bite to happen.

Fall fishing is getting into full swing. When the weather is cool in the morning and warm at mid-day, it’s time to get out and catch some of the great fall fishing. Don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll tell what is and isn’t biting.

It’s hard to believe, but it is just over 90 days until the boat shows start and a month later my fishing schools in Raleigh and then in Wilmington will be on the calendar. It is not too early to sign up and guarantee your seat. For details: http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm

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