Wrightsville Beach Fishing Report

Hi Folks,
Well, we survived TS Hanna. She churned up the water a bit, but on the good side, it looks like the mullet run has started. I just put the boat back in the water Monday and fished yesterday with poor results. I expect that to change rapidly. Prior to the storm, fishing was very good with spanish mackerel heading the list followed by reds and flounder. With good weather, look for a great fall fishing season. I offer the pre-Hanna report below:

Inshore: Big flounder as well as big reds are being caught on live bait in the inlets, the creeks, and the ICW. With finger mullet plentiful, it is the natural bait and should be fished on a carolina rig.

Near Shore: Spanish mackerel are biting on clarkspoons with number one planers and bird rigs. Best fishing has been in 35-45 feet of water. Some small king mackerel have been mixed in with the spanish. Be sure to observe the 24″ minimum on the kings.

Offshore: King mackerel have been biting well from 10 to 25 miles out. As the water cools look for the bigger fish to move closer to the beach.

Gulfstream: No reports.

A second reminder: my email address has changed. The new address is rodman@rodmancharters.com. Please make a note of it.

Be sure to check my photo page for new pics of customers catching some nice fish.
http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php
Until next time,

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

Hi Folks,
When we are not catching spanish we are fighting some pretty nice red drum on lite tackle. Spanish macs have been the fish of this season thus far, but we cannot forget our popular inshore friends the reds, flounder and trout. Fall fishing is just around the corner and all three will be chomping.

A note for your address book. I am changing my email address to rodman@rodmancharters.com. please make a note or change in your address book. Thank you.
Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Red drum continue to supply a lot of action. Best bait is finger mullet fished on carolina rigs around heavy structure. Large flounder are biting near the inlets and the cut. Same bait, same rig for flounder.

Near Shore: Spanish macs continue to produce big catches. I have the best luck with #1 planers and 00 clarkspoons on 35′ 25# leaders. I also use a bird rig on top with a spinning rod.

Offshore: The king bite continues to do well in the 10-25 mile range with still some mahi and a few sails in the mix. Slow trolling with live menhaden, ballyhoo and cigar minnows will do the trick.

Gulfstream: A small marlin, only 1228 pounds, was caught off Oregon Inlet recently. Congrats to the captain and crew.

I am happy to announce a new sponsor. Island Tackle and Hardware, located in Carolina Beach has joined the Rod-Man Team. They will be at our 2009 Fishing School offering great deals on all the best tackle. Be sure to stop in and check out their store. They are expanding by over 50% and the expansion should be complete within two months in time for holiday shopping. Welcome Dennis and Wanda and staff.

Time is flying and soon we will be in the middle of fabulous fall fishing and then we will be in boat show season and my fishing school in Raleigh on February 28, 2009. Stay tuned for all the details. Just a hint, with everything going up in price I have decided to REDUCE the price of the best fishing school in North Carolina. More later.

Its time to gear up for fall. Check out Bug-em Bait and Island Tackle for all your needs. Until then,

LETS GO FISHING
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120