Wrightsville Beach Fishing Report

Hi Folks,

The spring tides and the unpredictable weather have been playing havoc with the fishermen, but in general the fish keep cooperating. From Spanish and blues along the beach to flounder and reds inshore, fishing is very good and it seems as each day goes by another good fishing story comes forth.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Water temps are in the low 70’s. There is plenty of live bait around and consequently that means the targeted fish are around as well. This past week we have caught some nice flounder and some very pretty reds.  Primarily we have fished live menhaden on carolina rigs during the falling tide for reds. For flounder the incoming tide seems to be working best. Right now, for our area, the flounder are small, 2-3 pounds. Look for the bigger flounder to move in soon.

Near Shore: Ocean water is right at 70 degrees. Plenty of Spanish macks are around the inlets and along the beaches in 20-40 feet depths. Clarkspoons on #1 planers have been the go to way to catch them, but be sure to put out a bird rig or two on top. Plenty of nice size blues are mixed in with the Spanish. Also, don’t run too tight a drag as some king macks are in close as well… Nothing worse than that 5 second drag scream and then pop.

Offshore: Bonito and Grouper are biting in the 20 to 30 mile areas. Kings are biting in the 40 mile range.

Gulfstream: Gulfstream fishing continues to be good. Wahoo, mahi, blackfin and African pompano are being caught on a regular basis. I hear the Steeples are producing lots of fish.

Upcoming: Continue to expect improvement in the already good season. More and bigger flounder will show up soon. Cobia will make their appearance any day now, and the kings will be moving in closer and closer. Please check out all the new pics at the photo gallery on my website at www.rodmancharters.com.

Until Next Time….

LET’S GO FISHING!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters (light tackle and fly-fishing, inshore and near shore)
Rod-Man Custom Fishing Rods (from ultra-lite, to fly, to marlin)
407 Fox Wood Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
rodman@rodmancharters.com

http://www.rodmancharters.com
http://www.custom-fishingrods.com
910.520.7661

Hi Folks,

We have been dodging the weather it seems for weeks and weeks. But, on the days we can fish, the swimming critters have been very cooperative. Bluefish, Spanish, reds and a few flounder are biting inshore/near shore. Offshore the kings are biting along with wahoo, blackfin and mahi.

Now here’s my report:

INSHORE: Very nice reds, up to 29 inches have been biting fresh cut bluefish. Several in the 24-26 inch size range have been biting well also. A few flounder are biting as well. Some menhaden have shown up but they are spotty.

Near Shore: Bluefish in good numbers and good size have been biting strong around the inlets and along the beach. Troll for them with deep divers, jig for them with your favorite jig or throw gotcha plugs to catch these choppers. A few Spanish have shown up mixed in with the blues. Most have been caught trolling clarkspoons.

Offshore: Some bonito and false albacore have made brief appearances in the 3-10 mile range. Kings are still further out 25-40 miles.

Gulfstream: Lots of wahoo, blackfin tuna and mahi have been caught by the boats making the bluewater trip.

Upcoming: Look for the Spanish bite to take off any day now. The water temp is in the 67 degree range. In the spring it is fun to catch these fish on Yozuri Deep Diver fished at 3 to 3.4 knots. As it warms up you will need to change to clarkspoons on #1 planers.

Until next time…..
LET’S GO FISHING!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-520-7661