Rod-Man Charters Fishing Report

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

Hi Folks,

Fishing is definitely heating up. Water temps from the 5 mile to inshore are right at the 63-64 mark. There have been good catches of drum inshore, blues on the beach, false albacore around 10 miles and kings 20-30 miles out. Weather is getting more consistent and that will mean more fish.

Now here is my report:

INSHORE: Black drum and some reds mixed in with them have been biting fresh shrimp in the creeks, the inlets and waterway. Best bite is on the falling tide. A few flounder have been caught, but no major bite yet.

NEAR SHORE: Bluefish are biting on the high tide near the inlets and along the beaches. You can catch them jigging or trolling. A couple of more water temp degrees and the first wave of Spanish mackerel should arrive.

OFFSHORE: False albacore and bonito have been reported in the 10 mile area. Kings are still 20-30 miles out.

GULFSTREAM: Weather permitting, boats making it to the stream have had good catches of wahoo, blackfin tuna and African pompano.

UPCOMING: As the water creeps up just a bit look for Spanish macs to make their appearance as well as some bonito. While the blues are biting now, look for some bigger fish to move in soon.

Be sure to check out my new picks (2011) on the photo page.

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