Local Carolina Beach fishing in the month of April

Article by: Capt. Rick Bennett

As we approach April, 2020, with Covid 19 as a backdrop, I am not sure what actual fishing will take place. Hopefully we can all get back on the water sooner than later.

As water temperatures ease over sixty degrees, inshore and near shore fishing starts to expand and by month end explode. Inshore red drum become more prevalent. Look for reds around heavy structure such as docks, rocks and oyster bars. Live bait becomes easier to find, particularly menhaden (poagies). Keep in mind reds do not require live bait. Any oily fresh bait will do nicely, dead or alive whole or chunks. A Carolina rig works very well. Some black drum will still be around and will bite fresh shrimp cut into one-inch pieces.

Venturing off the beach from around three mile out to ten miles the Atlantic bonito will be showing up. This fish becomes the main target from trolling enthusiasts to fly casters to jiggers. They are usually found near structure or large bait balls. Artificial reefs are prime targets if you are looking for bonito in April. They can be caught on fly rods using clousers. You can cast or jig with your favorite spoon. You can troll with clarkspoons or Yozuri deep divers. Bonito are not generally picky. When they hit your lure, you will know it due to the blistering run. Once the run is over then begins the dive and tug fight that doesn’t quit until your net scoops up the fish.

You can certainly release bonito, but before you do remember they are part of the tuna family. Filet them and skin them, cut the deep red section out of the filet and you have two beautiful and tasty strips of meat. Bake them or cut them into chunks and fry them. Add tartar sauce and your favorite beverage and enjoy. Another use for bonito is to cut the white belly into strips for trolling. Many pelagics cannot resist trolled bonito strips, possibly with a skirt in front.

As the moth of April moves on and the water temps rise into the upper sixties, you can expect the Spanish mackerel to start hitting the same baits you have been using for bonito, particularly the trolled ones. One of my favorite trolling methods is the bird rig. Using a light spinning outfit, tie on a small four to five-inch bird. On the end of the bird tie on about seven feet of twenty-five pound test mono and then a 00 clarkspoon. The skipping bird attracts the fish and the flashy clarkspoon cannot be resisted. I use this rig whenever I am trolling clarkspoons. I have caught king mackerel, a cobia once, and even a small sailfish once on this rig.

As May approaches, things really start to heat up and in many different areas. But it’s early April so we can focus on the here and now and get ready for May a little bit later. 

Until then stay safe, have fun and good fishing.

About the Author: Captain Rick Bennett started building custom fishing rods in 1984 and became a licensed charter boat captain in 1996. Adding custom rod building to running charters he became Rod-Man Fishing. Captain Rick Bennett has also been doing fishing seminars for almost 25 years. Known as the Rod-Man, today he’s a guide for folks on their boat showing fishermen the where, how and what for catching fish. Captain Rick Bennett continue’s to build custom fishing rods. You can visit his website here or call Captain Rick Bennett at (910) 520-7661

Capt. Rick Bennett

A lifetime fisherman, Capt. Rick Bennett, better known as the Rod-Man,has retired from the day to day activities as a charter boat captain but does offer “ON YOUR BOAT” Guided Fishing Trips. Capt. Rick will show you the when, the where and the how. From rod and reel selection to terminal tackle to bait, Capt. Rick has the know how.