Hi Folks, We are in full swing with fall fishing. The trout bite has been on fire, the flounder are BIG and the reds are sporadic. When the fish adjust to our first really cool snap, fishing should explode. Now here's my report:
Inshore: Trout fishing is fantastic. While fishing with Wayne and Dave during the Cape Fear Red-Trout Tournament we caught 13 trout and had a nice surprise of a 5.25 pound flounder...all on artificials. We were pretty high on the leader board but for several reasons, including the weather, we did not fish the second day of the tourney. Reds are biting, but you have to hunt for them. The big flounder are definitely biting.
Near Shore: Just before this cool snap, the big spanish were providing hot action with a lot of nice blues mixed in with them. Look for the spanish to boogie on south as the water temps go down. The gray trout bite and bluefish along with some bonito and false albacore should keep you busy just off the beach.
Hi Folks,
It is past time for a report, but I was trying to wait until I could give you something more positive. It seems the weather has a longer time in mind, so I thought I would go ahead and bring you up to date. The persistent NE winds and now the strong low pressure have really put a stop to fishing. The fish are there, but it is just not comfortable to get out in 20-40 knot winds to fish. When the wind does settle we will be in full fall fishing and look for the fish to be hungry. Founder, reds and trout should be biting.
Now here's my report: Inshore: We have gotten out a couple of times in the past week and have had some good luck with reds and flounder. Look for this trend to explode when things calm down. Near Shore: I have not been in the ocean in two weeks. I do know of a couple of cobia catches. I figure a few spanish have been around, but expect they may be gone by the time the ocean settles down. We may have one more run, but it is more likely that w... [Read More]
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... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
It's raining here at the coast and since I cannot go fishing, I can at least talk (write) about fishing.While the story this year has been the spanish mac bite, some big reds have been showing up in the last week. I took a day off yesterday and took a kid fishing (my 38 year old daughter) and we caught a flounder and two nice reds. Earlier in the last week one customer caught a 33" red...nice.
Now here is my report:
Inshore: Redfish and flounder are biting finger mullet. The mullet are virtually everywhere in large numbers, so finding bait should be no problem. Use a carolina rig and the appropriate size egg weight and fish the docks and deep holes for best results.
Near Shore: Spanish and more spanish...all you want and any way you want. Cast to them, troll for them or even fly fish for them. Cast with small Maria jigs; troll with 00 clarkspoons fished with #1 planers and 30-35' 25# leaders; fly fish with small flies in yellow or chartreuse... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
Water temps inshore are in the mid 80's and off the beach the low 80's. That simply means fish in deeper spots. Inshore that can mean 8' instead of 3' or in the ocean, 45' instead of 15'. We have had a very good past week doing just that; catching spanish macs in 40 feet or more and reds in 8 feet instead of the usual 3-4 feet.
Now here's my report:
Inshore: Finger mullet have shown up in very large numbers and the redfish have been biting hard. We caught 5 yesterday. Be sure to see the pics at http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingphotos/main.php.
Some nice flounder are biting in the deeper holes near the inlets. Best fishing has been on live bait fished on carolina rigs.
Near Shore: During the past week we have some huge schools of spanish mackerel in the area and some nice kings have been mixed in with them. Planers and bird rigs have worked for trolling and Maria jigs have done well for sight casting. Slow trolling with cigar minnows has produc... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
The high swell from Bertha has taken its toll on fishing beyond the inlets this past week. Add to that the recent rains mucking up the inshore fishing and it has been somewhat of a difficult week. We have managed to catch a few fish though, mostly reds and flounder inshore. Things should be settling down rapidly and the weekend looks good. Now here's my report:
Inshore: We are catching some nice flounder in the inlets and the creeks. Action has come on live bait and strip bait fished on carolina rigs. Reds are hanging around the ICW dock and up the creeks with the best bite on the falling tide.
Near Shore: Spanish have been biting here and there, but the swell has slowed the bite. Look for the action to pick back up today or tomorrow. It's hot so clarkspoons fished deep on #1 planers is the way to go. Just before the swell got here we had some nice king mac action in the 5 mile area.
Offshore: Look for kings, amberjack, barracuda and mahi, along w... [Read More]
Hi Folks, I hope everyone had a nice 4th and many of you had the opportunity to get on the water. It was a really nice weekend. Fishing has entered the summer routine. That is the weather is hot everyday and the fishing is hot every other day...or at least it seems that way.
Now here's my report:
Inshore: Redfishing has been pretty good with a good amount of the fish taken on topwater lures. Still catching fish on live and dead bait around ICW and creek docks. Best fishing is on the falling tide. The flounder bite has been good if a little inconsistent. The days they bite well we are catching some very nice fish. Live menhaden have worked best.
Near Shore: Spanish mackerel have been another hit or miss fish just lately. Best bite is on #1 planers and 00 clarkspoons. A few tarpon have been spotted. Kings have been caught as close as 5 miles off the beach.
Offshore: There has been a strong bite of kings and some mahi in the 10-15 mile areas. Live menhaden have... [Read More]
Hi Folks, We have had a few days of breezy weather but not real bad, and things have calmed back down shaping things up for a nice holiday weekend. I had a day off yesterday and enjoyed some early morning topwater action with redfish.
Now here's my report:
Redfishing has heated up and fish are biting very well. Live bait has moved into the area and the reds seem to like it. Flounder are doing well near the inlets and some are biting in Snow's Cut and the river. A few big bluefish in the 6 pound range have been terrorizing live bait in some of the creeks.
Near Shore: Spanish mackerel are the big bite here. Trolling with clarkspoons and bird rigs or casting with small jigs has been producing very nice catches.
Offshore: Kings are biting well in the 8-10 mile areas as well as further out in the 18 to 25 mile spots. Mahi have moved in closer and are mixed in with the kings. I like pink and blue Bluewater Candy Feather Weight skirts to attract mahi. Live bait, dead... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
Fishing has pretty much been on fire this past week. Spanish mackerel head the list with reds a close second. We even caught a nice king on a 1/4 oz. "Maria" jig. Please see the photo gallery on my website for all the pics.
Now here's my report:
Inshore: Redfishing has heated up and fish are biting very well. Live bait has moved into the area and the reds seem to like it. Flounder are doing well near the inlets and some are biting in Snow's Cut and the river. A few big bluefish in the 6 pound range have been terrorizing live bait in some of the creeks.
Near Shore: Spanish mackerel continue to be the big bite here. Trolling with clarkspoons and bird rigs or casting with small jigs has been producing very nice catches. Beware: kings have moved in with all the bait and may hit your lure or jig!
Offshore: Kings are biting well in the 8-10 mile areas as well as further out in the 18 to 25 mile spots. Live bait, dead bait and even GULP cigar m... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
Whew, what a week, plus. We have been fishing everyday and catching too. Flounder, reds and spanish have been our main catches, but lots of other fish are biting as well.
Now here's my report:
Inshore: Flounder are biting at the usual spots near the inlets and in the waterway. The river is also producing some nice fish. Live menhaden on carolina rigs work well but don't hesitate to use GULP SW and a jig head. They catch fish too. Reds have been biting on the falling tide in the ICW and the creeks. chunk bait (any oily fish) will get the job done.
Near Shore: Spanish mackerel are THE bite. Possibly the best spanish bite in many years. Clarkspoons trolled on planers and bird rigs, casting jigs and gotchas...all bringing in nice spanish. Just check out the photo gallery too see. A few cobia have been biting just outside the inlets and near the AR's further out.
Offshore: The kings are biting from 10 miles out to 25 miles along with some mahi from 15 miles out to 25 mi... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
Spanish mackerel fishing is as hot as it gets. Undoubtedly the best spanish fishing in years is happening now. Planers with clarkspoons, bird rigs with clarkspoons and casting with jigs....all are catching nice spanish along the beach.Catching a limit is predictable, but use good sense and conserve.
Inshore: The flounder bite is doing well although the fish are particular about the tide and it seems bait too. Best fishing has been on the incoming tide and the beginning of the falling tide. Best bait has been live menhaden, but if you cannot get the live bait, try GULP on a 1/4 oz. jig. Bait is getting better and better inshore and the reds are showing up with it.
Near Shore: Spanish, spanish and more spanish is the bite! A few cobia are being spotted, but catches are few as yet. Large blues are still around.
Offshore: Kings are biting best around 18-25 miles. Some mahi are biting in the 20-25 mile areas.
Gulfstream: Gulfstream fishing is producing wahoo and... [Read More]
Hi Folks and Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Two things of importance: looks like we are going to have a pretty nice weekend and the fish are biting. I had a really nice couple today, fishing on their anniversary (her choice and what a lucky guy). We caught four flounder and one redfish.
Now here's my report: Inshore: The flounder are biting pretty well in the inlets and the river Live menhaden has been the best bait and the incoming tide worked well for us today. Redfish are start to show but better numbers are coming just around the corner so to speak.
Near Shore: Some cobia sightings have been reported. Big chopper blues and "normal" size blues are biting well and the spanish bite is good as well.
Offshore: From the 12 mile areas to the Tower, the king mack bite is good. Favorite spots are the Schoolhouse and the 23 mile rock.
Gulfstream: Big mahi, wahoo and a few tuna have been reported. Some billfish activity is also happening.
Hi Folks,
It has been an interesting week with various degrees of good and bad. The bad came on weather days that were much less than optimum and the good came on those rare light and variable wind days that seem to be farther and farther apart. Yesterday was absolutely the prettiest day thus far this year. Unfortunately, the rest of the week and weekend does not look very good...high winds and rainy.
Now here's my report:
Inshore: Fishing has been good one day and slow to stopped the next. This is fairly typical in the spring and totally unpredictable. On the good days we did have some nice action on reds and blacks. Best bait has been shrimp fished on a carolina rig with a #2 wide bend hook. The live bait is starting to show up and look for the flounder bite to kick off hard soon.
Near Shore: We are still having good catches of bonito and the first big spanish of the season have arrived. We caught two yesterday in the 3+ pound range. Best near shore bait right... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
This weekend brought some nice weather and gave us the opportunity to get out and chase some bonito. The good news is there are bonito out there and more.
Now here's my report: Inshore: Reds and trout are biting in the inlets, the ICW and the river. Best baits right now are GULP SW and fresh shrimp or cut bait. A few flounder are starting to show up...a bit on the smaller size.
Near Shore: Bluefish are just about everywhere. Catch-em trolling Yozuri Deep Divers or jigging with you favorite jigging spoon. Bonito are around and the best method right now is trolling: you can do this two ways; try trolling Deep Divers and 3-3.4 kts. or use clarkspoons on planers at 5-6 kts. The deep divers are more sporting.
Offshore: The kings are getting closer...25-30 miles. Bottom fishing for grouper in the 30-40 mile range is good.
Gulfstream: I have received reports of great mahi catches with some yellowfin and blackfin tuna added to the catch. Wahoo... [Read More]
Everybody knows March went out like a lion and as yet it hasn't stopped roaring very much. High winds have hampered fishing effort and fish catching. The good news is it is still early and it looks like we are about to have a pretty good stretch of weather.
Now here's my report:
Inshore: Puppy drum and a few small flounder are biting on the low tide around the inlets, ICW and creeks. I haven't seen a black drum as yet, but they will surely show up soon....maybe on today's trip.
Near Shore: I have been "told" that the bonito are out at the liberty ship, but high wind and seas have thus far prevented me from seeing for myself. This may change as soon as tomorrow or Friday based on the wind predictions.
Offshore: No reports.
Gulfstream: No reports.
Just a word about my new boat: other than a few days of strong puppy drum fishing, the only thing I can make a strong statement about this year is my new fishing platform. M... [Read More]
Hi Folks,
Although the recent cold front put a slight damper on things, for sure the spring fishing has busted wide open over the last few days. Over the weekend we had 3 consecutive days of double digit redfish catches. The fish were small, 17-18 inches, but very nice to catch on light tackle.
What made fishing even more enjoyable was my new Power Pole. Folks this is the real deal. Ease up to your fishing hole in under 8' of water and push a button and you are anchored. No ropes, no chains, no heavy anchors and no cold wet hands. When you are ready to leave, just push the button and up comes the pole.
Now here's my report:
Inshore: The redfish bite is excellent. You can catch these feisty fish on Gulp SW rigged on a 1/4 oz. jig head or on fresh cut shrimp fished on a carolina rig with a 1 oz. weight. The best bite is on falling water and on the docks in the ICW and the creeks. Bluefish are also biting around the inlets. A few specks are around for those willing t... [Read More]
Hi everyone,
Spring is just around the corner and the fishing is set up to come with it. Make sure all your gear is in order and ready to go. Here's what is happening now:
Inshore: Large schools of specks are around but a bit sluggish when it comes to biting. A few more degrees of water temperature and they will be chomping. Red drum are patrolling the beaches and you can sight cast to them on a sunny day when the water is clear.
Nearshore: Some bottom fishing and the ever present dogfish (spiny dogfish shark) are around. False albacore sightings have been reported. Look for the bluefish to move in any day and right behind them will be the bonito.
Offshore: Very good bottom fishing awaits the hardy. Nice grouper and black sea bass are waiting for your bait.
Gulfstream: I have reports of a good blackfin bite happening and some nice wahoo too.
Take a moment to look at my new Nautic Star boat on my home page at... [Read More]
I just returned from the Greensboro Expo where I met a lot of new folks and shook hands with many old friends. The show was very good and I am looking forward to the Raleigh Expo this coming weekend. Hope to see many of you there.
At the Greensboro Show, I ordered my new boat. For 2008 and beyond I will be running a 24' Nautic Star Bay Boat with a 250 HP Yamaha 4 stroke motor. This boat has so many nice features they are too may to list. I hope to take delivery in late February. I will post a pic of it soon. Come visit me at the Raleigh Show and I'll show it to you in the Nautic Star catalog, and better yet take you to see one like it at the Chatlee Marine boat booth.
With the recent cold snap, I have not heard any recent fishing reports. Then again with the more recent warm days we have had, I would not be a bit surprised if the specks were biting. I do know that large whiting are biting fresh shrimp in the river. (a man without a boat is... [Read More]
Hi Folks: Late fall fishing is pretty darn hot. We have had some of the best weather of the year and the fish have responded. Even though the fishing is great, I have taken my boat out of the water for the season. I am now very busy preparing for the boat shows and fishing schools….more on that later.
Now here’s my report:
Inshore: Trout fishing has been exceptional. Many, many citation trout have been caught and weighed in at the various citation locations. Some of the best fish have been caught at the inlets. Trout are biting live shrimp when you can get them. Also, they are biting well on GULP SW. I usually like the 3″ shrimp in New Penny, but with the cooler water I am looking for a little more action on the bait, so I like the 3″ or 4″ swimming mullet which looks like a curly tail. The scent with the tail action drives the trout crazy. Fish them on a 1/4 to 3/8 oz. Saltwater Assassin lead head. Also inshore, the bigger bluefish in the 3+ pound ra... [Read More]
Hi Folks, I should be out trout fishing, but there are just too many things to do. One of which is to bring you up to date on some new things happening for Rod-Man Charters in 2008.
But first, a brief fishing report;
Inshore: Trout are biting on artificials and live shrimp at the jetties and the creeks and channels. It seems some of the best bites are at night…not unusual for trout. Some reds and blacks are biting at the jetties.
Near Shore: The blues are still biting. Albacore are hanging around. Just look for the birds.
Offshore: Warm temps are keeping the kings around. Just go fish where there is a nice temperature break and the water hits 68+ degrees.
Gulfstream: No reports…but I bet the blackfin are biting.
New for 2008: You can expect the same hard working, friendly atmosphere as always. Yet, we will be changing boats for 2008. My Sea Pro is one excellent boat, but I have been made an offer on a new boat that I do not want to turn down. No it’s not free, but it... [Read More]
Hi Folks, fall fishing is definitely here! Weather has been an issue on some days, mainly wind and fronts, but that is to be expected. We have seen the start of the trout bite and that should only improve, especially after this cold snap. Live bait is hard to find, but no worries. Recently, I had a trip without live bait and we went up a creek and used GULP SW shrimp in New Penny color on ¼ ounce jigs. We caught reds and flounder (see the pics below or on my website under this week’s fishing report.
Now here’s my report:
Inshore: Trout are biting. GULP, mirrolures, live bait if you can find it; all are catching trout. Best bites have been very early in the morning and at high and low tides. Reds have been spotty this week, but this is the time of year when they move to the ocean and patrol the beaches. Still catching some flounder. Blues (big ones) are biting in the inlets.
Near Shore: Bluefish are just about everywhere. Al... [Read More]
Hi Folks, I am trying to be more punctual with my reports. Fishing is good to great, depending on if you are in or out of a rain shower. Reds, flounder, trout, Spanish, blues, kings; all are biting.
Now here’s my report:
Inshore: Red fishing is on fire right now with the best bite on the falling tide. We are using topwater, GULP and if we have to…live bait. Trout and large flounder are biting in the river and with the cool down early next week, we should get some good trout fishing everywhere.
Near Shore: In close the blues in the 2+ pound range have been in the inlets on the full tide. Spanish have been jumping from the beach out 4 miles. Catch them sight casting with the Boone Squid spoon. You can find these at Bug-Em Bait. Kings have shown up in good numbers from the beach out 10 miles; live bait, dead bait or GULP cigar minnows or GULP squid will catch you a limit. False albacore are biting jigging/casting spoons around the 7 mile range.
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 showin... [Read More]
Hi Folks, The temperatures while not cool have moderated. The persistent northerly winds combined with the moderate temps have begun the fall fishing season. It’s only started and the best is yet to come. This will be the time of the year to catch trophy trout, reds and flounder on our favorite artificial bait…GULP SW. I have stocked up and I am ready to go catch them.
Now here’s my report:
Inshore: Redfish are biting well on the falling tide. Best spots are the inlets, the docks on the waterway and the creeks. The flounder bite is steadily improving with the most and best fish in the ocean near the artificial and natural reefs. Jigging GULP on the bottom or fishing live bait will catch these fish. Trout are biting in the river on the rising tide.
Near Shore: We have had a ball this year shark fishing and releasing all we have caught. We have seen some beautiful sharks including but not limited to: blacktips, dusky, bull, hammerheads, lemon and spinners. The spanish bite... [Read More]
Hi Folks, The weather is still hot, but we are already seeing some signs of “fall fishing” activity. The finger mullet population is one of the biggest I have seen. Some big spanish mackerel have moved in and the flounder bite keeps improving. Big reds have been patrolling the nearshore reefs. The Rod-Man, along with daughter Kathy and son Ricky, fished the local first annual Wolfpack “Back the Pack” tourney and we took home the largest spanish mackerel (female angler) and the largest flounder (male angler) plaques and a lot of fond memories.
Now here’s my report:
Inshore: Some nice flounder have been biting on the rising tide in the inlets and the river. Reds are biting on the falling tide in the ICW and the inlets. Some nice blues are biting at the inlets on the flood tide.
Near Shore: We have had some very good days with spanish this past week. Clarkspoons on bird rigs and #1 planers have been working very well. Nice flounder and a few gray trout are hanging around the AR’s.... [Read More]
10-22-2008 09:41 AM
