Daily Bible Verse

November 30, 2007

Inside Fishing Report



Hello from Surf City! Just got a fishing report from fishing bud Jim. Jim hasn't had much luck recently, looking everywhere, checking out his favorite holes, and catching nothing. After fishing all afternoon and getting nothing, and he decided to try a little night fishing. "BAM!" Caught two slot red drum. Then a few minutes later, a four pound speck. All the fish bit Gulp Saltwater Shrimp, white. Seems Jim may have hit on something, but I think he is going to give it some more research. Jim, give me a call sometime, and I'll do some research with you. I know it's hard to do all that research by yourself! You can blindfold me until we get to your secret fishin hole. LOL Nice catch Jim. Thanks for sharing.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny


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67253

Jolly Roger Fishing Report

Hello from Surf City! I finally got back to the salt water today. Dad and I fished Jolly Roger Pier. The weather was a little overcast, wind at about 15 to 25 mph, and COLD!!! Dad caught one black drum and then nothing for a couple of hours. The bite started and didn't slow until we left. We kept 16 of the best black drum, and gave the rest away. It was just too cold to clean fish. We also caught two nice chopper blues. The blues are in the fridge marinating with Texas Pete and apple juice. There were several two pound plus whiting caught, and a few small puffers. We lost count of how many baby flounder were caught but the water was full of them. The flounder were all about 8 to 10 inches. We are going back tomorrow am. I will post when we return. Felt good to be on the pier.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny


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November 28, 2007

Rod-Man Fishing Report

Hello from Surf City!
(quote)
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 is a good deal. My new boat will have more seating, more room and the best floor plan I have seen in a bay boat. Until I actually order the boat, I want to keep the make a secret, but you will be hearing me talk about it very soon. As a result of the new boat, it’s official; the Sea Pro is for sale at a price guaranteed to sell fast. Check my announcement page for details.

Also, in 2008 I am proud to announce that we will be bringing on a new Captain to help out with weekend charters. My son, Capt. Ricky Bennett Jr. will be serving your needs many weekends and his fishing ability is sure to put you on the fish. Come meet Capt. Ricky at the Raleigh and Greensboro boat shows. He will also be a featured speaker at my fishing schools.

Finally for 2008, I will be doing something I have longed to do for many years. With the addition of Capt. Ricky to the charter business, it will free up some time for me to teach CUSTOM ROD BUILDING. That’s right; I will be holding one day and two day classes on weekends to teach rod building. The one day class is for teaching the “how to” of rod building and the two day class will allow you to build your own custom rod. I will only be doing small classes from one to four in most cases. If you are interested, please give me a call for details and to schedule your weekend…1-888-5RODMAN.

We are now registering folks for my two Rod-Man Fishing Schools. See the ad in NC Sportsman and save.

As always,
Let’s Go Fishing

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod Man Charters
910-799-6120
(end quote)



Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny



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November 27, 2007

Where Are the Speckled Trout

Hello from Surf City! Again, I want to apologize for the lack of posts recently. Believe me, it's not by choice that I haven't been able to check out and try to verify fishing reports, or even go fishing. Hopefully I will be back out there on a regular basis before the speckled trout quit biting. Oh wait a minute. The specks haven't started biting yet! Well, maybe a few are biting. But it seems that there aren't many biting in the surf. Not like last year anyway. I have a few "unverified" reports of a few anglers getting some really nice specks down south near Jolly Roger Pier, a few more reports from the beach drivers down near the inlet, and the occasional "one of 'em was really big" from anglers around Surf City Pier. But to tell you the truth, I haven't SEEN a keeper trout lately, and I surely haven't caught one. I heard an interesting theory today while I was chatting with other trout seeking anglers with empty coolers. As you may know, we had one of the most successful king fishing years in recent history, with many catches coming a few hundred yards from the beach. Was this influx of a ferocious predator the downfall of our winter trout fishing? Could be, I guess. According to this angler, this happens each time we have a bumper crop of kings. Who am I to say yea or nae? I am certainly not an expert on king mackerel or king mackerel fishing. Any other theories? Or maybe it's just that the weather has been mild, and the water is still relatively warm, and they just aren't in the surf yet?

There are some smallish black drum coming out of the surf today, and some huge sea mullets in the early mornings. And with the water still churning and muddy, I am not surprised. I have caught the largest whiting in rough water.



Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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66980

November 21, 2007

Rod-Man Fishing Report

Hello from Surf City!

(quote)
Hi Folks; with this report I send a heart felt thanks to all of you who have made 2007 a wonderful year for me. Relatively speaking, it has been a tough year for fishing. The fish have been uncooperative at times and the weather has been the worst I have seen. Nevertheless, we have come through the season intact. For that I am thankful. I hope all of you have many things to be thankful for this holiday season.

Recent fishing has been pretty darn good. We have been catching albacore near the inlets, trout in the creeks and as recent as 3 days ago we caught seven flounder. Bluefish are thick and MOST of the pinfish have gone to wherever it is they go when the water cools.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: The best bite has been on trout and some surprising flounder. We have found both these fish in the creeks and the channels. Catch them on GULP or live shrimp. Black drum are hitting fresh shrimp and the whiting bite is happening in the river.

Near Shore: False albacore are biting anywhere from just outside the inlets to 10 miles out. They are lots of fun on light spin tackle and will hit a casting spoon retrieved fast. Bluefish are all over the beach and inlet mouths. Many are running 3+ pounds. Be sure to check out my new False Albacore video at http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishing_videos.htm

Offshore: Bottom fishing has been very good with grouper being caught within 10 miles. Kings are biting from 20 miles on out.

Gulfstream: I have received reports of very good wahoo fishing. Blackfin tuna have been a steady bite. Kings and bonito round out the action in the stream.

It’s time to thank my sponsors. Berkley, makers of Fireline and Gulp, just to mention some of their fine products; Chatlee Marine; Okuma; Bug-Em Bait; Bass Assassin (some of the best jig heads in the business); Minn Kota trolling motors and of course my wife who puts up with me. Folks, I don’t just use these companies’ products because they are free or discounted. I use them because I believe they are the best. Try their products and I think you will agree.

Just a word on this year’s fishing schools: folks we have the best line up of speakers we have ever had, with loads of new and interesting information. Add to that lots of quality door prizes, free charters and catered lunches and I think we have the best fishing schools in NC. Check out the details at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm. And you can see a recap of last year’s school in the video library.



Happy Holiday!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

(end quote}


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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November 20, 2007

At Long Last.......A Fishing Report! Bout Time!

Hello from Surf City! I have finally found time to check some of my sources and gather some fishing reports. Take note, I didn't fish, but it will not be too long that I can get out on the sand, Lord willing. From the surf, large whiting (sea mullets) are being caught on sand fleas, as well as cut shrimp. Really big ones, over two pounds are being enticed into biting a hook baited with LIVE shrimp! There are still some shrimp on the inside, so with a little work, you may not have to buy them. A few, (very few) speckled trout are being caught in the surf. It seems that live shrimp is the bait of choice, with Gulp Saltwater running a close secon. Check with East Coast Sports or Herrings Outdoor Sports for the best colors. The flounder bite in the surf is still good, with a few keepers. I even had a report of flounder biting mirro lures in the night hours. Haven't seen or heard of a spot in quite a while. The puffers should begin showing up soon. Note: I tried puffers in the early spring this year, and found them to be delicious! And contrary to what I have heard before, they are not hard to clean, and a beautiful strip of white firm meat is on both sides of the fishes backbone. Give them a try. Be careful cleaning puffers, I am told that the bladder holds some pretty "sick" stuff and you don't want to contaminate your fish with a bursted or cut bladder.

On the inside (ICW and adjacent waters) the flounder bite is still good. There seems to be more here than in the surf. There are lots of trout around, mostly in the creeks. I can't give any specifics about location (my sources would have me skinned), but look for deeper holes off the ICW and deep water tidal creeks. Try popping corks rigged with shrimp, or float live shrimp just off the bottom. Gulp Saltwater lures are producing as well. Use the Gulp on the lightest jig head you have, or use a carolina rig.

It seems the ocean water in Topsail Bay is cooling more every day. The speckled trout will start showing up at night first, then early morning as more move in. They should be schooling in the surf pretty soon.

Surf City Pier will be closing soon. If you don't have your season pass for next year, you had better get it soon. I'm just reminding you that you can't fish from the pier this winter unless you have a new key. The lock will be changed the day the pier closes, so this years key will not work.

Again, let me apologize for the lack of posts recently, but the time to get out and talk to folks has just been scarce, and I don't like to just post stuff, just to be posting. I am trying to keep the blog as accurate as possible.

Thanks to everyone for their loyalty. Also, thanks for clicking on the advertisements that are on the blog. You don't have to make a purchase, just clicking on the ads helps with the cost of keeping this blog open.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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66266

November 14, 2007

Picture is Worth a Thousand, NO, a MILLION WORDS!




Hello from Surf City! I haven't posted lately. Family responsibilities have kept me pretty busy. But as the Surf City Ocean Pier fishing season is winding down, I am reminded what an inspiration fishing can be. It is better than any medicine, more relaxing than any therapy, and a real Blessing to us all. The picture above says it all. What can be more meaningful than the expressions on the faces of these young anglers! Really, no other caption is needed.

Thanks to Surf City Ocean Pier crew for taking this picture and sharing it on their website.

Check out this picture and more on the Surf City Ocean Pier website.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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November 8, 2007

Spots?

Hello from Surf City! It seems that the spots have disappeared. They are not biting on the piers or the surf. Sea mullets are biting a little better, but the bite doesn't seem to be as good as it was this time last year. Kings are history, and so are the spanish. The water temp is about 66 degrees. Specks should be in the surf anytime. Go gettum and Good Luck!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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65056

November 7, 2007

Kings at Surf City Pier

Hello from Surf City!
So far this year, 223 kings caught from Surf City Pier!




Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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64943

Rod-Man Report November 7, 2007

Hello from Surf City!
Rod-Man Report November 7, 2007



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:

Rod-Man Report November 7, 2007

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. Albacore are on the beaches balling bait. Look for the birds. Still some gray trout around when you can find a calm day.

Offshore: This may be the best year for kings in close in many, many years. Grouper are biting at 10 miles.

Gulfstream: It has been hard to get out to the stream due to winds, but one report coming in noted a good catch of wahoo and kings.

Of interest: The Rod-Man Fishing School is just around the corner. Seating is limited so don’t be left out.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again: try some GULP SW on jigs and catch fish without having to mess with live bait.

Okuma VS reels continue to impress me and my customers. Recently, two customers went fishing with me wearing Okuma hats…now I have to find out where I can get one.

I may be looking for a new boat (wife says I’m never satisfied) this winter. I will be looking at Chatlee Boat and Marine in Sanford. If you are interested in a good custom rigged Sea Pro Bay Boat, contact me.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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November 3, 2007

SPOTS!

Hello from Surf City! Spots are biting everywhere! Everything! Nuff said!





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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64405

November 2, 2007

NC Aquariums and The Town of Emerald Isle Trying to Save a Pier!

Hello from Surf City! This is great news!
(quote)
The North Carolina Aquariums submitted a proposal to the new North
Carolina Waterfront Access and Marine Industry (WAMI) Fund on
November 1 for funding to proceed with the development of three State
ocean fishing piers that will be owned and operated as satellite
facilities of the North Carolina Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine
Knoll Shores, and Fort Fisher. The Town of Emerald Isle is pleased
to announce that it is partnering with the North Carolina Aquariums
for the central coast pier that will be operated in conjunction with
the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The NC Aquariums' WAMI Fund
proposal seeks a total of $4 million for the coast-wide effort, with
approximately $2 million of this request earmarked as initial funding
for site planning, design, permitting, and site improvements for "The
Aquarium Pier on Emerald Isle".

The Town of Emerald Isle and the NC Aquariums have been working
cooperatively for the past 18 months on strategies to insure the
perpetual existence of an ocean fishing pier on North Carolina's
central coast. "The Aquarium Pier on Emerald Isle" project outlined
in the WAMI proposal is the result of considerable research,
analysis, and discussion over that time, and the two partners are
eager to move forward with the project. The proposed project
involves the transfer of the Town's Eastern Ocean Regional Access
facility, located oceanfront at mile-marker 15 on NC 58, to the NC
Aquariums to be the home of the new facility. The 4.2 acre site is
the former home of the historic Emerald Isle Pier that was dismantled
after the hurricanes in 1996, and has since served as a major public
beach access for the area. This property is valued at approximately
$5.5 million, and will be transferred by the Town to the NC Aquariums
at no cost.

The new ocean fishing pier and related facilities will be modeled
after a similar project currently underway in Nags Head involving the
NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island, with "The Aquarium Pier on Emerald
Isle" operated as a satellite facility of the NC Aquarium at Pine
Knoll Shores. The pier will be constructed primarily from concrete
to enable it to withstand future hurricane activity, and will jut
1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. A new, first class pier house
will be constructed and will include a tackle shop, food service,
public meeting spaces, NC Aquarium exhibits, and other amenities.
The project also calls for the construction of a smaller sound-side
pier on Bogue Sound across from the new ocean fishing pier. Total
design, permitting, and initial site improvement costs are estimated
at $2 million, which would be funded by the WAMI proposal submitted
on November 1. The Town of Emerald Isle's land contribution is
valued at $5.5 million, and the total estimated construction cost is
$12.2 million. The remaining construction cost will be funded
through a combination of NC Aquarium admission receipts, future grant
requests, local government contributions, and a private fundraising
campaign. The proposal calls for construction of "The Aquarium Pier
on Emerald Isle" to begin in 2010, with the new pier complete and
open to the public in 2012.

"We are excited about this partnership with the NC Aquariums", said
Mayor Art Schools. "We believe the project will provide tremendous
benefits for North Carolinians for generations to come. The project
will provide recreational fishing benefits, further the Aquarium's
mission to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of the
aquatic environment, add to the area's strong tourism economy,
maintain public beach access, provide accessibility for handicapped
individuals to enjoy the ocean, and provide opportunities for marine
research and data collection." "Public ocean fishing piers remain
threatened by escalating coastal real estate values, and it is
important for the State and local governments to take action to
insure the perpetual existence of piers along the North Carolina
coast." NC Aquariums Director David Griffin echoed the Mayor's
comments and added, "We are excited about our partnership with the
Town of Emerald Isle, and look forward to working with the Town on
this important project. The Emerald Isle pier project and our other
two pier projects are a logical intersection of the NC Aquariums'
mission and the need to preserve the ocean pier experience for
current and future generations of North Carolinians. "
(end quote)



Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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November 1, 2007

Rod-Man Charters

Hello from Surf City! Here is the latest report from Capt Rick Bennet and Rod-Man Charters.
(quote)
Hi Folks, Well it has been windy and will be for a day or so more. Good thing, so to speak, the fish cannot feel the wind. Inshore fishermen have heart. There are plenty of good fish biting: reds, flounder and trout. It just takes time and patience.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: On the falling tide we have been catching some nice redfish, some nice flounder and some nice trout. I have used live finger mullet, Gulp SW on ¼ oz. jig heads and some topwater mirrolures. Fish are showing around the inlets, the ICW, the creeks and the marsh banks.

Near Shore: And I do mean near! Plenty of nice blues are at the inlets on high tide. Catch-em on just about anything.

Offshore: No reports due to wind.

Gulfstream: No reports due to wind.

Hopefully the weather will settle down in the next few days and great fall fishing will explode. The fish are ready.

In just two short months the boat shows will be here and right behind them will be my two fishing schools in Raleigh, February 9 and in Wilmington, March 1. We have some the absolute best captains and speakers lined up this year with a program that has something and in most cases a whole lot for everyone. Individual attention is guaranteed. Check it out at http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm

See you on the water….or you can come with me.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!

Capt. Rick Bennett

Rod-Man Charters

1-888-5RODMAN (576-3626)


(end quote)

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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64167

Spots

Hello from Surf City! Spots are biting at Surf City Pier, Jolly Rodger Pier, and Sea View Pier. A few black drum, and some sea mullets are biting at night. If you are persistent, you may catch a keeper flounder. In the surf it's pretty much the same thing. Inside, there are plenty of reds moving around the weed lines and the flats off the ICW. Speckled trout in the New River area. Thanks for visiting the blog.. Hope to get a more complete report soon.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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