Daily Bible Verse

April 28, 2008

Fishing Report from Capt. Rick Bennett of Rod Man Charters

Hello from Surf City! Here it is! Thanks Capt. Rick.

[quote]
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 have been biting as well.

Outlook: Look for things to fire off fast now. The water is in the 67-68 magic mark. Spanish should show up any day and the first of the year are the big ones. The bigger flounder should move in very soon.

I am really enjoying my new Nautic Star 24 Bay Boat. It does it all and with all the amenities.

The primary vote is just around the corner. I won't express my political view, but I will urge you to vote. It is not only your right, it is your obligation.

Don't miss the action:

LET"S GO FISHING!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-7993120
[end quote]

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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Topsail Area Charter Boats

April 27, 2008

Saturday Evening Topsail Island Fishing Report

Hello from Surf City! Seaview Pier reports blues, mullet, small flounder, a few trout, and of course, plenty of sharks. Off the end of the pier, anglers were hauling in some big Hatteras blues! I also hear they are biting from the surf near the inlet. Surf City pier reports sea mullets, blues, pompano, and even a few small spot! Vinita says it's no spot run, so don't get too excited. Down south, it's more of the same. Some blues, pompano, and sea mullets at night.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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Topsail Area Charter Boats

April 25, 2008

Mullet and Blues

Hello from Surf City! Surf City Pier is reporting plenty of mullet during the evening and night, and a few being caught during the day. Also during daylight hours, anglers are catching blues. They are hitting gotcha plugs and bottom rigs. The pompano have started showing up also. A few gray trout and black drum are coming over the rails. Fishing is gearing up. Get your stuff ready, water temps are in the middle to high 60's, so it won't be long until things really heat up.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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Ready for a great day fishing on the water? Check out our Charter Boat page.
Topsail Area Charter Boats

April 23, 2008

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries; Commercial Landings Report

NR-28-2008
COMMERCIAL LANDINGS DOWN;
DOCKSIDE VALUE UP IN 2007


Hello from Surf City! The Commercial Landings Report has just been made available. Here is the report along with a link to the site. You will read that the landings of some species, namely spot and croakers are down drastically from last year. Is this due to strained populations of this resource? Could be, I don't believe the netters would purposely not target these fish. So I believe the fish just aren't there. Let us know what you think. Reply to this issue on the Topsail Island Fishing Message Board message board.

Here is the report.
[quote]

Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: April 23, 2008
Phone: (252) 726-7021

COMMERCIAL LANDINGS DOWN; DOCKSIDE VALUE UP IN 2007

MOREHEAD CITY -- The amount of seafood commercial fishermen brought to the docks in North Carolina dropped for the fifth straight year in 2007, but the dockside value of the catch increased from 2006 figures.

Commercial fishermen landed 62.9 million pounds of fish and shellfish in 2007, an 8.5percent drop from 2006, according to harvest data collected by the N.C. Trip Ticket Program.

The total dockside value of the 2007 harvest was estimated at $82.3 million, which was $12.2 million more than in 2006. It could indicate that higher fuel prices are forcing fishermen to target the high-dollar catches, said Louis Daniel, director of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. “In some instances, the declines that we have seen from 2006 to 2007 may be closely related to coast wide quotas and other regulations,” Daniel said.

Bluefish, summer flounder, snowy grouper, river herring, sharks and spiny dogfish are examples of species where regulations are significant enough to affect landings, Daniel said. “Declines are also apparent in some of the higher volume, often lower valued fisheries, like croaker and spot,” Daniel said. “That may be a result of high fuel costs or a shift in fishing effort.” High valued seafood, such as sea scallops, vermillion snapper, triggerfish, wahoo, red grouper and sea mullet showed significant increased landings, Daniel said. The declines in croaker and spot landings could also indicate a problem with the resources, Daniel said.

According to the most recent Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission stock assessment, croaker are not over fished in the Mid-Atlantic region (north of Hatteras) but the stock status for croaker in the South Atlantic (south of Hatteras) is unknown.

NOTE BY JOHNNY The report states that croaker is not over fished in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Status of croaker is not known in the South Atlantic Region. I am wondering why the status isn't known. We DO NOT and CAN NOT catch 2 pound croaker here. However they can be caught in the Mid-Atlantic region. Could it be the laws on netting are different here than in the Mid-Atlantic region?

Hard crabs remained the top commercial seafood harvest in North Carolina by weight and value. Fishermen landed 20.5 million pounds of crabs in 2007 worth $18.1 million. But that was still 16 percent below 2006 levels and 35 percent lower than the previous five-year average.

Landings of other top commercial species declined, as well. Atlantic croaker landings were at 7.3 million pounds, down 30 percent from 2006 and (down) 38 percent from the previous five-year average. Summer flounder landings were 2.6 million pounds, down 33 percent from 2006 and down 35 percent from the previous five-year average. Bluefish landings were 2.3 million pounds, down 16 percent from 2006 and (down)23 percent from the previous five-year average.

On the other hand, harvests of shrimp were at 9.5 million pounds, up 66 percent from 2006 and [down] 64 percent from the previous five-year average. White shrimp harvests almost doubled those of 2006 and warmer winter waters farther north contributed to the highest catch of white shrimp from Pamlico Sound since 1999.

Total recreational landings by pounds decreased by 7.3 percent from 2006 to 23,052,903 pounds. However, the number of fish caught and kept increased from 12 million in 2006 to 14.7 million in 2007.

NOTE FROM JOHNNY We as recreational anglers need to think more about catch and release of most of our catch. Think also about reducing the catch limits and legal size of speckled trout and flounder. Think about it, there is hardly enough meat on a 12 or 13 inch speckled trout to stink up the frying pan. What would be wrong with a 15 inch minimum? Most of us "trout anglers" already throw back the s12's and 13's.

Top recreational species harvested were dolphinfish, 5.5 million pounds; yellowfin tuna, 3.3 million pounds; king mackerel, 2 million pounds; bluefish, 1.5 million pounds; and spot, 1.4 million pounds.

Fishermen holding recreational commercial gear licenses harvested a total of 433,152 pounds of fish and crabs. Top species harvested were blue crabs, 98,003 pounds; spot, 97,753 pounds; flounder, 41,542 pounds; striped mullet, 37,958 pounds; and shrimp, 33,778 pounds.

A complete list of 2007 landings can be downloaded from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Web site at http://www.ncfisheries.net/download/index.html under the “Statistics, Reports, Bulletins, and Summaries” heading.

For more information, contact Don Hesselman, chief of the division’s License and Statistics Section, at (252) 808-8099 or dhesselman@ncmail.net.
[end quote]

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 21, 2008

Wind Change, Fishing a Bust!

Hello from Surf City! Dan, Danniel and I went to Jolly Roger Pier today to check out the rumors of 16 inch blues on gotcha plugs. But the wind had changed and was out of North, and we didn't catch a thing. Not even a bite. The only critters we saw were skates and small dog fish, and we managed to stay away from them.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna

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April 20, 2008

Monday Evening Report from Topsail Island, North Carolina

Hello from Surf City! I have a fishing report from my nephew Dan that some 16 inch blues were caught from Jolly Roger Pier Sunday along with lots of smaller snappers. He also saw one pompano. Got a report from Surf City Pier that lots of small blues were caught yesterday along with a few small gray trout, and plenty of mullets at night. Surf fishing is still slow, with most of the action near the inlets. Blog Inlet pier website shows plenty of sea mullets, blues, pompano over a pound, and large black drum. A couple were over five pounds. Inside Topsail Island the speckled trout are still providing a lot of action to boaters in the creeks. A few schools of reds have been reported but they are not biting well. Offshore bite is still good from Topsail north to the OB, with catches of gray trout, bonito, big grey snappers, silver snapper, vermillion snappers, triggerfish, black sea bass, and plenty of groupers.

Danny, Daniel, and I went to Jolly Roger today to check out the rumors. But sadly, we didn't get a bite. The wind changed from South-west to during the night, and I am told that is why the bite was turned off. What do you think? Make a post on my Topsail Island Fishing Blog Message board. The link is below. Good Luck with your fishing!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna

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April 18, 2008

NorthCarolinaPierFishing Fishing recap for the NC Coast for the week of 4/18

Hello from Surf City! Thanks to Al for his Pier Fishing recap. Al is actively trying to save our ocean fishing piers from extinction. It seems that the piers are rapidly being replaced with condos, and anglers like you and me are loosing our access to the beach in those areas, not to mention our pier fishing. Check out his websites at the links below and email Al to find out how you can help.

North Carolina Fishing Pier Society
North Carolina Pier Fishing Group

[quote]
As gasoline prices and water temps keep rising the fishing is getting better. High winds from a low pressure that slowly moved northward kept boats from going offshore for most of the week but when they got there they were rewarded.

Blackfin, Wahoo and Yellowfin all caught out of Oregon Inlet. The first blue marlin was caught and released as well. Out of Morehead - White Marlin, bonito, blackfin adn yellowfin. Kings caught at 240 rock and west rock. Offshore out of Wilmington and south found kings at the horseshoe, and bonito scattered about.

Other types of fishing were improved as well:

Flounder and trout at the little bridge(one of my usual stops) Blues and whiting from Avon to Hatteras Inlet. The Avon pier saw coolers full of whiting leaving. Black drum and croaker in the Frisco surf. Blacks, blues, reds and whites(whiting) at Ocracoke surf.

Lots of whting at Morehead piers along with blues and spots. Johnny is reporting whting on shrimp and fleas on Topsial. Check his blog here:
http://fishintopsail.com/

Whiting and blues near Wilmington with specs and reds in the backwaters. Ocean Crest pier reported the first pompano and bluefish from 6-8 pounds along with coolers full of whiting.



OIB people using Gotcha blugs are being rewarded with bluefish
[end quote]



Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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Topsail Area inside Report


Hello from Surf City! We got a report from fishin' bud Jim yesterday. Jim has hit a homerun with his last trip. Check out the picture above! Jim certainly has found the secret to catching a bunch of trout. Even though most of Jim's catch was released, He has some fine table fare from this trip. Nice catch, Jim, keep those reports coming!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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Topsail Island Fishing Report

Hello from Surf City!

Topsail Island anglers have been catching sea mullets for several weeks now. The bite is mostly at night, with a few during the day. The piers are producing better than the surf. Sand fleas seem to be the bait of choice, but they are still hard to find. Cut fresh shrimp is also doing well. I have news that an surf angler fishing with cut shrimp in the surf, landed a keeper speckled trout today. A few small "snapper" blues have also been landed from the local piers. Anglers fishing the inside, [creeks and flats off the intracoastal waterway] have been catching keeper specks all winter, some really nice ones up to 5 lbs. But with the warmer surf temps and the recent rains, the speckled trout and the red drum are starting to move out of the creeks and towards the inlets. The water temps in the area average about 64 degrees. With a few days of full sun and some southwest wind, the water temp should rise and with the warmer water, expect to see lots more blues, flounder, sea mullets, speckled trout, black drum, and red drum.
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Check out www.fishingtopsail.com for updated fishing reports, seafood recipes, helpful links, and even Topsail area real estate rentals and sales.




Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 16, 2008

Don't Miss the Line Wind at East Coast Sports!





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 15, 2008

Topsail Island Report Monday Evening

Hello from Surf City!
Fishing Report: Topsail Island anglers have been catching sea mullets for several weeks now. The bite is mostly at night, with a few during the day. The piers are producing better than the surf. Sand fleas seem to be the bait of choice, but they are still hard to find. Cut fresh shrimp is also doing well. I have news that an surf angler fishing with cut shrimp in the surf, landed a keeper speckled trout today. A few small "snapper" blues have also been landed from the local piers. Anglers fishing the inside, [creeks and flats off the intracoastal waterway] have been catching keeper specks all winter, some really nice ones up to 5 lbs. But with the warmer surf temps and the recent rains, the speckled trout and the red drum are starting to move out of the creeks and towards the inlets. The water temps in the area average about 64 degrees. With a few days of full sun and some southwest wind, the water temp should rise and with the warmer water, expect to see lots more blues, flounder, sea mullets, speckled trout, black drum, and red drum.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 14, 2008

Blues at New Topsail Inlet

Hello from Surf City!
Got a report today from a couple of anglers, they caught several nice blues at New Topsail Inlet. Read more.... The anglers were fishing with cut shrimp and frozen and thawed cut jumping hardhead mullet. They also caught a few small sea mullets on the cut shrimp. I was told that sandfleas (mole crabs) were nowhere to be found near the inlet. As the water warms, more blues as well as more and bigger sea mullets will be showing up. With the water temperature at 64 degrees, all we need is a few days of south-west winds. The winds are out of the north-west today. The current air temp is 58 with a predicted high of 62. Cooler temps are predicted for tomorrow, and Wednesday, but the rest of the week will be warmer with highs in the middle to upper 70's, no rain until late Saturday and Sunday.
The tackle and bait shops have some beautiful shrimp, not sure if they are fresh caught or frozen, but they are nice just the same. I had almost a pound left from my last trip to the surf, and I grilled them for supper last night. Don't get left behind, come on down and head to your favorite pier or surf fishing hole, and while you are there, catch one for me!




Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna



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April 12, 2008

RED HOT ALERT!! BONITA are HERE!!


Hello from Surf City! RED HOT ALERT FROM EAST COAST SPORTS!

THANKS CHRIS!


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 11, 2008

Surf Fishing Today

Hello from Surf City! I went out to the surf for a while today. Got started about an hour before high tide, and fished until about two hours past peak high tide. Didn't get a bite, unless you count the big bundles of seaweed that I pulled in each cast. Saw another angler, and he had the same luck. Again, I didn't find a single flea. I am going to try at low tide tomorrow to see if I have better luck. Weather was beautiful, and I got a bit of a sunburn. Calls for aloe. Stay tuned.



Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 10, 2008

Huge Whiting, A Tasty Treat!

Hello from Surf City! A big Fishin' Topsail thanks to Charlie Snyder, a local Surf City angler for the whiting he gave me for lunch. Donna and I were at Batt's Grill for lunch, and I was staring at the double cheeseburger on my plate, kind of wishing I had ordered some flounder, or shrimp, or maybe anything but the cheeseburger, when Mr. Snyder offered a couple of deep fried whiting that was left from their lunch. I quickly accepted, before someone else laid claim to the tasty fish. I have to tell you they were delicious! And my dogs enjoyed the remainder of the cheeseburger. Mr. Snyder said he caught the whiting on sand fleas. Now I was not surprised that the whiting bit the fleas, but I was kind of surprised that Mr. Snyder found sand fleas. With the bulldozing that is going on at our beach, I figured all the fleas were gone. I know I haven't found any. Mr. Snyder caught the whiting in the breakers, but I won't divulge his exact location out of respect for an anglers "honey hole". When Donna and I left Batt's Grill, we went straight to Surf City Crab and bought a pound of nice plump shrimp just in case I don't find the fleas. I will give surf fishing a try in the morning. Check back in the morning for the results.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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Rod Man Charters Fishing Report

Hello from Surf City! Here is the Rod-Man's Charter fishing report.

[quote]
Hi Folks,
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. My Nautic Star 24 Bay Boat from Chatlee Marine in Sanford is totally awesome. The 101 pound thrust Minn-Kota trolling motor has put me on the fish quietly and the Power Pole from Tex's Tackle is the greatest invention for inshore boating....possibly ever. Quietly approach the fishing ground and then push a button and you are anchored, securely and quietly. I can honestly say if you are an inshore fisherman, you need/want a Power Pole. You can see how one operates on my boat or drop by Tex's Tackle for a demo. In addition to these electronic marvels my boat has superior seating for comfort and safety and two large casting platforms, forward and aft.

That's all for this week. Until next time,

Let's Go Fishing !!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120
[end quote]


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 9, 2008

Video of Tailing Redfish from Water Dog Guide Service

"Hello from Surf City! Check out this video of "tailing" redfish. If you haven't seen this before, take it from me, it is an awsome site!





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 5, 2008

UPDATE! Surf, Oyster Bars and Creeks

Hello from Surf City!
I just got a report for the tidal creeks and flats off the ICW and the surf. The Trout are still biting in the New River and mullet are biting in the surf. Back in the sound,the red drum are holding around some of the docks but are still slow to bite. The key is S L O W presentation. The backs of some of the creeks with muddy bottoms are holding some fish as well, specks and reds. The oyster bars and creeks with shallow water and muddy bottoms will warm quicker than sandy bottoms or deeper water.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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Topsail Island Fishing Report for Saturday, April 4

Hello from Surf City!
Sea mullets are still being caught from all three piers on the island, mostly at night. They are biting cut shrimp and Fish Bites. There are a few during the daylight hours, but not many. If you are a daytime angler, puffers and blues are the main attraction. The puffers seem to prefer cut shrimp, and the blues like cut mullet, but will bite the shrimp. I have heard of a few gray trout caught on the piers, biting the shrimp. I am told that there was a 14 inch flounder caught on Surf City Pier. I still can't see any bait in the surf, but with the water temps approaching 63 degrees F., they should be showing up soon. Get your plugging gear ready the larger blues will be here any day, with the spanish not far behind. Hope to see you on the beach!
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Check out our charter boat page. A link is provided in the site map on the main page, http://www.fishintopsail.com
Enjoy eating your catch. Get that recipe at our recipe page.
http://fishintopsailsrecipes.blogspot.com/


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 3, 2008

Topsail Island Pier Reports

Hello from Surf City!

Surf City Pier is reporting sea mullets, a few during the daylight hours, but mostly at night. There have been scattered reports of spots, puffers, flounder, blues, and even a gray trout. But to catch more that a few, you must tolerate cold winds and rain. But if you stay with it, you can fill your cooler.

Jolly Roger is reporting sea mullets, also at night, and puffers with a few blues in the mix.

Seaview is reporting some good catches of mullets, but again, you have to stay with it and put up with the rain and cold wind.

No reports from the surf. There has been some anglers in the surf, but no one I talked to had caught anything, except a few sharks and skates.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna

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Waterfront Access Study Committee Final Funding projects

Hello from Surf City! We got this from RoadkillAl of the North Carolina Fishing Pier Society. As you all know, our access to public waters is disappearing fast. The Waterfront Access Study Committe was formed to research and recommend solutions. Some of the funds needed for beach access projects were approved. This is some of the projected projects that may get funded. Thanks to Al for supplying this info to us.

[quote]
You will probably be seeing this in the news tomorrow this was forwarded to me. I understand there was over 100 million in project requests for 20 million in funds. Here are some projects of interest: Here are some highlights:
*Jennette's Pier - 1.5 million for starting construction
*Morehead City - Extend Pier, build boat ramp and add parking
at Radio Island - 1,150,000
*Emerald Island - Planning, designing and site prep for new pier
at Emerald Isle 2,200,000
*Hampstead - Purchase property adjacent to Anchors Away Boat Yard for
public access - 3,000,000
[end quote]


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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April 2, 2008

Flounder Size Change

Hello from Surf City!
[quote]

FF-25-2008
PROCLAMATION

RE: FLOUNDER – RECREATIONAL PURPOSE

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Saturday, March 1, 2008, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of flounder for recreational purposes:

I. MINIMUM SIZE LIMITS AND AREAS

It is unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 ½ inches total length taken from internal and Atlantic Ocean fishing waters for recreational purposes except as specified below:

PAMLICO SOUND - No person may possess flounder less than 14 inches total length taken from internal waters for recreational purposes west of a line beginning at a point on Point of Marsh in Carteret County at 35° 04.6166’N – 76° 27.8000’W, then running northeasterly to a point at Bluff Point in Hyde County at 35° 19.7000’N – 76° 09.8500’W. In Core and Clubfoot creeks, the Highway 101 Bridge constitutes the boundary north of which flounder must be at least 14 inches total length.

ALBEMARLE SOUND - No person may possess flounder less than 14 inches total length taken from internal waters for recreational purposes west of a line beginning at a point 35° 57.3950’N – 76° 00.8166’W on Long Shoal Point; running easterly to a point 35° 56.7316’N – 75° 59.3000’ W near Marker “5” in Alligator River; running northeasterly along the Intracoastal Waterway to a point 36° 09.3033’N - 75° 53.4916’W near Marker “171” at the mouth of North River; running northwesterly to a point 36° 09.9093’N – 75° 54.6601’W on Camden Point.

BROWNS INLET-SOUTH – No person may possess flounder less than 14 inches total length in internal and Atlantic Ocean fishing waters for recreational purposes west and south of a line beginning at a point 34° 37.0000’N – 77° 15.000’W; running southeasterly to a point 34° 32.0000’N – 77° 10.0000’W.

II. CREEL LIMIT
It is unlawful to possess more than eight (8) flounder taken for recreational purposes per person per day or per trip if a trip occurs on more than one calendar day. The possession limit shall apply to flounder taken from internal and Atlantic Ocean fishing waters by all gears, including gigs, if possession is for a recreational purpose.

III. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103; 3I .0102, 3M .0503 and 3M .0512.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.

C. The intent of this proclamation is to maintain North Carolina’s compliance with the requirements of the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder Fisheries Management Plan under the authority of N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0512. This proclamation continues the minimum size limit of flounder taken for recreational purposes in internal waters west of a line in Pamlico Sound from Point of Marsh to Bluff Point and in Albemarle Sound west of Alligator River at 14 inches. The size limit east of those lines and in all other internal waters and the Atlantic Ocean north of Browns Inlet becomes 15 ½ inches total length.

D. This proclamation does not affect commercial fishing operations. Commercial harvest reduction requirements were met by a reduction in their total annual quota.

E. This proclamation supersedes Proclamations FF-9-2007, dated February 6, 2007, and FF-10-2007, dated February 8, 2007.

February 26 2008
11:30 A.M.
FF-25-2008
[end quote]

This means flounder in the ocean and sounds must be 15 1/2 inches to be a keeper. You may still keep 8 flounder per day. FYI, Brown's Inlet is just south of Swansboro, NC.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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FISHERIES DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR WATERFRONT ACCESS SITES

Hello from Surf City! Bulletin from NC Marine Fisheries;
Red Drum

[quote]
FISHERIES DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR WATERFRONT ACCESS SITES

MOREHEAD CITY – N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Director Louis Daniel today announced 13 sites selected for funding from the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund.

The sites were selected to provide waterfront access to a variety of user groups, including commercial and recreational fishermen, pier fishermen, recreational boaters and marine industry. In addition, several sites are in strategic locations for important state research and habitat enhancement efforts.

“These projects represent what we were looking for when we sought proposals for multi-functional projects,” Daniel said. "They address many of the access issues identified in the 2007 Waterfront Access Study Committee Report."

Daniel said he believes DMF also met its goal of leveraging the $20 million WAMI Fund to draw other sources of financial support. The total cost of the projects exceeds $71 million.

The N.C. General Assembly approved the $20 million fund in 2007 in response to recommendations from the Waterfront Access Study Committee.

The study committee reported to the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture that rapid development along the coast has brought higher property values and taxes that have resulted in the loss of traditional maritime industries and public access. The General Assembly felt state intervention was needed to ensure existing and future waterfront-dependent uses and continued access to the state’s public trust waters.

The WAMI was created to acquire waterfront properties or develop facilities to provide, improve or develop public and commercial waterfront access. State Senate Pro-tem Marc Basnight led legislative support for the program.

"I am pleased that the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund is now a reality,” Basnight said. “Our maritime heritage and the hard work of generations of watermen have meant so much to our economy and our people throughout our history. These funds will help our fishermen prosper and preserve our working waterfronts for generations to come."

Additionally, site reviews required the collaboration of several different DENR agencies, meeting goals of the N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan and One North Carolina Naturally. Agencies involved in site reviews included the Division of Marine Fisheries, the Wildlife Resources Commission, the Division of Coastal Management, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the Division of Water Resources and the Division of Water Quality.

“Conservation was a winner last year, with additional funding for parks, natural heritage, farmland preservation and this waterfront access initiative,” said Secretary Bill Ross of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “We are grateful to Gov. Easley and the General Assembly for their leadership on these initiatives so important to connecting people with the wonderful natural resources of North Carolina.

The sites and funding are distributed geographically across three coastal regions. Six, totaling $6.8 million are in the Northeast; four, totaling $6.3 million, are in the Central; and three, totaling $6.9 million, are in the Southeast.

Some of the funding decisions are pending state appraisals and successful price negotiations for property acquisition.

For more information, contact DMF Public Information Officer Patricia Smith at (252) 808-8025
[end quote]

Check out the NC Department of Marine Fisheries website for more information.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna

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April 1, 2008

Puffers and Mullets

Hello from Surf City! I am hearing that the puffers, also know locally as "chicken of the sea", are biting cut shrimp in the surf and all three local piers. Mullets, some really nice size, are biting better at night. Mixed in are a few snapper blues, along with the usual crop of sharks and skates. In the waterway, reds are biting artificial baits around the docks on the falling tide. Speckled trout are biting DOA, (pink color) way back in the creeks. Weather has not been great for fishing, with the wind, and rain. But if you can brave the elements for a night of pier fishing, you can catch enough to stink up your fry pan!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny and Donna


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