Daily Bible Verse

October 14, 2011

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 600 members and growing!

Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide


Red Skelton Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

October 13, 2011

Fwd: Rod-Man Report


Hi Folks,

Boat Update: I have sold my boat. Now I am working on obtaining a new one. It was a good time to sell the old, but I am missing some great fishing waiting on the new. You do not have to wait. Get out on the water with your boat or let me know and I will hook you up with a very good captain. Now here's my report:

INSORE: Fall fishing is on fire. Red drum, flounder, and trout: they are all biting. All the usual spots are providing fish. Fish the inlets, the waterway, the creeks and the river. Fish live bait, dead bait and artificials. It's all happening. My favorite artificial is a ¼ oz. led head combined with a Gulp 4" Baitfish or a 5" Jerk Bait.

NEAR SHORE: Exciting times are just off the beach too. The Spanish bite is still on and producing some very nice fish. Also, there are some very good bluefish biting. King mackerel are cruising the beach and False Albacore are bending some rods as well.

OFFSHORE: Some more kings and false albacore are biting and Frying Pan is producing a smorgasbord of fishes.

GULFSTREAM: The stream is providing good action on wahoo, blackfin and a few yellowfin tuna.

UPCOMING: More and more of the same in the way of fall fishing will continue until it gets too cold, which doesn't seem a threat in the near future. But, when it does turn cold it will be boat show season and I will be there. I will be posting my schedule for Raleigh, Greensboro, Richmond and Wilmington soon. I am building a lot of my show special custom rods for the boat shows. I hope to provide you with one…or two!

Until next time…

Let's Go Fishing!!!

 

 

Capt. Rick Bennett 
Rod-Man Charters (light tackle and fly-fishing, inshore and near shore)
Rod-Man Custom Fishing Rods (from ultra-lite, to fly, to marlin)
407 Fox Wood Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
rodman@rodmancharters.com

http://www.rodmancharters.com
http://www.custom-fishingrods.com
910.520.7661

 

 

 


August 11, 2011

Fisherman's Post Topsail Report

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!

Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide



Hello from Topsail Island ..... Below is a link to view Capt. Chris Medlin's Topsail fishing report for Fisherman's Post magazine.

Read the report here ......

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

August 7, 2011

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Hello from Topsail Beach! This is a pic of my friends (Caleb Thornton, and Ron Sloan) with their catch! NICE sheepshead guys! Catch 'em up!


Fishin' Topsail Facebook fishing reports:
Johnathon Fann, Aug 6, 2011 ... finally a good day surf fishin. Dont know if it was the clouds or what. Caught some pompanos mullets and spots all in about 30 mins. after that caught a few more small ones and then it just died out. Fished high tide going out hope i can do that again tomorrow.
Allen Jernigan, Aug 6, 2011,
These guys drove in from Atlanta just for a gig trip. Could not let them down even though the wind was howling. Big fish was 27". Good night in the wind for rookies! They had a great time.


Surf City Ocean Pier reports: a few pompano and a few spanish and blues....heard of a flounder..not much else.

Sea View Pier Report: Tommy's 28 inch Red Drum..so sad he couldn't keep him ...



Kenny caught a nice Spanish Mackerel 8-6-11 ... Kenny caught 5.5 flounder on 8-6-11 ...



Jolly Roger Pier report: ‎96 lb Tarpon just landed Thursday morning by Alan Pleasant! Mike Stout caught Tarpon 80#, August 6, 2011 - released.

August 1, 2011

Monthly Free Fishing Tournament at East Coast Sports

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!

Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide





Monthly Free Fishing Tournament

We Will Give out a $10.00 gift card for the largest of each fish weighed each month. Each month species will vary.
Augusts fish species will be Sheepshead, Flounder (gigged division and hook and line division), Sea Mullet, King Mackerel, Grouper (all legal species), Mahi-Mahi.

We will have a big board right above the door with your picture and name for bragging rights. All you need to do to participate is bring a fish in to be weighed. That is is. No forms to fill out before hand just show up with your fish.

AND IT IS FREE!!!!!!!!
The fish must be caught hook and line. Net caught, gigged or speared fish are not eligble. Kings and grouper may have 1 gaff mark. Flounder that have been gigged qualify for gigged division only. Fish must be weighed at East Coast Sports. All fish weighed must be of legal size. No mutilated fish.

July 19, 2011

Surf City Ocean Pier

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Hello from Topsail Beach!
My grandson and myself fished Surf City Ocean Pier last night and the sharks were thick. I'm talking about 4 and 5 footers in knee deep water, not 50 feet from swimmers playing in the surf after dusk. What are they thinking????? It was crazy. We counted four sharks, at once, so don't know how many more there were that we couldn't count. Also in attendance were huge rays, at least a dozen. We didn't catch much, just small blues and even smaller croakers. But about dawn the larger blues moved in, and using gotcha plugs, we caught close to our limit, and even one 18 inch spanish. This was Zack's first time fishing with gotchas, and now he is hooked! We had much fun!

July 11, 2011

Cape Fear Guide Fishing in July






























Cape Fear Guide fishing in July is improving with the arrival of the finger mullet here at Carolina Beach the red drum bite & speckle trout are back biting, like they normally do for this time of year.I have really been busy this fishing season,just plain fishing nearly everyday,here are just a few of the photos of what is biting in the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina.
Give Capt.Mike Dennis a call at 910-619-0928 to set up your next inshore charter,located at Carolina Beach,N.C,which is just about an hours drive from Topsail Beach,N.C.

Capt.Mike Dennis

Cape Fear Guide

910-619-0928



check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!










Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

















June 28, 2011

Charter Fishing Report

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide



Rodman Charters Report


[quote]



Hi Folks,
Hot, hot, hot! While the weather maybe on the hot side, it takes precise timing and location to get on the bite. That was adequately proven last week when 4 hours of fishing good hot spots for flounder yielded nothing and then at our last stop we caught 3 fish in less than 45 minutes. With the weather this hot, you have to be patient, fish your spots and be willing to move around. It’s also a good time to try new approaches and even some old ones you haven’t used in a while. Now here’s my report:
INSHORE: Water temps are in the low 80’s. Menhaden live bait is plentiful and the small finger mullet are starting to show up. The flounder bite has been very good on the rising tide. Redfish are plentiful but a little bit skittish. Patience and stealth will get them to bite. Best time is falling tide.
NEAR SHORE: Spanish mackerel continue to make their here today gone tomorrow routine. They have been absolutely unpredictable. Some good flounder fishing around the inshore AR’s both with live bait and jigging with bucktails tipped with gulp shrimp. You will also catch some nice sea bass using this technique.
OFFSHORE: The bite here has been slow. Not sure what is going on but hope it is just that one week June lull that seems to happen every year. Kings and inshore mahi should be biting as well as the usual AR inhabitants, amberjack and barracuda. Look for sailfish to show up soon from 10 to 25 miles out.
GULFSTREAM: High winds have kept most boats from going to the blue. No reports.
UPCOMING: The king and mahi show should take off any day now in the 10-18 mile range. Big flounder have started showing up and should become more aggressive. Redfishing is improving and should be full ahead. Be sure to check out the new pics at the Photo Gallery at www.rodmancharters.com
Until next time…
LET’S GO FISHING!!!

June 23, 2011

FISH FOR FREE IN NORTH CAROLINA'S PUBLIC WATERS ON JULY 4

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide



RALEIGH, N.C. (June 21, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding the public that July 4 is a “free fishing day” in North Carolina when everyone — residents and non-residents — can fish in all public waters, including coastal waters, from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., without purchasing a fishing license.
While everyone can fish in public waters without a license, all other fishing regulations, such as length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions, apply.


I haven't been out, (migraine) but I have reports that the water is clear, and catches of spots, virginia mullets, blues, spanish, flounder, and citation pompano (sand fleas) are being reported. There are lots of big sheepshead being caught under the 172 bridge in Sneads Ferry. Reds are at Lea Island, and oyster bars elsewhere. 
Good luck!
Johnny

June 3, 2011

Topsail Update

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide


Surf City Ocean Pier Update 
Surf City Pier reports a few blues and spanish on gotcha plugs, mornings and evenings. Bottom fishing is slow during the day, but picks up considerable in the evening and night. Bloodworms, available at the pier tackle shop, seem to be the best bait. While you are at Surf City Pier, check out their grill and try the Mosquito Burger.  MMMMMMM GOOD!
Check out Surf City Ocean Pier Facebook for updates. Check out the new video posted by Michael.


06-02-2011
Spanish and blues are still to be caught on plugs and jigs but you would need to put in your time. Best bite has been the mornings and evenings. Bait fishing has been slow/descent for Mullets, Spots, Black Drum and Croakers with the bite being better in the evenings/night. Some Flounder, Sheepshead has been decked. Speckled Trout are being caught and are put back. Since the Speckled Trout cannot be kept right now. One Chopper Blue at 7 pounds was landed off the king rigs today. Our second legal Cobia was decked the day before about 20 pounds.


Blues and Spanish on Gotcha plugs in the early am. A few spots this week. Bloodworms best bait. Some whiting, pompano and black drum. Bottom fishing best at night.

Check the updates on our message board. We have 429 members and growing. Join us and give us updates of your fishing trips, plans, or questions. Click this link to join. Recommend Fishin' Topsail Facebook to your friends.

East Coast Sports fishing report.  Chris at East Coast Sports reports the spot bite has been "decent" at night. Anglers are catching some blues and spanish from the piers and near shore. Black sea bass are "on fire" offshore from 2 miles to 20 miles. Mahi are "chewing" in the gulf stream. Chris reports cobia are on the beach busting bait balls. 
To read the original fishing report on the East Coast Sports website, click here.  To read the East Coast Sports complete fishing report on the East Coast Sports website, click here.

Check out the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission fishing reports, click here.

To check out my new purple martin blog, Topsail Beach Purple Martins click here.

Thanks for visiting www.FishinTopsail.com

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



June 2, 2011

Fishing Report from The Fisherman's Post

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Here a link is the latest Topsail area fishing report from The Fisherman's Post.
Hope you enjoy.............
Fishermans Post ...... Topsail/Sneads Ferry Fishing Report.


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

Facebook Fishin' Topsail group

June 1, 2011

Finally, some good reports to post .........

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Finally, some good reports to post .........

Surf City Pier report ......... Some spanish and blues early yesterday. A few spots during the day and evening. A couple of keeper flounder on live bait. A few nice virginia mullets were caught along with many smaller fish. Got one report from a beachcomber this morning that a nice sheepshead was caught on SC Pier yesterday.

Sea View Fishing Report ....... by Sea View website ........
Some Spanish and blues to be caught on plugs and jigs but you would need to put in your time as the day goes on. It picks up some toward the evening. Best bite has been the mornings. Bait fishing has been slow/descent for mullets, spots, black drum and croakers with the bite being better in the evenings/night. Some flounder and sheepshead has been decked.
King Fishing weekend wrap up. So Friday we had three king hits and put two on the deck (19 & 26 pounds) and one bite off. Also Jason had the piers first Tarpon hookup this season which broke off. Saturday we had two hits one was lost at the gaff (20~25 pounds) and another was cut while it was peeling out line. Sunday we had one king hit and it was decked at 27.9 pounds. Monday our streak was broke and had zero king hits. We had an average of 7 chopper blues for those three days.

Jolly Roger report ....... by Rob Orr ..... "Blues & Spanish are being caught this morning on Got-Cha lures. Summer spots have been caught for the past week, mainly on bloodworms. Some nice whiting, pompano & black drum in the mix. Most of the bottom fish are being caught at night."

My fishing buddies, Caleb and Jonothan caught some nice sheepshead Monday. A couple were BIG! Not sure where they were fishing ....... Sorry I din't get any pics, my camera was full.

Reds were busting topwater lures in the tidal creeks off the ICW near Lea Island Monday and Tuesday. More fish were lost than were landed, but the anglers had a really enjoyable and exciting day.

Here is a list of sites where I aquire some of the info I post. If I can't get out to visit the piers, I will call them on the telephone for a report. I can't personally verify all the reports, due to my health problems, I just can't get out there that often, but from past experience with these folks, I believe they are pretty accurate.

Thanks to all who provide me with the data to post these reports, and a special thanks to the readers of this blog.
Surf City Pier
East Coast Sports
Sea View Pier
NC Angler Forums, NC coast
NC Angler Forums, Saltwater fishing
Jolly Roger Pier

Till next time....
tight lines!
Johnny

May 27, 2011

Red Drum Bite



Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!


Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide


Red drum are biting in the backwaters of the Cape Fear River,yesterdays catch yielded two nice slot size red drum fishing is not on fire,but with the warmer water temperatures I expect the bite to be improving.Capt.Mike Dennis offers live bait charters for the avid angler or family who wants to have a successful day out on the water.


Capt.Mike Dennis - Capt.Mike@charter.net - 910-619-0928 - http://www.capefear-guide.com/








May 26, 2011

Summer Weather and Good Summer Fishing around the area waters!



Summer has really been showing its face around here lately and with the warm air comes more bait and more means more fish to catch! I’ve seen a big change in water temps in the last few days, the waters around Wrightsville Beach are hanging around 80` inshore; time to go for a swim! With this warm water the bait has just exploded in numbers in the area waters and it is very easy to find.

The Spanish mackerel and Bluefish are just about everywhere you go just off the beaches from twenty feet to forty feet of water; you should have no problem catching them. I’ve had the best luck with deeper spoons on number one planners, yes I’m seeing a few on the top line but the best has been deeper. Clark-spoons in sizes 00 and 0 are doing the trick in colors silver, gold and pink flash. The Spanish hitting the top baits are hitting Blue Water Candy’s Spanish Daisy chains in colors pink, blue and silver; the great thing about this rig is you can pull it off lighter tackle outfits. I’m using thirty and forty pound clear Berkley Big Game mono for all my Spanish leaders. Tip: keep your trolling and casting speed up; faster moving baits seem to get more bites, I troll around five knots or six mph.

If you know me at all you know I love to fish for Cobia and it is now Cobia season for our local waters; the Cobia have been showing up during the last few weeks. I look this time of year for Cobia around inlets, shoals and bait schools; near shore/offshore reefs and ledges are also a good place to look too. With the water being so clear it has been easier to see those brown logs in the water. We are throwing big jigs, swim baits and live bait to the Cobia. Color really does not seem to matter; but “go bright”! When I’m not sight casting for them, we are fishing around inlets, shoals and near shore artificial reefs. I float fish, bottom fish and kite fish in these areas with live menhaden, blues and mullet as bait. If you hook one of these beast, take your time fighting them, they don’t tire out easily; a green Cobia can really tear up a boat or you!

The Redfish have slowed a little bit over the last week due to the waters warming up so fast, but we are still catching them; going earlier in the morning seems to help the bite some. Fishing top-water baits like MirrOlure’s Top Dog Jr or Top Pup also Sebile’s Ghost Walker are catching me some really nice Reds in shallow water. When I’m fishing in deeper water for Reds like around docks, creek mouths and deeper grass lines; I’m casting Berkley Gulp products like the Ripple Mullet or the three inch Gulp shrimp. The colors I prefer in the Ripple Mullet are rootbeer gold/chart tail, goby magic chart tail, new penny and pearl white for the Redfish. Rig these baits on a red, black, brown or gray jig head with a thirty to fifty pound mono or fluorocarbon leader. I have had some good luck lately with spinner baits for the Redfish and the trick that seems to work for me is a Ripple Mullet in the color rootbeer gold/chart tail as the grub on the spinner bait. Remember reel that spinner bait; just fast enough to keep it off the bottom.

Fishing Gear I use:

Reels Penn Fierce and Battle spinning in sizes 2000, 3000 & 4000 sizes. Cobia Fishing reels: Penn Battle 5000, 6000 & 7000, Penn 320LD. Line: Spiderwire Ultra-cast and Berkley Fireline braid in 8, 10 and 15 pound. Cobia Line: 30 pound Berkley Big Game Mono. Rods: Fenwick HMG GS 70M-MF, Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy. Cobia Rods: Ugly Stik Tiger Lite Jigging series in 50-100 class spinning and casting. Leader material: Cobia; Berkley Big Game mono & Fluorocarbon in eighty to one hundred pound. Stren Fluorocarbon leader material in Tannic and Gunsmoke tints; tannic for river and stained waters, gunsmoke for clear water applications.

Thanks for reading this report, if you have any questions just let me know! Get out there and enjoy this summer weather, winter was cold and summer is going to be Hot!

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens
Ranger Boats Pro Staff
PENN Reels Elite Staff
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!

Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

May 25, 2011

New Surf City Business has Grand Opening

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide


Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm


 
303 B S. Topsail Dr
P.O. Box 2907
Surf City, NC 28445
Phone: (910) 328-1009
ohanapaddlesports@yahoo.com
 
 
We are a standup paddle board shop located in Surf City, NC. We carry standup paddle boards and accessories, outrigger canoes, and clothing. We also offer guided tours and lessons with professional paddler Chris Hill (Chill). We have boards for any environment; ocean, sound, river, racing and downwind. We cater to beginners, including those who have never tried it, to professional paddlers, and everyone in between.

For more information about our shop or this event feel free to call us anytime at (910) 328-1009 or check out our website at http://www.ohanapaddlesports.org/


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

Topsail Update

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here  2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Surf fishing around Topsail slowed a bit yesterday. There were a few chopper blues around, but down from earlier in the week. A few mullets at mostly at night. On the piers, a few drum & sheepshead, Blues & Spanish are still hitting early morning & late afternoon, catching a few nice pompano, sea mullets at night. Seaview reports first legal cobia of the year on May 23. Surf City Pier reports a few blues and spanish in the early am and right at dark. Gotcha plugs. Charter captains are catching reds behind Lee Island.

Read more topsail area fishing reports on our facebook message board. We have over 400 members and still growing!
Catch 'em up

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 22, 2011

Small Virginia Mullets at Topsail Beach

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Hello from beautiful Topsail Island. It was another wonderful day on Topsail Island. Donna and I stayed on the beach all afternoon. Enough for me to get a good sunburn on my forehead. I forgot my cap. My forehead had not seen much sun this year. The bottle nose dolphins were out in force today giving everyone on the beach a free show. They were following a couple of kayaks around in the surf, riding the waves and jumping happily. There were a few virginia mullets in the surf at Topsail Beach this afternoon. They were not huge, but just frying pan size. I heard of a few really nice pompano in the surf as well. The action in the surf depended on who you talked to. My fishin bud Caleb fished behind Lea Island, but didn't catch anything except an undersized flounder. The piers all reported some nice catches of blues, and spanish in the early am. I won't get to fish tomorrow, having the car serviced. But I will probably get some reports, I'll post when I can.

We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place. God is good.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Purple Martins and Chopper Blues

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Hello from beautiful Topsail Island! How bout this post title. Actually, they have nothing to do with each other, I just thought I would include my new hobby in this fishing post. If you are a purple martin fan, check out my new purple martin blog. Topsail Beach Purple Martins. I am a new landlord and have birds hanging out in the colony. I am loving the experience.

Now on to the fishing report. There were huge chopper blues being caught everywhere yesterday. Many of the blues were over twenty inches! Folks on the piers, especially the end where the king anglers were. I had a report of a six pounder caught near the suds on a gotcha plug. Fifteen pound blues were not uncommon from the king anglers. They are catching them on all three piers. It's exciting to watch an angler pull in a four or five pound king on a gotcha plug! I got a report of a couple of limits of spanish from Surf City Ocean Pier. Better get out there! The sound and ICW are fat with reds and flounder. Big schools of reds are roaming the flats and hanging out in tidal creeks. According to reports I have recieved, Berkley gulp is the bait. Flounders are biting live bait fished on a carolina rig. If you don't have live bait, throw the Gulp. They should work as well. Pompano's are also in the surf. I have seen pomps over one pound, mostly caught on sand fleas, but fresh cut shrimp is working as well.

That's all I have time for right now, I will post new reports later as they come in.
The weather is beautiful on Topsail Island this morning. Why aren't you here?

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny
aka Fishin'Topsail

Flounder Fishing - Carolina Beach Inlet



Flounders have been biting at Carolina Beach Inlet for a couple of weeks now,spanish mackerel,along with a few king mackerel are showing up right along the beach here in the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina.



Capt Mike Dennis out of Carolina Beach offers live bait inshore fishing charters for families and the avid sport fishermen.

Capt.Mike Dennis



910-619-0928 Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!



Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide





May 18, 2011

Chopper Blues

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Hello from beautiful Topsail Island!
Surf City Ocean Pier is reporting huge chopper blues. Most being caught by king rigs. There are lots of them in the water, along with a few spanish. It seems the blues are running smaller fish away, only a handful of small virginia mullets and small spots are coming over the rail. A few skates, sharks and undersized flounder are being caught.
My friend Jonathon caught a nice flounder Tuesday afternoon. It bit a mud minnow fished on a carolina rig in the Topsail Sound near Banks Channel. Jonathon cooked the flounder along with fresh yellow squash and onions bought from the Surf City IGA. Charter captians are reporting nice catches of red drum in tidal creeks and grass lines. Gulp Alive baits or live finger mullets are the most successful baits. Surf fishing on Topsail Island is heating up with catches of medium size virginia mullets, chopper blues, small spots, and a black drum or two. A nice pompano was reported this week from the surf south of Surf City Ocean Pier. Offshore boats are catching some nice spanish just off the beach. It's gonna be a fine weekend, so get on down to Topsail and catch 'em up!
Don't forget the Wednesday Locals Only Specials at Surf City IGA. They have some good ones today, and remember the Wednesday specials are not just for locals, anyone can get the specials, they just aren't advertised, and you must ask the cashier or manager for the discounts. You can click on this link, Surf City IGA and get on the email list to be notified of the weekly specials as well as the Wednesday Locals Only specials.

Till next time....'
tight lines!
Johnny

May 15, 2011

Sea View Pier Update

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Hello from Topsail Beach! Below is a fishing report from Sea View Pier at North Topsail Beach.
[quote]
05-14-2011
The winds got the water murky but the fish still bit. Blues with some Spanish throughout the day but slowing towards the evening on diamond jig/plugs. Bottom fishers are getting flounder, mullet, croaker, spots, black drum, pigfish and small cobia. Chopper blues keep the king rigs busy as they pulled in around 24 from 6 to 12 pounds. No king strikes today.
[end quote]

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 14, 2011

Topsail Fishing Update

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide


Good Morning from beautiful Topsail Island! I can smell the salt air, hear the waves turning over, and hear the beautiful songs of the purple martins in the yard. God is good!

Cuz Tom went to Surf City Pier this morning, and fished from 4:30am until 6am. His report follows. Folks were arriving at the pier at a steady pace this morning. There was not much biting while was there, but the reports are good for last night. Dad fished last night and there were some nice chopper blues along with the smaller ones, and several spanish were caught also. The bite is coming mostly on the falling tide, and there is a southernly light wind blowing this morning, so it should be a good day. You have to be there to catch 'em, so head out to your favorite pier and sling some gotcha plugs this morning!  Catch 'em up!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 12, 2011

Topsail Fishing Update

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Good morning from Topsail Island. I praise God that we are able to live at the beach. We are so thankful for all our many blessings.

It's not so great weather-wise. The skys are overcast, looks like it might bust out raining any moment. I have the remnents of a migraine, so I am kicked back at home relaxing.
The fishing report;
Surf City Pier caught the first king of the year (I think first) yesterday. Will Rivenbark caught the king Wednesday morning weighing in at 15 lbs. Congrats to Will who put up a courageous effort landing the king. He fought the fish down the north side of the pier about hundred feet or so before they could get the gaf in and haul the fish over the railing. Early am, there were a few blues caught on gotchas. I know of only one spanish caught yesterday, (caught by Gary Gibson) but there may have been more caught after I left.
Sea View Pier at North Topsail Beach reports spanish and blues, good bite early, and slow but steady for the rest of the day. A king was landed Wednesday morning, a 33 pounder. Nice! Sea View also reported scattered catches of small virginia mullets and small spots throught the day.
Jolly Roger Pier reported lots of blues, a few choppers, and even a couple of 25 inch class red drum.

Surf fishing is still rather slow, or at least for me, but should improve with a few more degrees of water temps. The water temp at Onslow Bay is reported at 69*.  Sounds like spring fishing is here, it should only get better for the next month.

Thanks for reading our blog. We invite you to send us your Topsail area fishing reports and pictures. Or send us news about the Topsail area you think to be interesting. Send reports and pics to the blog email: johnny@fishintopsail.com.
Catch 'em up!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 11, 2011

Topsail Fishing Update

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><

Hello from beautiful Topsail Island! It's a wonderful day at the beach. Of course I guess they all are wonderful, right? We feel so blessed to live on Topsail Island.

Dad, my nephew Dan, and myself went fishing at Surf City Pier Tuesday morning. Weather was great, wind was light, Topsail Island water temp was 67* and very clear, and the blues and spanish made several appearances throughout the morning. The glass minnows were everywhere. School after school passed by the Surf City Pier. Gotcha plugs were the bait of the choice Tuesday morning. The sheepshead were feeding off every pier piling. The water was so clear they were plainly visible to us but they were not biting real well. Could it have been the water clarity spooked them to the baits? Don't really know. I did see one nice sheepshead landed using a sand flea. The only virginia mullets I saw were small. There were no king strikes, at least while we were there, but the king anglers were catching plenty of blues for bait. Dad and Dan fished Surf City Pier again last night, but the fish had moved on.  Surf fishing seemed a bit slow, I saw only a couple small ones while walking the beach Tuesday afternoon. Dan and Laiken failed to catch anything on an afternoon outing on the surf.
We are hopeful that the fish will show up again today. We are a bit late getting to the pier, maybe the blues and spanish will still be there............

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 10, 2011

What a great fishing season so far around area waters!




Well folks, we have had some cooler weather lately, but it seems that it has not hurt the fishing much at all. The water temps did not go down to much maybe a few degrees, but over all the fishing has been good to great most days. One thing I have seen lately is a good amount of bait showing up around the area, always a good sigh!

Redfish fishing has been pretty good the last few weeks, but one thing I’ve found is the weekdays have had more constancy of good Redfishing due to all the fishing pressure on the weekends. I have seen some very nice Reds lately coming form some shallow water spots, my clients this last week have caught some Reds over thirty two inches inshore. Those are some nice Reds for early May in shallow water and on very light tackle. Using bigger baits has paid off for me in the last two weeks with these bigger fish starting to bite.

One of the winners for me in the last few weeks for the Reds has been the Berkley Gulp Ripple Mullet, now I know I talk about this bait a lot; hey it works! Great swimming action and the proven fishing catching scent of Berkley Gulp! The colors I prefer in the Ripple Mullet are rootbeer gold/chart tail, goby magic chart tail, new penny and pearl white for the Redfish. Rig these baits on a red, black, brown or gray jig head with a thirty to fifty pound mono or fluorocarbon leader and you are good to go! I’ve never been a big user of spoons for Redfish, but I’ve been playing with a new spoon lately, well new to me at least. The spoon is a product of Sébile and it’s called an Onduspoon; let me tell you this spoon has got some action! I’ve caught some very nice Reds and Chopper Blues on this spoon in the last few weeks. The Onduspoon has rattles built in to it; great action and sound. The colors I prefer are gold, natural shiner, blue althea and red head; check them out at www.sebile.com

If you would rather go with the live/cut bait root for the Redfish, there is plenty on bait around; small mullet and menhaden are in most of the local creeks. The days I’ve caught bait, one cast of my net has yielded plenty bait for the day. Light Carolina rigs with an Eagle Claw L 42 #1 or 1/0 hook and twelve to sixteen inches of forty pound mono for leader as a rig. Fishing creek mouths, oyster rock edges and marsh grass lines will produce Redfish for you. Just remember fresh lively baits will catch more fish!

There has been just about all the Bluefish you want around the inlets lately and a good number of Spanish mackerel showing up as well. Trolling Clark spoons and small deep driver lures has been the key to success. Clark spoons in sizes #0, #00 and #1 in colors silver, gold and pink flash seem to work the best. Thirty or forty pound clear mono leader will work just fine and don’t forget the ball bearing swivels for those Clark spoons to keep you leaders from tingling up! There have been a few nice Chopper (bigger) Blues around the inlets in the last few weeks; casting bigger lures like the Onduspoon #3 or shallow water crank baits will find these bigger Blues. Just remembers a light steal leader for these fish for they will bite right through mono leaders.

Flounder fishing is really picking up around the area. Most of the Flounder are eating little menhaden and Mud minnows on light Carolina rigs. The Flounder are mixed in size to just under keeper size to a few over five pounds. I have caught some Flounder on Artificial baits as well. I have had the best luck with Berkley Gulp mud minnow in pearl white, sardine, killifish and new penny colors. Rig the grubs on a red or black jig head for best results. Flounder fishing should stay consistent right through the summer and fall.

Last but never lest; Cobia are starting to show up around the area waters. I look for Cobia around inlets, shoals and bait schools; near shore/offshore reefs and ledges are also a good place to look too. With the water being so clear it has been easier to see those brown logs in the water. We are throwing big jigs, swim baits and live bait to the Cobia. Color really does not seem to matter; but “go bright”! When I’m not sight casting for them, we are fishing around inlets, shoals and near shore artificial reefs. I float fish, bottom fish and kite fish in these areas with live menhaden, blues and mullet as bait. You can chum if you like, but the sharks will come and they will come in numbers!

Fishing Gear I use:

Reels Penn Fierce and Battle spinning in sizes 2000, 3000 & 4000 sizes. Cobia Fishing reels: Penn Battle 5000, 6000 & 7000, Penn 320LD. Line: Spiderwire Ultra-cast and Berkley Fireline braid in 8, 10 and 15 pound. Cobia Line: 30 pound Berkley Big Game Mono. Rods: Fenwick HMG GS 70M-MF, Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy. Cobia Rods: Ugly Stik Tiger Lite Jigging series in 50-100 class spinning and casting. Leader material: Berkley Big Game mono & Fluorocarbon. Stren Fluorocarbon leader material in Tannic and Gunsmoke tints; tannic for river and stained waters, gunsmoke for clear water applications.

Thanks for reading this report, if you have any questions just let me know! If you would like to go fishing drop me a line; I’m booking now for this coming summer fishing season and don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens
Ranger Boats Pro Staff
PENN Reels Elite Staff
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!

Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><

May 9, 2011

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 400 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><


Folks, fishing is good at Topsail!  The big story today is a 30lb king mackerel caught in the surf! Don't have any details. Check out East Coast Sports facebook page for a picture.

Big chopper blues in the surf and all piers. Limits of blues are being caught everywhere. Spanish are tearing up the gotcha plugs early am at all three piers. Red drum are in the sound and near the inlets, with a few caught along the beach. Black drum and virginia mullets are biting all along the beach. Best and biggest catches are at night. Don't miss out on this action. Get on down here and filll your limits! I'll be at Surf City Pier in the morning with my Dad and nephew Dan. Hope to see you there!
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 8, 2011

Kings!

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><

Kings, spanish, and chopper blues are the order of the day. The blues and spanish are hitting gotcha plugs and the blues are also being caught on bottom rigs, mostly on cut bait. All piers are reporting nice catches of spanish and big chopper bluefish. I think all three Topsail Island Piers have landed kings, but it's not confirmed. Nice catches of virginia mullets are coming over the pier rails at night. Saturday, I saw the first virginia mullet I have seen caught in the surf. Bait was cut shrimp. Maybe it's time to go surf fishing......

It's time.... Catch 'em up!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 4, 2011

Chopper Blues in the Surf!

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><

Hello from Topsail Beach! I am posting a facebook post from my friend Michael. He says it all. This is why we love fishing, especially surf fishing. Unfortunately, days like this one don't come around too often. But when they do......... The experience is Priceless! Thanks for posting Michael.

[quote]
Michael Brandi Cunningham to Johnny Horner

"man johnny choppers in surf, Fished monday evening with cut bait in a nice slough. First cast hook a monster chopper, got em to the breakers where he jumped and snapped leader. I used 60 lb leader, i cause u do have to use wire for them big ones. After that it slowed down till dark. Then i preceded to hook jumbo one after the other. Average size 7-8 lbs. Got a few up on the sand but man those r some hard fighting fish. Hooked some that just striped line jumped and broke me off. I got hits so hard the poles bout went for a swim! After i seen that i made sure drag was set rt. The bite lasted 2 hrs. could only use one pole. Crazy bluefishing from surf, Nothing better!!!!!!!!!"
[end quote]

Blues are biting hard folks. The last couple of days has been a bit slow, but Monday and Tuesday, the blues hit the beach. Huge blues are being caught by the king guys at the end of the pier, as well as on gotcha plugs and bottom rigs. Folks, if you love casting for fish, the time is now. Besides the blues, spanish are moving in. There have been reports of limits of spanish from the pier. I can't confirm this, but I am not doubting it. It's time.

NIghts are producing some nice catches of virginia mullets and puffers from the piers, and blues in the surf. Flounder are in the sounds and the folks gigging are getting their limits with some really nice flounder in the mix.

If you ain't fishing this week, you might miss out on some good times.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

May 3, 2011

First King Strike

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
&lt;*))))>&lt; &lt;*))))>&lt; &lt;*))))>&lt; &lt;*))))>&lt; &lt;*))))>&lt;

The Sea View Pier reported the first king strike of the season on Monday. Unfortunately it wasn't landed. The blue bite turned on about 7pm Monday. Reports are every cast caught a fish. There was one Chopper Blue reported caught on a gotcha plug. The mullet bite was slow all day Monday, but picked up a bit Monday night.

Surf City Pier reported lots of blues with a few small spanish Saturday, and chopper blues Sunday. The mullet bite is slow, but a bit better at night.

Surf fishing is really slow with the only action I am aware of at the south end near New Topsail Inlet. Red drum have been caught near the inlet and in the sound.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

April 30, 2011

Topsail Fishing Report

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><


Fishing is picking up here at Topsail. All the piers are reporting blues on gotcha plugs in the early am. Keeper spanish have been caught on Surf City Pier and Sea View Pier. Virginia mullet continue to bite, best time is at night. We are seeing more black drum and red drum as the water warms. Flounder are being caught, mostly small, but a couple of nice keepers have come over the rails at Surf City Pier. Very small spots and croakers are mixed in the bunch. And of course, sharks, rays, and puffers are being caught also. I haven't personally caught many puffers this year compared with previous years. I would love to catch enough for a good meal. I love the fish, even though they are hard to dress. I am really enjoying fishing at Surf City Pier this year and catching up with my fishing friends. Catch 'em up! Oh by the way, the Surf City Pier grill, along with their delicious hot dogs and mosquito burger, has a new burger this year. It's a turkey burger and it is GOOD!  A healthy choice for a good lunch / dinner at a great grill. Check it out. Thanks to all the pier folks, especially Vinita and Terry, for making our fishing trips interesting and fun. Surf City Pier is a great place to take kids fishing. It's a dry pier, (no alcohol) and my grand children love going there. The staff is extraordinally friendly to all kids. So, take a kid fishing! It is always great seeing a kid catch a fish, especially their first.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Oregon Inlet article

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><


This is a story about the eventual closing of Oregon Inlet. I enjoyed reading it. Hope you do also. It's a shame the inlet might close. It supports so many families and communities. The economic losses will suprise us. The link is below.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/26/v-print/1153673/oregon-inlet-2011-how-we-got-here.html

April 27, 2011

Great area weather and Great area Fishing!





The weather has been just right lately for good inshore and near shore fishing; the great thing is the fishing has been great too! I feel that we are about two weeks ahead of the normal water temps and fishing for this time of year! Here is this weeks fishing report>>>

I’m seeing Bonita, Blues and a few Spanish when we are trolling off the beach to five miles off. Trolling Clark spoons and small deep driver lures has been the key to success. When using the Clark spoons, I would recommend the pink flash spoon in sizes #00, #0 and #1; the pink flash series has really helped me put more fish in the boat. A bird rig on top with a Clark spoon about five to six feet behind it or Blue water Candy Spanish daisy chain (blue, silver, pink) have worked very well on top too. Look for birds working or marking bait on you fish finder is the way to find the feeding fish. When the fish are not on top, I’ve caught some nice Blues and a few Bonita by casting a spoon out and letting it sink down before reeling is in. I’ve found that some times these fish are deeper and you can get them by getting down to deeper water.



With all this warm air lately the Redfish and Black drum have been moving in to the shallower waters. I caught some very nice Reds and Black drum this last few weeks in waters of five to as shallow as one foot deep. The trick for the Reds has been Berkley Gulp Alive in patterns three inch Shrimp and Mud minnow; fishing these baits around docks, oyster rocks and grass lines. Going with lighter jig heads 1/16oz and 1/8oz is working well on the fish that are in one to five foot of water. Bait fishing is still good and will continue right through the summer. Red and Black drum are hitting cut shrimp and mullet on Carolina rigs around the same areas; docks, oyster rocks etc… You never know how big or little the drum will be when you are bait fishing; we’ve had reds as small as fourteen inches and as big as over thirty inches lately.

The Flounder fishing should really start to pick soon, I look for Flounder around the inlets and just off the beach in the spring/early summer mouths. Small baits like mud minnows are great ‘Flounder finder’ baits, you can use these baits for a long time before they die and they are pretty easy to catch. Another way I really like to catch Flounder is with five inch Berkley Gulp Jerkshad; the pinfish don’t seem to tear these apart quite as fast as live baits. Just rig the Berkley Gulp Jerkshad like any grub and keep the flat side of the Jerkshad facing up where the hook comes out. Don’t really worry too much about color, but I would recommend going with brighter colors for Flounder fishing.

Fishing Gear I use:

Reels Penn Fierce and Battle spinning in sizes 2000, 3000 & 4000 sizes. Line: Spiderwire Ultra-cast and Berkley Fireline braid in 8, 10 and 15 pound. Rods: Fenwick HMG GS 70M-MF, Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy. Leader material: Berkley Big Game mono & Fluorocarbon. Stren Fluorocarbon leader material in Tannic and Gunsmoke tints; tannic for river and stained waters, gunsmoke for clear water applications.

Thanks for reading this report, if you have any questions just let me know! If you would like to go fishing drop me a line; I’m booking now for this coming summer fishing season and don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens
Ranger Boats Pro Staff
PENN Reels Elite Staff
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139


Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><

April 22, 2011

Bigger dredge to help keep Oregon Inlet open

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><



WRAL TV 5 in Raleigh posted this note concerning Oregon Inlet.
WRAL Web Editor: Matthew Burns

Here is the link to the story on WRAL T V5.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

April 21, 2011

Blues Biting Hard

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><



Hello from Topsail Beach. The Jolly Roger Pier reports that the blues were biting gotcha plugs on every cast this morning. Hate I missed it. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

April 20, 2011

Surf City Pier: Virginia Mullet Bite Good

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><



Hello from Topsail Island. I fished the Surf City Pier this am. The va mullet bite was really good. I caught several nice (one pound plus) mullets and several smaller keepers and released a number of small fish. There was a gray trout, several spots, and a couple of sharks that were undersized and released. There was a nice crowd there, and lots of talk about last nights catch. In the early am, there were lots of small blues caught on gotcha plugs, with some anglers keeping their limit of 15 blues each. These were not big chopper blues, but were reported to be "nice cooking size.

Jolly Roger Pier fishing report: [quote] "Fishing Report 4/18/11; A 25 inch puppy drum was caught by Jim Tsioumos Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning had blues on GotCha lures in good numbers. The mullet bite is still happening as well. Good Spring fishing!" [end quote]

Sea View Pier fishing report for 04-18-2011 [quote] "Today started off just like the last few days with a good blue fish bite in the morning’s high tide. Blue up to 3 pounds have been landed on plugs and jigs. Those fishing bait on the bottom have been getting sea mullets, croakers, spots, black drum, grey trout, skates, sharks and larger cow nose rays. Cow nose rays up to 30 pounds have been hooked and released." [end quote]




I saw large sand fleas in one anglers bucket, that were raked up under the SC pier at low tide yesterday. Spring fishing is quickle falling into place. With winds out of the south and west, the middle 60 degree water should warm quickly.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

April 16, 2011

Surf City Pier Update 4-16-2011 _ Jordan's First Fish!

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><



Surf City Pier angler Jordan with her first caught fish EVER! A nice pan sized virginia mullet. Congratulations Jordan! Good job!



There was a good bite at Surf City Pier Friday night. Anglers that left before 9pm missed out on a good run of virginia mullets. Most of the nice cooler of mullets were caught near or at the end of the pier. Congrats to the family that caught these nice fish!


The mullet bite slowed a bit today, with the storms heading our way the sea is really "angry." High waves, wind and whitecaps as far as you can see. Todays water temps: Today's Topsail Island Sea Temperature is: 15.7 °C (60 °F) thanks to www.surf-forcast.com.

Till next time....
tight lines!
Johnny

April 15, 2011

SC Pier Update

Fishing is slow at Surf City pier today. I have seen 2 nice va mullets, along with small mullets and puffers. NE wind, stiff and cool. Reports of nice catches here after 7pm last evening.
Johnny
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

April 11, 2011

Finally Home

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><




Hello from Topsail Beach, North Carolina.
I am home from the hospital and kidney stone surgery. Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers. A couple of days rest and I'll see you all on the beach soon.

I hear there are some sea mullets biting from the piers. Got a good report from Surf City pier, sea mullets, puffers, small spots, dogfish and skates. No reports of blues yet from the SC pier. Heard of a couple small blues on bottom rigs from Jolly Roger. Sea View reports sharks, a few mullets, small spots and slicks. I heard of some catches of reds at the south end at New Topsail Inlet and across the inlet at Lee island. Surf fishing very slow everywhere else.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

March 27, 2011

Surf City Pier Opening

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 380 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2011 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><



Surf City Ocean Pier opened Friday to cold winds, but a nice crowd. The winner of the season fishing pass for catching the first sea mullet was a local angler familiar to all of us who fish SC Pier regularly, Paul. Paul caught the winner about 9:50am. We are glad a familiar face won the prize this year. Fishing was a bit slow, the virginia mullet Paul caught was about 10 inches long, a good frying size. There were other fish caught, very small croakers, spots, slicks (a member of the cod family, I think), and a few dogfish and skates. The wind was out of the North and very cold. A few brave souls stayed after the pass was won, but not many. My Dad and I left by 10:30am. It was just too cold for me. Dad went back Saturday and caught a nice virginia mullet that went the freezer, but nothing more. I stayed in with a bad cough. Cold and raining today. Congrats to Paul for his catch. See all my friends on the pier when the weather warms just a bit. Go ahead and say it, I know I am getting old and the cold hurts these old bones. I'll be happy when the weather warms a bit.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

March 22, 2011

Surf City Pier Opens Friday!

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 350 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2010 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><


I have gotten good fishing reports from all three piers this weekend. Dogfish, sea mullets, puffers, and even a couple of spots were reported caught over the weekend. It's picking up folks. The weather is wonderful! Surf City Pier has it's Annual Grand Opening on Friday the 25th, at 6am, only a few days away. First virginia mullet wins a FREE SEASON PASS! I hope to see you out there, although I will probably be caughing my head off. So if you see an angler with no head baiting with shrimp, it's probably me. See you on the pier!



Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

March 17, 2011

Video of State Record Tarpon Caught from Sea View Pier

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 350 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2010 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><

Here is a Video of State Record Tarpon Caught from Sea View Pier. I would have loved to see the "King Shuffle" on the end of the pier that day! What fun! Not sure when the fish was caught. I know it was several years ago. Enjoy. I did!





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

March 1, 2011

Found a current Fishing Report our of Carolina Beach

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 350 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2010 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.
<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><

I have been doing a lot of cyber fishing while I've been sick. Today I found a current fishing report which is rare this time of year. It's Liveline Charters out of Wilmington, NC. 
To read this report on the Liveline Charters Website, click here.

Here are a couple of pictures to get you started.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

February 25, 2011

Warmer Weather and Hot Fishing around the area waters; Spring Time!






Wow, what a difference some warm weather makes on fishing! This has been some of the best February weather I’ve ever seen around southeast North Carolina in a very long time! The great thing it has really gotten the fish moving and starting to feed some around the local waters. And that’s what I’m going to go over in this fishing report.

I love saltwater fishing but, I like any kind of fish pulling on my line salt or fresh and this time of year you can catch some really nice fresh water fish. I have run a few fresh water trips in the last few weeks with some pretty good success; we even got a few very nice bass on a fly rod early last week that went just over six pounds. Fishing local lakes, ponds and the Northeast Cape Fear River has been producing good catches of large-mouth bass. The best baits lately have been Berkley Powerbait 5” Sinkworms in colors green pumpkin/watermelon, black with red flake and watermelon. I’m rigging these worms Texas and wacky style on 4/0 wide gap worm hooks. When we are casting the fly rod we are using; six to eight weight rods with floating line and eight to twelve pound tippets.

One fish that has just been waiting for the water to warm up just a bit is the good’ole Redfish; they are on the move and biting! We are seeing the Reds on the shallow mud and oyster flats now in good numbers. Capt Jeff Wolfe and I gave it a shot last week and ended up with just over forty-five Redfish for the day. All the Reds hit Berkley Gulp 3” shrimp in colors natural and molting on 1/8oz and 1/4oz jig heads with twenty pound Stren tinted tannic fluorocarbon leader. There have been a few schools of Reds around the local inlets and just off the beaches if we can get the weather to go get them!

The Cape Fear River Stripers are biting from time to time; it got a little cold for them but with this nice warm up they should start biting. The Stripers are hitting Berkley gulp jerk shad 5” in colors pearl, new penny and electric chicken. We rig the jerk shad Texas style, with a large 5/0 worm hook. Rapala X-raps work too, in colors glass ghost and green back. Remember, still work the lures slow for the water is warming up but it’s still a little cold.

I would like to thank everyone who has attended the fishing schools, seminars and boat shows I’ve spoke at this winter, it always good to see everyone. There have been some very good seminars/schools this winter and the turnouts have been great, thanks again for attending. If anyone has any questions about any of the classes I spoke at, please feel free to e-mail the questions any time to captainjot@yahoo.com There are a few more good fishing functions you can attend this spring, here are a few more I’ll be at in the near feature.

February 26th and 27th Bass Pro Shop 2011 Spring Fishing Classic, Myrtle Beach, SC. I’ll be answering any questions you have about products made by Penn, Spidwire, Berkley, Fenwick, Minn Kota, MirrOlure and many others you want to purchase at this sale. Bass Pro is also offering there Reel Trade-Ins program for you to save money on your new reels purchased from Bass Pro.

March 26th: Tex’s Tackle Spring Sale and Fishing Seminars. Yes it’s that time of year again Tex’s big spring sale, Tex will have all kinds of good deals on tackle to get you started for this upcoming fishing season. I’ll be to help you with any questions you have about tackle and I’ll also being doing a seminar or two on inshore fishing.

*If you know any one or your looking for a Bay boat my 2008 Ranger Bay 2200 is for sale please look at this link for all the info on this well maintained Ranger. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2008-Ranger-2200-Bay-97953352 If you have any questions or would like to see/test drive please let me know.

Fishing gear I use:

Gear used: Redfish, Bass and Striped Bass: reels Penn Conquer 2000 and Battle 2000 & 3000 spinning reels. Fenwick HMG GS 70M-MF for Redfish, Bass and Striped Bass. Line: Spiderwire Ultracast ten and fifth teen pound. Fluorocarbon leader material, Stren Tinted Fluorocarbon in tints Gunsmoke for clearer waters and Tannic for river or stained waters in thirty pound for Redfish and Striped Bass.

Thanks for reading, hope to see you at a boat show or fishing seminar this winter; please come by and say hello.

Captain Jot Owens
Ranger Boats Pro Staff
Penn Reels Elite Staff
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

Check out our Facebook Message Board Over 350 members and growing!
Do you know the current North Carolina size and catch limits?
Find out here2010 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Make a Comment? Read Comments?
Click on the COMMENTS button on bottom of this post.

<*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))>< <*))))><