Brother Jess withBIG LARGEMOUTH BASS !!!!!!

While Dad and I were catching ..... skates ....... sharks ...... stingrays.... and snapper blues, my bass fishing brother, Jesse was catching the big bass in the picture above. Don't know the weight, any guess? I say at least 7 pounds. But it's been so long since I have seen a bass this big, I may be wrong. Don't know what the bait was, maybe I can get some details later. Jess lives in Toano, Virginia. Man they grow 'em big up there! Good job Jess!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Everybody has to be somewhere..... I'll be fishing!

Surf City Pier Update

Still getting blues on gotchas in the morning and evenings. Plenty of sea mullets at night with a few black drum mixed in. A black drum weighing 28 lbs (yea, t w e n t y - e i g h t pounds) was caught this week. Some small crokers and small flounder. Still not many keepers. Spanish still not showing up, but I am hearing there are a few being caught offshore, so just waiting for the water to warm a bit more. Weather is nice, although a little windy, and no rain is forcast until Thursday afternoon.

Till next time....
tight lines!
Johnny

Surf City Pier Report

Blues are biting gotchas and grubs in the mornings. Some up to two pounds have come over the rail. No spanish yet, probable at least two more weeks before they show up. Sea mullets are here! As you may know, the sea mullets usually follow the giant manta rays, and there are hundreds of these giants cruising the beach. There have been sea mullet catches of more than fifty fish most nights at the pier. The bite seems to start about 11:00 pm. A few black drum and one speckled trout was caught this week. The occasional flounder that bite are still small. Bigger ones should be showing up anytime. The surf still isn't producing much. An occasional mullet or black drum, but it seems that most of the fish are still beyond the sand bar, hard to reach from the shore. Better go get you some before the crowds show up and the pier gets crowded.

NOTE: East Coast Sports, Herrings Outdoor Sports, Surf City Pier, Thomas Bait and Tackle, and One Stop Bait and Tackle have all just received their spring shipments of merchandise. From tackle to clothing, the selections are great! Visit these dealers and support the local businesses. Thank you for your support.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Everybody's got to be somewhere..... I'll be fishing!

Rod-Man Charters Fishing Report

Hi Folks,
The past week has seen the fishing really taking off. We have had good catches of bonito, bluefish, red and black drum and more. As the weather continues its spring progress, more and more fish will be in the area.
Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Red and black drum are still biting on the falling tide. Fresh shrimp or GULP fished on a carolina rig have both produced fish. The red’s are biting, but look for the bite to improve quickly over the next few days.

Near shore: Bluefish and gray trout continue to bite well at the 3 and 5 mile AR’s. Also, and very important are the good numbers of Atlantic bonito we are catching. Yesterday we had a catch of several bluefish and six bonito in right at two hours. We have caught them trolling slow with Yozuri Crystal Minnow Deep Divers and with jigging spoons, either sight casting or deep jigging.

Offshore: King mackerel continue to hold in the 23 to 35 mile areas. I am getting many reports of folks limiting out EARLY.

Gulfstream: The wahoo bite is strong. Yellowfin are starting to bite well.

FYI: The season is really starting to get busy. If you do not receive a weekly report in your email, please check my fishing reports page: http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingreports/I will do my best to at least post a report here weekly. And you can always check this page and the Photo Gallery for the latest photos.

The pictures tell only part of the story. Come join us for a great day of fishing fun.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!
Captain Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

Current Adventure Fishing Report-4/22/07

Fishing on Sunday was awesome. I had Randy and his Dad Dean aboard and we just flat wore the fish out. Our original goal was to catch some Bonito's, but when they didn't appear, we changed tatics and it paid off.

We went to some nearshore ledges and caught Bluefish, Black Bass, Flounder, Bontio, Grunts, Tautog and assorted other bottom dwellers. All fish were caught vertically jigging metal spoons. The ocean was beautiful and the fishing was just great!!!!

It's time to go fishing so give me a call and book you trip today!!!

Capt. Brent Stanley

Current Adventure Charters

910.200.9959

www.currentadventurecharters.com

Fishing at Topsail

There isn't much going on from the surf, but the piers are doing OK. Small blues in the morning and evening on gotchas, sea mullets and black drum on bottom rigs and cut shrimp. A few flounder mostly undersized, and the occasional speckled trout. I have seen some big sea mullets, about two pounds, and up to four pound black drum. Good luck!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Everybody has to be somewhere..... I'll be fishing!

Freedom isn't FREE! Someone has paid for you and for me.
Pray for our troops and their families.

Surf City Pier Today

Went fishing to Surf City Pier today. I didn't do well, but I saw some nice fish. I saw two almost keeper flounder, several large black drum, some really nice two pound sea mullets, and lots of snapper blues. All except the blues were caught on bottom rigs and shrimp. Most of the snapper blues bit gotcha plugs and grubs fished close to the surface. There were a few blues on bottom rigs also.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny "FishinTopsail"

Every has to be somewhere..... I'll be fishing!

Freedom is NOT FREE!!!
Someone has paid for you and for me.

Rod-Man Report April 19, 2007

Rod-Man Report April 19, 2007:

Hi Folks,
High wind and cool temperatures and rain and basically just plain tough weather have hampered fishing somewhat. But, in-between gust and showers, we have managed some good catches nearshore and inshore. As the weather “normalizes” expect all over action to heat up fast.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: We have had some nice catches of black drum and a few reds as well. Most action has been on shrimp, but that will cease soon as the pinfish are starting to show up…ugh.
Near shore: Bluefish have been strong at the mouth of the inlets as well as on the near shore artificial reefs. They have been biting squid and jigging spoons. Some gray trout are still biting. Have not seen much in the way of bonito yet, but then have had few days this past week when I could get out. Expect them any day when things calm down a bit.
Offshore: Again weather has hampered fishing in this area. I have heard reports of kings in the 23 mile rock area as well as around Frying Pan Tower.
Gulfstream: We all know the fish are there this time of year, but no reports due to high winds.

Be sure to take a look at my video section. We have added one on black drum and will be adding throughout the year. The videos may be accessed from my home page at www.rodmancharters.com. And, see new pics at http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingreports.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!

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

RECREATIONAL LICENSE SPENDING PLAN ON AGENDA

Below is a notice I received from the NC Marine Fisheries. A meeting has been scheduled to discuss alocation of funds from the NC Saltwater Fishing License. This is our voice. A voice that we as saltwater sports enthusiasts have never had. Please plan to attend this meeting if you can arrange it. The more of us that are there, the louder the voice. Lets don't let "them" throw these funds away. Make them count. Make your voice and opinions count. Attend this meeting.

Till next time...
Tight lines!
Johnny "FishinTopsail"
Everybody has to be somewhere..... I'll be fishing!
FREEDOM isn't FREE! Someone has paid for you and for me.


N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources


Release: Immediate Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: April 17, 2007 Phone: (252) 726-7021




RECREATIONAL LICENSE SPENDING PLAN ON AGENDA

MOREHEAD CITY – The state would name the first recipients of grants funded by
Coastal Recreational Fishing License revenues early next year under a plan that
goes before the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission at its April 25-27 meeting in
Kill Devil Hills.

The MFC is scheduled to vote on funding priorities and a funding process
time line. The time line calls for requesting grant proposals this summer.
Accepted proposals would then go through peer reviews in the fall and the MFC
and Wildlife Resources Commission would decide on them by Feb. 15, 2008.

Grant recipients would be notified in the spring with the funding cycle
beginning July 1.

Both the MFC and WRC must approve all spending of license revenues.

A committee consisting of three MFC members and three WRC members endorsed the
draft priorities and time line April 4. The full WRC is expected to consider the
draft plan at its May 18 meeting.

Revenues from license sales go into two different funds, depending on the type
of license. Expenditures from both funds must be used to manage, protect,
restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and enhance the marine resources.

Revenues from the sale of all lifetime coastal fishing licenses and a portion of
the lifetime unified hunting and statewide fishing licenses go into a N.C.
Marine Resources Endowment Fund. Only the interest of this account may be spent.

Revenues from the sale of annual and 10-day coastal fishing licenses and a
portion of the annual unified hunting and statewide fishing licenses go into a
N.C. Marine Resources Fund. The MFC and WRC may authorize spending the principal
of this account.

The MFC business meeting begins at 9 a.m. April 26 and 8:30 a.m. April 27 at the
Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills. The commission will hear public comments at 7
p.m. April 25 at the same location.

For more information about this meeting, or the attached agenda, contact
Patricia Smith by e-mail at tricia.smith@ncmail.net or by calling (800) 682-2632
or (252) 726-7021.

# # #
nr-11-07

Fishing at Surf City

If you want to fish at Surf City or Topsail Island today, especially in the surf, better tie your boat anchor to the bottom rig. Wind is fierce! Tides are extremely high, and the surf is as rough as I have seen it in a while. Almost reminds me of a hurricane surf. ssshhhhh! Did I say hurricane out loud? This will be good for fishing I think, because the surf has been so calm, that the bottom has flattened out and there wan not many holes or troughs. This rough surf should create some new holes to fish in. We just have to get out and find them. Up until this weekend, the fishing has been pretty good. Sea mullets and black drum have been caught from all the piers. Black drum and speckled trout are in the backwaters off the ICW. Get your tackle ready, and after the storm passes, get out and get some fish! Just a note, you might want to consider calling in sick at work and coming during the week. It's been bad weather every weekend this month. Just a thought.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Everybody's got to be somewhere..... I'll be fishing!

Freedom isn't FREE!
Someone has paid for you and for me.

Topsail Angler Column

Hi, My fishing bud Mike at Topsail Angler Blog, has published this weeks fishing column. Mike writes a fishing report column for the Topsail Advertiser newspaper. Mike also publishes it on his blog. Click this link to read it. www.hampsteadfishing.blogspot.com Thanks Mike, we enjoy your weekly column.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

News Flash! Speckled Trout!

Speckled trout were being caught yesterday in the ICW around structure. Nice trout in the two pound range were being caught on white grubs with blue split tail. (Don't know the brand name) Neighbor and fishing bud Tommy caught his trout on Gulp Saltwater white shrimp, 4 inch. Go gettum while they are out there!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Rod Man Fishing Report

Thanks Capt. Rick for this report.
Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny


Rod-Man Report April 12, 2007

Hi Folks,
Fishing is picking up daily now. From bluefish to bonito, to black drum, action has been strong this past week. The weather is still a bit wild, but on the good days we have had some very nice catches.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Water temps are still in the 61-64 degree range. Black drum have been biting fresh shrimp fished on carolina rigs on the falling tide. We had one trip where we caught 22 between 2 and 5 pounds(see pics below). A few reds are making the sceen, but nothing large yet. Some trout are around and are best caught on artificials with GULP providing the best action.
Near shore: Bluefish are biting very well and with some good size too. Around the inlets you can catch them jigging or on bait, with some ranging up to five pounds. At the near shore reefs they are plentiful and an occasional bonito can be had too. Again, using jigging spoons is working well.
Offshore: Kings are still biting well in the 30-40 mile range (at the 69 degree break), with Frying Pan Tower being one of the hot spots.
Gulfstream: Wahoo continue to be very strong here. Yellowfin are starting to show very well also. The only problem has been the weather and the winds too high for many gulfstream trips.

Be sure to check out our latest pics t http://www.rodmancharters.com/fishingreports/

Look for a new video coming soon on one of our black drum trips. We will be publishing videos on various fishing trips all through the season. We will also be doing some instructional videos as the year goes along. You’ll be able to “catch” them all in the video section listed on our home page. Stand by for more.

Let’s Go Fishing!!!
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Charters
910-799-6120

Tuesday Night

I haven't fished in several days, but I am excited about going when I can get out. The blues are biting gotcha plugs from Surf City Pier. Sea mullets, small croakers, small spots, and puffers are all biting cut shrimp. There is even an occasional small flounder. In the surf it's much of the same. The bite is kinda slow with the weather moving in, but should improve later in the week. Calling for rain all day Wednesday, 80% chance, so it will probably be Thursday before I can go. But that's OK, I am allowed to fish that day, since it ends in a "Y"!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Everybody has to be somewhere.... I'll be fishing!

Freedom isn't FREE! Someone has paid for you and for me.
Pray for our troops and their families.

Computer Problems, Migraine

Sorry I haven't posted recently. I have had a bad migraine, in the bed since Thursday night. Also my main computer crashed, I can't even get it to boot. My old computer is not running very well. I will post when I can. Sorry for the problems.
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Opening Weekend at SC Pier, Pretty Good!

Surf City Pier opened officially Friday morning at 6 am. They have been open off and on for a couple of weeks, but nothing regular. I arrived at the pier at 5:45 am, accompanied by my grandson Zack and son-in-law Ryan, and had bait in the water before 6. The free season pass eluded us once again, as pier fishing friend Alan snagged the first mullet at about 6:30 am or so. As you probably know, I was supposed to win the free season pass by catching the first mullet. I have been bragging on some message boards that I had it in the bag. Oh well, maybe next year. I knew it wouldn't take long the way we have been catching mullets before Friday. Alan in an avid king fisherman, so he paid the difference and got his season king pass. Alan is still in school, so he had to leave for classes just as soon as he got the pass out of the way. So now Alan is all set for the coming king season. Alan is such a nice guy, that I must say that if I couldn't win the pass, I am glad Alan did win it. It couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy. During the day Friday, there were several nice sized mullets caught, I'm estimating some about 2 lbs or more and a few puffers. Speaking of puffers, could anyone tell me the difference between a puffer and a toad fish? A pier angler told me he ate puffers, but didn't eat toads. I thought they were the same. OK, back to the fishing. We fished until late Friday afternoon, and caught a few fish, which we promptly devoured for supper Friday night. Saturday morning was spent eating breakfast with Donna's mom Bernice, better known locally as Ms. Lee, at Batt's Grill. After a wonderful breakfast of country ham, scrambled eggs, grits, and a pancake, it was off to the pier for Zack, Ryan and myself. We set lines about 11 or so, and soon had the first puffer in the cooler. Following the puffer was a variety of puffers, sea mullets, spots, and even a bluefish. Of course there were the skates and stingrays. They seem to always be around. I saw a lot of nice Va. mullets pulled over the rail Saturday and on into Saturday night. Zack and Ryan and I had a wonderful day on the pier, we got a bit red, but no serious sunburn, and we caught a lot of fish. Zack was happy. They had to return home to Burlington, NC. Sunday morning, and with them they took four quart freezer bags full of fish fillets. I talked to Ryan about 7 Sunday evening and they were about to eat their fill of fresh fish. First of the season.

I want to say hello to our new pier fishing friends, Jim and Susan, and Jeff and Jamey. We really enjoyed the evening of fishing and conversation. Hope to see you soon!


Keep in mind, that...
Freedom isn't Free!
Someone has already paid for you and for me.

Everybody has to be somewhere. I'll be fishing!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny