East coast Sports End of Summer Sale!

Hello from Surf City!






Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!

Hello from Surf City!
There is an abundance of sharks in the surf this week. Portions of the beach have been closed to swimming on several days. Large sharks, 8 to 10 footers, have been cruising the surf, just behind the breakers. I have heard that the sharks are chasing fish right onto the beach. Fishing bud Tommy, told me about a "doormat" flounder that was chased right up to him while he was wading and casting a grub. Tommy has caught a couple of nice keeper flounder, 16 to 20 inches long, and has released a sizable number of flounder that was under the 14 1/2 inches size limit. Tommy said he was "sharing the ocean with the sharks". Not this boy....... they can have it!

Fishing bud Ken caught a nice over the limit drum (29 1/2 inches) from Surf City Pier. There was a report of a sea mullet that weighed in excess of two pounds pulled over the rail at SC Pier. One angler reportedly caught 6 nice size spade fish from the SC Pier also. Usually I have caught these angel fish look-alike under the pier, but these were caught some distance from the pier. Of course anglers are catching large sharks, and a good number of anglers have been "spooled" by large sharks hooked in the surf. There was a short run of spots, about two to three hours at SC Pier. Unfortunately there weren't many anglers out to catch them.

On the inside, the flounder bite is improving, drift a carolina rigged finger mullet. Trout and red drum fishing continues to be good, when you can find them. They are usualy in the shallow bays off the ICW at low tide, and along grass lines during the high tide.

Can't wait for the fall fishing.


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Viewing Hours Extended for Base of Bodie Island Lighthouse

Hello from Surf City!
The public will continue to have the opportunity to walk inside the base of the Bodie Island Lighthouse after Labor Day. Although the tower is not open for climbing, the base will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct 8, 2007.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore volunteers will be available to greet visitors wishing to view the old oil house and gaze up the spiraling cast iron staircase of the 1873 tower. Visitors can listen to stories of the light station's past as well as hear plans of future restoration projects, including a major repair of the 214 steps anticipated to begin in 2009.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. The tower is located a short distance south of Nags Head in a quiet and picturesque setting, adjacent to a freshwater pond and the old light keeper's dwelling that currently serves as a Seashore visitor center. The lighthouse base may be open additional hours when volunteers are available.

For more information, call (252) 441-5711.





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Check this out!

Hello from Surf City! Check out this picture. It's not fishing, but it's very thought provoking.





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Migraines and Computer Problems!

Hello from Surf City! Migraines and computer problems. But you haven't missed much. About the only thing biting is puppy drum and baby flounder. My fishing bud Ken caught a red that was no longer a puppy, but a "Big Dog". Over the slot at 28 1/2 inches long, and was released. Nice fish Ken! Fishin bud Tommy, has caught several keeper flounder in the surf, fishing with Gulp Saltwater baits. Along with the keepers, he released a bunch of smaller ones. Fish'em up!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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55092

Topsail Angler Fishing Report

Hello from Surf City! Here is the latest fishing and catching report from fellow angler and fishing bud, Mike from Hampstead, AKA "Topsail Angler".

Nice Folks & a catching report

This past week-end I discovered something I already knew. Has that ever happened to you?

I entered the Surf City Pier’s fishing tournament and arrived bright and early Saturday. Ready to catch fish and hopeful of winning one of the top prizes, I set-up my gear and began to fish. I did plenty of fishing, not a lot of catching mind you, but a lot of fishing.

I didn’t know any of the folks in my general vicinity but it wasn’t long before several of us struck up a conversation. This repeated through out the day as people would come and go. I noticed the same thing happening all over the pier, strangers meeting each other and making new friends.

That’s when the revelation hit me. You know -- the thing that I already knew but just discovered. Fishermen and women are nice people. Every time I go fishing in a place where there are other anglers near by (like the pier), I meet new people, nice people. Helpful people too – need to borrow a net or a pair of pliers, no problem there will be several willing to lend them to you. Need advice on how to tie that rig, you count on someone nearby that will be eager to help you.

As I pondered this idea, it also occurred to me that another group of people are like anglers. Campers! My wife and I enjoy camping, both on the beaches near by and in the mountains. We always meet very nice people camping too.

As I discussed this idea with a friend I had just made on the pier, he says to me “maybe it’s because being in the outdoors helps people relax and relieves the stress”. Ah – I think he’s on to something! Fishing, camping and many other activities where we enjoy God’s creation helps us to relax. Then the best in us shines bright!

So my conclusion is this, if you are feeling stressed out or just need to meet some new friends, go fishing!

Catching report

On the piers the early morning bite seems to be the best overall with some nice fish also being caught in the evenings. The hot weather has slowed down the inshore bite but anglers are catching flounder, black drum, blues, spots, some nice pound plus pompano and a few croaker, just not a lot of them. There also have been some nice Spanish caught but mainly on live bait.

In the creeks and waterway the puppy drum continue to feed near the marsh banks and docks. Some very nice flounder are being caught near the inlets with the first two hours of the rising tide be the most productive for many anglers. The gray trout have started to show up on the nearby ledges and live bottom. To target the grays, try bouncing a diamond jig or sting silver near the bottom.

With the very warm near shore waters, the king mackerel and mahi have moved back out into the 10 - 20 mile range and can be found on the ledges in 70 -90 feet of water. The best king action seems to be coming from live bait slow trolled on the downriggers. The sailfish are still in close but the bite has slowed down.

Off shore some nice catches of grouper, black sea bass, snapper, and grunts are coming off the bottom. Wahoo and billfish remain favorite targets in the Gulf Stream for those days when the seas allow anglers to get out that far.

Tight lines to all!
Thanks Mike, for a great report.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Rod-Man report

Hello from Surf City! Below is the Rod-Man fishing report from Capt Rick Bennet. Check out Rod-Man Charters for your next fishing experience.

Rod-Man report

Hi Folks, The weather is still hot, but we are already seeing some signs of “fall fishing” activity. The finger mullet population is one of the biggest I have seen. Some big spanish mackerel have moved in and the flounder bite keeps improving. Big reds have been patrolling the nearshore reefs. The Rod-Man, along with daughter Kathy and son Ricky, fished the local first annual Wolfpack “Back the Pack” tourney and we took home the largest spanish mackerel (female angler) and the largest flounder (male angler) plaques and a lot of fond memories.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Some nice flounder have been biting on the rising tide in the inlets and the river. Reds are biting on the falling tide in the ICW and the inlets. Some nice blues are biting at the inlets on the flood tide.

Near Shore: We have had some very good days with spanish this past week. Clarkspoons on bird rigs and #1 planers have been working very well. Nice flounder and a few gray trout are hanging around the AR’s. Big reds are biting at the AR’s; best bite at night.

Offshore: Kings, amberjack and ‘cudas along with some big spanish macks have been biting in the 10- 25 mile range, with the spanish at the closer of the range. Live bait, cigars, ballyhoo; all are getting the job done. Try some GULP squid or cigar minnows…the fish love them and you can catch them easy at the tackle shop.

Gulfstream: Wahooooooooo….Wahoo!

When last I wrote I announced the dates for the 2008 Rod-Man Fishing Schools in Raleigh and Wilmington. I would like to add the we will have tackle for sale from Bug-em Bait, including almost everything the various captains talk about. To see the details you can go to http://www.rodmancharters.com/2008-annual-fishing-school.htm

Stay cool and……

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




Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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What A Waste! This is SHAMEFUL!

Hello from Surf City!
Check out this video on YouTube. Click on the link below.
Unattended net video.


All sportsmen and sports ladies should check out this disgusting video. What a waste of our fishery. I agree that commercial and recreational anglers both have a right to take fish from our fishery. The net in this video is NOT a commercial net. The pink buoys signify a recreational netter, who must remain and attend the net, (south of the Emerald Isle Bridge). I can't figure why the powers that be think this disgraceful activity is OK north of the EI Bridge, but that's another argument. Any netter, commercial or recreational, who lets this happen, should loose their license FOREVER! No monetary fine is sufficient to excuse this netter from guilt. Just my opinion, tell us yours! Post a response to Fishin' Topsail's Topsail Island Message Board.





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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54353

Topsail Beach Red Drum. Nice!

Hello from Surf City! Just got this picture of a nice red drum caught by a reader, Andy Wilkinson at Topsail Beach. Email follows;

Johnny, here is the pic of the drum I caught in the surf at Topsail Beach about a half mile down from the JR (Jolly Rodger) pier.


Nice fish! Congratulations.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Press Release from The Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Media Contact: Lisa Young Public Relations Director Phone: (251) 861-7509
E-mail: lyoung@disl.org

Invasive Australian Jellyfish Sighted in Gulf of Mexico, Summer 2007; Range now extends from Texas to North Carolina.




Hello from Surf City!

The invasive Australian jellyfish, Phyllorhiza punctata, first reported in great quantities in the Gulf of Mexico in 2000, has made a vigorous reappearance this summer in waters from southwestern Louisiana to Morehead City, North Carolina. Beachgoers and boaters are encouraged to report their sightings of these exotic jellies to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s jellyfish website, Dockwatch, at http://dockwatch.disl.org.

Since 2000, Phyllorhiza sightings have occurred in the Gulf as far west as Galveston Bay, Texas, but only in a handful of numbers. This year, not only are their numbers higher, but their range has extended up to the Mid-Atlantic states. “Reports from the Panhandle of Florida and North Carolina indicate they’re pretty concentrated elsewhere,” states Dauphin Island Sea Lab Senior Marine Scientist Dr. Monty Graham.

Ranging in size from a softball to a basketball, the Australian jellyfish present little to no danger in terms of their sting. A preponderance of jellies, however, could pose a threat to the commercial fishing and shrimping industry as they foul up trawling nets and consume eggs and larvae of important fishery species.

“We just started getting reports of Phyllorhiza appearing on the east coast of Florida and as far up as North Carolina this year. We don’t think that jellies from the Gulf are pouring up the coast, necessarily, but the appearances and concentrations of these animals in both places may be related,” says Dr. Graham.

“Phyllorhiza are prolific feeders; they can compete with commercially important fish for food, and they also eat the larvae of these fish. In their native waters, they tend to be fist-sized; here in the Gulf, they can be a big as dinner plates.”

“We absolutely depend on the public’s reporting the appearance of these creatures. We don’t have the resources to survey the waters continuously, and by tracking their numbers and locations, we can try to get a handle on why they’re here in such concentrations and what impact they have on the ecosystem,” he concludes.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS JELLYFISH? Please report sightings to http://dockwatch.disl.org/.





Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Surf City Ocean Pier Fishing Update

Hello from Surf City! Progress report on repairs to the end of Surf City Pier.....
The end is finished!!! They were king fishing off of it today....but no kings were caught....did see some nice spanish flipping through the water....saw a few nice size pompano come up today also most around 2 lbs....fishing is still slow and the weather is still hot....not many people are out there and the ones there arent really staying all that long....the heat of August...Keep in mind the 3rd Annual Mike Martin Fishing Tournament is this weekend ....you can register now if you like so dont wait till the last minute....looks like you could be in line with a few others....We are hoping for a good turnout....if you have any questions please give us a call.....

Thanks to SC Pier for this report.






Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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Great Fishig Continues-Current Adventure Charters

Hello from Surf City!

Fishing continues to be great around the Wrightsville, Topsail and Carolina Beach areas. The weather has been a little hot, but the fishing is still very good.

Inshore: Redfish are still chewing along the ICW and up in the creeks. Friday I fished with Bill and his daughter Isabel. We got on a big school of overslot fish and had lots of action. There's nothing like seeing a young one do battle with a fish that is about as big as they are.

Nearshore, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel and Sailfish continue to be the big draw. Try live bait for best success on the mackerel as they don't like to chase a fast moving bait in the hot water.

Flounder are also biting around nearshore ledges and hard bottom areas. Try fishing finger muller on carolina rigs, but be prepared to lose a bunch on tackle on the structure. If you not losing tackle, you not in the right place.

There is plenty of good fishing left as the fall runs haven't even begun yet. As the water starts to cool, we should get another run of Mahi, lot's of King's and Spanish, Albacore, Flounder, Redfish, Bluefish and Speckled Trout. I have good dates available for the remainder of the season, so give me a call and schedule your trip today.

Tight lines!!

Capt. Brent

Current Adventure Charters

910.200.9959

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