Quick Report-Current Adventure Charters

I hit the inshore waters Sunday after chasing the Dolphin offshore. The tide was right, a stalled front should have had the fish chewing, but the bite was slow. However, persistance paid off and I finally hooked up and landed this 27-inch redfish. After the pic, I work hard on reviving the fish and watched it swim away. If you happen to catch it, do the same!!

Tight lines to all!!!

Capt. Brent

Spanish Everywhere!

Hello from Surf City!
Neighbor and fishin' bud Tommy fished today at Surf City Pier. Everyone that was casting diamond jigs were catching spanish. Most were on the small side, but there were some large ones. Big blues were filling the time between spanish. A good day on the pier. But the pier wasn't the only place the spanish were seen. I took a walk on the beach late this afternoon. There was one school after another of spanish. Most looked to be between 15 and 20 inches long, but some were bigger. I have never seen them jumping like this. You could see them cutting through the schools of bait fish in the surf. Lots of fish were jumping out of the water. Some on the "fly" and some jumped straight up out of the water. It was fun watching them. The surf casters were trying in vain to reach them. Wish I had taken my trout rod with 6 lb test with me on the walk. I could have reached them with that combo. Hopefully this blitz will continue. Go Gettum!

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

46088

Email from blog reader Mitchell Big Reds!

Hello from Surf City!
Below is an email message I received from a blog reader.

Johnny

Great web site, its so nice to find good info from someone right here at home. Home for me is Duplin Co. Saturday night was pretty good we fish in the surf close to New Topsail Inlet and got a 2lb. blue and 2 reds 24 and 30in on cut mullet. The 30 inch bad boy was my first and I hope not the last. I need a good map or maps that cover from New River down to New Topsail do you have any suggestions where I might find them. The crazy bunch I fish with had me lost and themselves to I think on the way back. I sure am glad the channel markers reflect light. You could just mail me yours with all the good spots marked I want tell anyone.

Mitchell


All the maps of the backwaters that I have found don't include the waterway from New River to New Topsail Inlet. You will probably have to buy two, one from New Topsail Inlet to Surf City, and another from Surf City to New River. East Coast Sports has a nice selection of area maps. My favorite place to catch big fish is ....... (ready for this?).... in the mouth. Usually works for me! Mitchell, Thanks for your email and for reading my blog. You really didn't think I was giving up my good spots did you? Ok, I will tell you one. I like to fish Banks Channel from New Topsail Inlet to about Trout St. Good spots for flounder, reds, and specks. Fish the piers and boat docks.
PS.... MItchell, you do know that that 30 inch fish was too large to keep don't you? The slot is 18" to 27".

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

North Carolina Fishing Pier Society – Newsletter

Hello from Surf City!
Angelo DePaola and The Jolly Roger Pier to be honored

I hope to see all of you there on Saturday

The North Carolina Fishing Pier Society will honor Angelo DePaola for a Lifetime Acheivement Award and also the Jolly Roger Pier for Community Service

Fort Mill, SC (PRWEB) May 29, 2007 -- A dedication to both fishing and the community has led the North Carolina Fishing Pier Society (NCFPS) to the bestow two awards for achievement and community service to a legendary fisherman and a distinguished fishing pier, NCFPS founder and fishing advocate Al Baird said today.

The award ceremony is slated for June 16 at 1 p.m. at the Jolly Roger Pier, Topsail Beach.

At the ceremony, the NCFPS will recognize Angelo DePaola for lifetime achievement in pier fishing. This is the first Lifetime Achievement Award given by the organization.

"To fishing enthusiasts, Angelo DePaola is a living legend," Baird said today from NCFPS headquarters in Fort Mill, South Carolina. "DePaola's king mackerel total is equivalent to baseball's Cy Young record for total wins (511 wins). It will likely never come close to being broken by any fisherman at any pier in the near or distant future."

Since 1958 DePaola has dedicated himself to hauling the "big ones" and his 490 king mackerel's are counted in that record. DePaola once caught five of the trophies in one day. He also managed to bring in other species from the pier including red drum, amberjacks, tarpon, bluefish and cobia. DePaola also has a 400 pound lemon shark to his credit and in 1978 he made the rarest of catch--a 7-foot sailfish.

A second honor, this one the 2007 Community Service Award, is slated to be presented to the Jolly Roger Pier for its years of serving as a community fishing bulwark stretching out into the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

"The Jolly Roger Pier is a landmark in the community and rightly deserves the 2007 Community Service Award," Baird said. "This fisherman's bastion has stood proud and strong--serving North Carolina and the eastern seaboard fishing community for over fifty years."

The Jolly Roger is renowned for rebuilding quickly after hurricanes and is an extremely popular with local fisherman and others from all over the eastern United States. Lewis Orr built the pier in 1954 and it is still operated by the Orr family today.

Pier of the Year Voting is Now Underway

This year we will award a pier of the year award to the pier that is voted the favorite by members of the NCFPS. The criteria is entirely up to you. You decide why it is the best and vote. If you would like to give a short description on why it is your favorite please include it and we will run it on the website when the pier is announced. The voting will go until Labor Day. The pier of the year award will be given out during the 2007 World Tour in October. To vote please email your pier at Roadkillal@aol.com

YOU COULD BE FAMOUS

New Feature on the North Carolina Fishing Pier Society Website www.ncfps – On the News and Facts Page – Recent catches – Send in pictures of your recent catches and we will run them on the website. Send them to Roadkillal@aol.com

Richard Gere Filming in Rodathe on the Pier


Lights! Camera! Action! – Wednesday, May 16th the Rodanthe pier was awash in flood lights while they were shooting a scene with Richard Gere for the movie version of “Nights in Rodanthe”. Does anyone know - Is that a fishing movie?

Email me with any news or comments as well as pier events. Email me at Roadkillal@aol.com

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

45958

Unbelievable and Inspiring Photo!

Hello from Surf City!

Unbelievable and Inspiring Photo! Notice the cross in the star field.

I just had to share this picture and make a statement about my beliefs. I believe that the US is BLESSED because we were founded on CHRISTIAN principles. That is why we have prospered and have become the strongest and most affluent nation in the world. What is going to happen to us if we continue to dishonor God by removing Him from our everyday lives. Schools, government buildings, public places, all are being forced to remove all reminders of God by a minority of people who don't believe in God. Do you think we will remain strong? I think not. Just my 2 cents.



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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Surf City Pier Report

Hello from Surf City!

Thanks to Vinita at Surf City Pier for this report.

6/8......The weather was nice plenty of blues and a few spanish......not much going on bottom fishing.....

6/9......and it was a good day.....lots of blues and a few spanish....ended up with 2 kings on the deck today... both weighing in at 17 lbs....we have had a mixed bag though out the day with spots and mullet and a flounder....this evening about the same with a decent amount spots showing up......most of them are about keeper size too.....

6/10....The day started nice....with plenty of blues and a few spanish.....the wind picked up didnt hear much for the afternoon....Had a king on and lost it close to the pier......so far this evening hearing of a few spots .....wind is still blowing not a very large crowd this evening.....



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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

45817

The Dolphin Bite Continues-Current Adventure Charters

The Dolphin Bite off Topsail Beach, NC continues to be very good. Dolphin have been caught as close as 10nm this week, however, the better bite still seems to be in the 20-25nm range in the clearer, bluer water. They can be caught slow trolling live or dead cigar minnows, live menhadden or fast trolling with ballyhoo and squid. I have been having the best results on ballyhoo rigged with small pink/white islanders and natural squid on the end of a squid daisy chain.

King Mackerel, Amber Jack and False Albacore are biting as well. Cobia have been caught on live Menhadden and Bluefish near the jetties at Wrightsville Beach. The fish average 30lbs, but fish up to 77lbs have been caught this past week.

Inshore, Flounder fishing is picking up. Most of the fish being caught are small, but there are some keepers to be had. The Speckled Trout are still biting in the Cape Fear River. Though not as many have been reported, some nice fish have been caught. Sheepshead and Black Drum are being caught as well.

Summer fishing is at it's best. Give me a call and book your trip today.

Tight lines!!

Capt. Brent
http://www.currentadventurecharters.com/
910.200.9959

Another King for Wes at Surf City Pier

Hello from Surf City!
Sorry it took so long to post this. Wes fishing at Surf City Pier caught his first "whole" king, on June 1st. It was the second king of the year for Surf City Pier anglers. Fishing report for Surf City Pier. Black drum, a few spots and mullets, spanish and blues in the morning. Not much going on for bottom fishing.




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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Nice Reds off ICW

Had a friend contact me and say he caught a nice 26 inch red drum on a beetle spin today in a flat off the ICW. The exact spot will remain a secret. Nice job! Thanks for the info.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

New Topsail Inlet

Hello from Surf City! Had a report today that some nice flounder and a few reds have been caught at the south end of Topsail Island near the New Topsail Inlet. No word on the bait. Go gettum!


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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Current Adventure Charters - 6-4-07 Report

Fishing this past weeek has had the Dolphin bite doing really well. Dolphin have moved in as close as 15nm on out to the stream with bigger fish being caught in the stream. Look for some good catches inside of 25nm in the next couple of weeks. Live bait, dead cigar minnows, ballyhoo and natural squid baits are all working well.

Memorial Day I was invited to make a trip to the blue water aboard the "Surprise", leaving out of Cape Fear. Weather was perfect, seas were great and the fish were chewing pretty well. We were pulling a spread of ballyhoo and squid and the Dolphin just loved them. The fish on Monday were decent fish with the big fish of the day weighing in at 21lbs. Pictured below is Oscar with his first Dolphin on his first trip to the stream.
Saturday I ran a pre "Barry" trip with Steve and Eric from Hickory, NC. They flew in Saturday Morning arriving at ILM about 0930 and were at the docks and underway by 1030. I wasn't sure what to expect with Barry's pending arrival, but I was pleasantly surprised to find relatively calm seas. Seas were 3 foot about every 5 secs, but with little wind, they were fairly glassy.

We put lines in about 18nm off the beach and had a Dolphin on before I could get the 3rd line in the water. I handed the rod to Steve and he caught his first Dolphin.

We fished on out to the 23 mile rock area and caught a King Mackerel and a couple of False Albacore before turning around and making our way back toward the hill. When we got within 1/2mile of where we caught the first Dolphin, we hooked another. Guess I should have stayed right there.

Inshore, Speckled Trout have been bitting well in the creeks of the lower Cape Fear River. I know of one 6lber being caught on a top water plug. Flounder are picking up as well with a report of an 11lb Flounder being caught in Snows Cut this past weekend. Black Drum are biting well near the wall at Buzzard's Bay, but the Redfish bite has been tough. Big Cobia are being caught around the Masonboro Inlet Jetty. Big pogies seem to be the bait of choice, though a 77lber was caught on Johnny Mercers Pier that ate a bluefish.

The fish are here and it's time to go. Catch 'em up!!!

Capt. Brent Stanley

Current Adventure Charters

http://www.currentadventurecharters.com

910.200.9959

Weather Breaking Tomorrow, Will better fishing follow?

Here is the weather report from www.topsailweather.com. Looks like the rain is ending, and the wind is laying down a bit, but it will still be a bit breezy.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. West wind between 13 and 18 mph.
Monday A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 85. West wind between 10 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind between 11 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday Partly cloudy, with a high near 86. West wind between 11 and 17 mph.




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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Sand Fleas are Here!

I didn't have time to fish today, but Donna and I did take a short walk on the beach, Donna looking for sharks teeth, and me looking for sand fleas. Mole crabs, locally known as sand fleas, are my favorite bait. I have been looking for them for some time. Where they were, and why they showed up late this year, I don't know. But they were here the first week in May last year, according to my notes. Sand fleas are hunted by most fish that live in the surf area. I have caught sea mullets, big pompano, flounder, trout, spot, black drum, red drum, along with the biggest red drum I have ever caught. A 44 inch monster that took 40 minutes to land on my 8 lb test line and 8 foot mullet rod. As you probably know, sand fleas molt as they grow. The shell that is on the flea doesn't grow, but the flea sheds it and another hardens in it's place. The molted sand fleas are soft before the shell hardens again, and these hard to find critters are the best for bait. But, like I said, they are hard to find. So I use the hard shell crabs because they are so plentiful. I have good luck with them, better than cut shrimp or cut mullet. If the bite is slow, I may break off the edge of the shell, and sometimes even "peel" the shell off before hooking the flea onto my size 4 eagle claw hook. I have found that I have the best luck using hand tied bottom rigs, that have no hardware with the exception of the hook. To hook the flea, I run the hook down through the back of the flea, (the end without the flipper on the underside), turn the hook, and stick it into the flapper on the other end of the flea, pinning the flapper to the flea. Now I have seen others hook them differently, but this is what I like and catch most fish with. There is a urine sack at the back end of the crab, and my hook punctures this as I hook the critter, and I believe the urine leaking into the water helps the bite. So, now that the fleas are here, I am really chomping at the bit to get out in the surf and catch some puppies and big whiting. Or even a two or three pound pompano for the grill. MMMMMMM!

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Preserving Piers; Wilmington Star, Si.Cantwell

Here is an article appearing in the Wilmington Star News on Sunday about the vanishing piers along the coast of the Carolinas. Good read. If you have the time, get involved. This problem affects all of us.


Preserving Piers
Wilmington Star

As land values skyrocket, the privately owned havens for anglers are frequently being replaced by homes

The Long Beach Pier in Oak Island is gone, torn down last year to make way for large oceanfront homes.

The Carolina Beach Fishing Pier is for sale. The asking price of $3 million is a bargain, considering its present tax value is $3,380,237, up from $698,755 in 1999.

For years, fishing piers served as the central focus of many small beach towns. They provided economic benefits, encouraging tourism during the "shoulder seasons" of spring and fall when the water was too cold for most swimmers. They were places where the same anglers return year after year, generation after generation.

But rising taxes and operating costs, frequent damage from storms and skyrocketing land values threaten the state's fishing piers. In 1980, 36 stretched out from the North Carolina shoreline. Today, just 20 privately owned, commercially operated piers open to the public survive.

The threat was documented in the recently completed Waterfront Access Study Committee's Final Report, commissioned by the General Assembly to study the loss of diversity of uses of land along the coast. The main losers, the report says, are "anglers of modest means" who pay a daily fee, typically less than $10, for a day out over the water.

The study recommends the state's Aquarium Division begin operating three piers for the public's benefit, and it also offers recommendations on tax changes and funding repairs after storms. But some are wary of the state competing with private operators.

Angling to save piers

Al Baird, 47, general manager of a specialty chemical plant, grew up coming to the Outer Banks with his family from Pittsburgh. He started taking his kids there in the 1990s, when he lived in the Chicago area. He moved to Fort Mill, S.C., just south of Charlotte, in 2000.

After reading Robert Goldstein's book Coastal Fishing in the Carolinas, he decided he wanted to take his son, Chris, 17, fishing from every pier in North Carolina.

"I thought it would be pretty cool to go on this fishing trip," he said. "I kept planning it, and finally I realized in 2005 that all the piers are disappearing. So we blocked out a week around basketball camp and we took off."

Last summer, they fished from all the piers still open. While in Kure Beach, they stayed at the Rolling Surf Motel and fished from the Kure Beach Fishing Pier.

He was disappointed to find the motel slated for demolition to make way for four big houses. "I said, 'They can't do that. That town has so much old-fashioned beach charm.'●"

He said he started the N.C. Fishing Pier Society (www.ncfps.com) in April 2006 to support the piers, document their history "and to try to save some of them, if we can."

Johnnie Mercers success

Running a pier is a complicated business, even a successful one such as Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier at Wrightsville Beach. Matt Johnson owns the pier, which his father, Robert, bought in 1969.

He credits his location at Wrightsville Beach for the pier's popularity. It was rebuilt as a concrete pier after hurricanes in 1996 destroyed it.

Employment at the pier's tackle shop, gift shop and grill swells to around 20 workers in the summer from around 12 in the winter. It barely breaks even during the winter months, but Johnson said closing it would create safety and security problems by leaving a valuable building unattended.

Maintenance is an ongoing effort. Kitchen equipment wears out, shingles tear off, metal rusts, fixtures such as chairs and furniture must be replaced.

But Johnson says it's easier than it was when Johnnie Mercers was a wooden pier. He remembers his father wrestling new pilings into place and lashing them to the pier.

State fees, including a new blanket saltwater fishing license that covers pier customers, can total more than $3,000 a year, Johnson said.

But it's worth it to see the camaraderie and joy the pier brings to customers.

In March, a woman told him she and her husband were celebrating their 10th anniversary. "Do you realize I met my husband on this pier?" she asked him.

Hurt by motel declines

Mike Robertson, who owns the Kure Beach pier, knows the attraction of a pier goes far beyond just angling for spots and blues.

"I love watching the tide change," he said. "I love watching the sun move around and the moon move around."

But he worries about the impact of losing nearby motels.

Kure Beach had already lost four motels before plans were announced to tear down the Rolling Surf. Those plans are on hold pending the resolution of regulatory issues, but the motel is closed now.

The modestly priced rooms offered by the motels were popular with fishermen.

"For a pier to be profitable, it has to have some customers," Robertson said. "It's getting harder, not unlike anything going on up and down the coast."

Kure Beach Mayor Tim Fuller said the town would like right of first refusal if Robertson ever sells the pier. He said he'd talked with the folks at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher about operating that pier if Robertson ever sold.

But Robertson said he has no plans to sell. He likes running the pier, and so do his children. He said his pier doesn't have a large land footprint that would attract residential developers.

Help from aquariums?

The Waterfront Access Study's report, finalized last month, recommends that the N.C. Aquariums develop and operate three public fishing piers. They would have educational displays as well as fishing amenities.

Donna Moffitt, director of the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, said she talked to Robertson more than a year ago about the Kure Beach pier, and she's aware that the Carolina Beach pier is for sale.

But she said the Aquarium Division, part of the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources, needs direction from the General Assembly before it moves forward on any plan to develop or operate piers. Moffitt said the state could build piers, buy existing ones or agree to operate a pier for an owner.

The N.C. Aquarium Society, a nonprofit that supports the three state-owned aquariums, has bought Jennette's Pier in Nags Head with the idea of handing it over to the Aquarium Division. It will cost $13 million to reopen it as a 1,000-foot-long concrete pier, Moffitt said.

Emerald Isle, on Bogue Banks between Jacksonville and Morehead City, hopes to work with the Pine Knoll Shores aquarium to take over the Bogue Inlet Pier. Town Manager Frank Rush said that project would anchor a mixed-use project called Village East, combining commercial space with residential units.

The largest single landowner in the 50-acre zone is the Stanley family, which wants to sell the pier site and 15 acres around it. One developer was interested in working with the town and the Aquarium Division, but that deal fell through. Rush said the town is hoping another buyer will come forward willing to preserve the pier as part of the larger Village East project.

Moffitt said that if the Fort Fisher aquarium does operate a pier, it will likely be the last of the three aquariums to do so since plans are more advanced for the other two prospects.

Baird, founder of the Fishing Pier Society, is skeptical about the state getting into the pier business. He worries that a state-run pier might provide unwelcome competition to privately owned piers struggling to survive. Moffitt said the Aquarium Division would charge higher fees than privately owned piers to avoid taking away their business.

Tax breaks and loans

The Waterfront Access panel also recommended that fishing piers and other working waterfront properties be awarded "present use value" tax status, similar to how farmland is taxed. Since 1973, the report said, the state allows farmland to be appraised at its current use value - as a farm - instead of fair market value, shielding the owner from higher tax bills in a rising real estate market.

The committee also urged the state to look for ways to help pier owners pay for storm repairs, including perhaps establishing a low-interest loan program. Robertson, whose family has repeatedly rebuilt the Kure Beach pier after storms, said he'd welcome such a fund.

After Hurricane Fran damaged his pier in 1996, a contractor estimated rebuilding costs at $1.2 million, although Robertson did it for less by hiring labor and doing it himself.

Baird wants beach towns to support their piers. "Coastal communities need to be actively involved in getting to pier owners and businesses and say, 'What do we need to do to help?'●" he said. "●'What can we do to assist you besides just putting up another house and bringing in tax money?'●"

New to the area? Seeing change all around you? Contact me at 343-2364 or Si.Cantwell@StarNewsOnline.com.

http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/p...NEWS/705280336


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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

44244

As you may know, my mother-in-law Bernice, known locally as Ms. Lee, has been in the hospital for two weeks now, and I haven't been fishing is SOOOOO LONG! Just talked to Vinita at Surf City Pier and GOOD NEWS! The fish are biting! Well not all the fish, but blues, spanish and pompano (big pompano) are all biting well. The first king of the year was caught yesterday (17 lbs), and a cobia was caught today. I think it was about 30 lbs, but I can't really remember what she said. Bottom fishing isn't so good, but hopefully that will get better soon. I have talked to a couple of kayakers, they said they had no luck throwing beetle spins and gulp grubs. I talked to a surf fisherman today, and he said that he still can't find any sand fleas. They should be here by now, or so I thought, so maybe they will show up soon. I am hearing of the occasional sea mullet, puppy drum, and black drum being pulled up from the surf, so it's not a total waste to get out there. Of course my philosophy is fishing is better than work anytime, even if there is nothing biting.

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Local Legends awarded NC Fishing Pier Society Awards

Congratulations to fishing legend Angelo DePaola from Topsail Island, and to Topsail Beach's Jolly Rodger fishing pier, for receiving North Carolina Fishing Pier Society awards. Read details below.


Fort Mill, SC—May 27, 2007—A dedication to both fishing and the community has led the North Carolina Fishing Pier Society (NCFPS) to the bestow two awards for achievement and community service to a legendary fisherman and a distinguished fishing pier, NCFPS founder and fishing advocate Al Baird said today.



The award ceremony is slated for June 16 at 1 p.m. at the Jolly Roger Pier, Topsail Beach.



At the ceremony, the NCFPS will recognize Angelo DePaola for lifetime achievement in pier fishing. This is the first Lifetime Achievement Award given by the organization.



"To fishing enthusiasts, Angelo DePaola is a living legend," Baird said today from NCFPS headquarters in Fort Mill, South Carolina. "DePaola's king mackerel total is equivalent to baseball's Cy Young record for total wins (511 wins). It will likely never come close to being broken by any fisherman at any pier in the near or distant future."



Since 1958 DePaola has dedicated himself to hauling the "big ones" and his 490 king mackerel's are counted in that record. DePaola once caught five of the trophies in one day. He also managed to bring in other species from the pier including red drum, amberjacks, tarpon, bluefish and cobia. DePaola also has a 400 pound lemon shark to his credit and in 1978 he made the rarest of catch—a 7-foot sailfish.



A second honor, this one the 2007 Community Service Award, is slated to be presented to the Jolly Roger Pier for its years of serving as a community fishing bulwark stretching out into the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean.



"The Jolly Roger Pier is a landmark in the community and rightly deserves the 2007 Community Service Award," Baird said. "This fisherman's bastion has stood proud and strong—serving North Carolina and the eastern seaboard fishing community for over fifty years."



The Jolly Roger is renowned for rebuilding quickly after hurricanes and is an extremely popular with local fisherman and others from all over the eastern United States. Lewis Orr built the pier in 1954 and it is still operated by the Orr family today.



The North Carolina Fishing Pier Society was founded in 2006 to promote the history and traditions of pier fishing in North Carolina. The organization seeks to preserve waterfront access and has submitted testimony to the North Carolina Waterfront Access Study Committee earlier this year.


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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Someone caught another king from Jolly Rodger yesterday. (rumor) I think that is three this year. Still catching chopper blues and some spanish. Surf City anglers caught blues and a few spanish this week with a few sea mullets at night. The wind has been blowing, and fishing has been slow.

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.


45905

Rod-Man Report May 23, 2007

Hello from Surf City.

Rod-Man Report May 23, 2007

Hi Folks, and a happy and safe Memorial Day. Be sure to give thanks and prayers for our troops.

I just got back from a fun filled 3 days at Harkers Island fishing for cobia. We did not catch cobia but we did catch some big blues and huge rays. On the home front, fishing in the Wilmington area has finally turned back on after the “blow”. Let’s keep it that way.

Now here’s my report:

Inshore: Red drum are biting well. Catch them on artificials including GULP or on bait. A 1/4 oz. jig head and a GULP curlytail will do the job. Some flounder are showing up and are being caught on live bait.

Near shore: Cobia have shown up near shore at the reefs. Nice spanish are back and pods of menhaden are cruising the beach. It’s all good.

Offshore: Kings are biting around 10 miles. More cobia are at the offshore reefs and mahi are in the 20-25 mile areas.

Gulfstream: When boats have gone out there has been a good morning and evening tuna bite. Big wahoo and lots of big mahi are biting as well.

Be safe this holiday weekend and have a good time on the water….now…

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

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Spanish on Surf City Pier

Hello from Surf City.
There was a good run of spanish at Surf City Pier Tuesday morning. Most were keeper size, some up to 20 inches long were caught. They were mostly caught on gotcha plugs and diamond jigs. Bottom anglers caught several large pompano on cut shrimp. Hopefully this trend will continue. I still haven't been fishing. Family member is still in the hospital, so my time has been spent there. Hopefully she will get home soon and I can hit the beach!

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Fishing Slows a Bit

Hello from Surf City.
Sorry I haven't posted. I have family in the hospital and just haven't got out to get any reports. I know it has been slow at Surf City Pier, but there are still some nice chopper blues taking the king anglers bait and gotcha plugs. Not much on the bottom fishing. Small flounder, small mullets at night with a few black drum mixed in. No Surf report, check Surf City Pier and East Coast Websites for their reports. Herrings Outdoor Sports are getting some really nice fresh local shrimp. Check 'em out. Fishing should pick up anytime now. If you can't catch any fish, check out Herring's kayak rentals and explore the waters inside the island. You may even see Wally, our resident three foot gater.


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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

May Fishing at Topsail Island

Hello from Surf City.
Still catching blues in the morning at Surf City Pier. Tonight, there were black sea bass caught, but they were too small to keep. Yea, I said black sea bass. Don't see those near the pier too often. At Seaview Pier, anglers pulled in five kings this week. Don't know the size, but this early, and from the pier, a king is a king! I am hearing some buzz about speckled trout near the turning bridge in Surf City at night. Can't confirm this. Rain predicted tomorrow, but shouldn't last too long. Chris at East Coast Sports has published his May fishing report. Click on this link to view it and their spring specials. Surf City Crab has been getting some fantastic bait shrimp, as well as plenty of eating seafood. Check them out on the water behind The Crabpot on Roland Ave, just after you cross the turning bridge on the left. Herrings Outdoor Sports has dozens of new kayaks, and a store full of spring and summer fashions, as well as their bait and tackle which is always great. Check out everything "Topsail" at www.topsail-island.info. Get on down and do some fishing!


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


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

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

43124

More Cobia ..... Big Chopper Blues!

Hello from Surf City.
Another cobia was caught at Surf City Pier Sunday. Blues on gotcha plugs Sunday and Monday. Big blues, choppers up to 10 lbs were caught this morning. Bottom fishing still kinda slow. Inside still producing puppies and specks.

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.


42777

King On!

Hello from Surf City.
Someones reel screamed today at Surf City Pier. They had a king on and lost it at the pier. Too bad. Still waiting for the first one to be landed. Looks like it's gonna be a good year. Blues and spanish are being caught in the morning by pluggers. No word on bottom fishing.

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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Kings, Chopper Blues, Blackfin Tuna

Fishing continues to get better along the coast. My charter on Saturday produced good catches of Chopper Bluefish-up to 8lbs, a nice Blackfin Tuna and a limit of King Mackerel. Water temps ranged from 71 in the morning to 76 in the afternoon.

Inshore, the flounder bite is improving and the redfish bite is good as well. The speckled trout have still been biting, but expect that to die with the the water getting hotter.

Call now and book you trip today!!

Capt. Brent Stanley

Current Adventure Charters

910.200.9959

Cobia Alert!

Hello from Surf City. I got an instant message from a friend J. Griffin who said a 50lb cobia was caught today on Surf City Pier. He got the tip from his fishing bud W. Tyndall. I checked out his tip, and Kenny, better know as "Bigun", at Surf City Pier and Kenny tells me that they caught not one, but two cobia today. James Helms caught a 45 pounder, and Nancy, (sorry, I don't know her last name) caught the big one, a 50 lb giant while king fishing at the end. Nothing much else going on today that I have found out about. I wasn't able to fish, or even make my rounds to the piers, so if I get anything else I will post it. Thanks to J. Griffin for the information about the cobia. Good detective work.


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


Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.



24258

Rod-Man Report May 10, 2007

Hello from Surf City.

Rod-Man Report May 10, 2007

Hi Folks,
What can I say? The weather has been as lousy as it can get short of the “H” word. I have not fished since last Friday when we caught some very nice spanish. This storm has certainly made a mess out of a great start to spring fishing. Things will start calming down today and maybe by the weekend we will begin to see some semblance of normalcy.
Now here’s my report…from prior to last Saturday.

Inshore: We are getting some good red drum action both on artificials and on bait. Best action is on a falling tide and around heavy structure or oyster banks. Some live bait (small menhaden) have shown up and that means the flounder bite is about to begin in earnest.

Near Shore: The large spanish mackerel have been chomping pretty well. They can be caught on Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow Deep Divers, clarkspoon rigs with small #1 planers, and bird rigs. The bonito were thinning out late last week as the spanish came in, but they may make another brief showing after the storm. Plenty of bluefish are around.

Offshore: Spring kings have been caught at the 10 mile areas, a great sign. Larger fish are still hanging a bit further out in the 23 to 45 mile areas.

Gulfstream: When boats can get out, wahoo, tuna and mahi are biting well.

We have had to do some rearranging of charter schedules due to the storm. This has been necessary to try to insure the best possible opportunity for a good day of fishing. We appreciate your cooperation. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. It’s been a while since the fish have had a good meal, so maybe they will be hungry and willing.

Be sure to check out our new bonito fishing video!

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



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

Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

42288

Salt Water LIcense

Hello from Surf City. Here are a few facts about the new NC Salt Water Fishing License that was emailed to me by Al from the NC Pier Fishing Society. Thanks Al, interesting information.

A few other facts about the new saltwater fishing license.

The state has sold 91,560 licenses so far. Residents of New Hanover
County have bought the most licenses - 5467, Dare county has
purchased 3167. People from out of state have purchases 7154 annual
licenses and 7117 short term licenses.

Virginia has bought the most followed by Pennsylvania and Maryland.




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

Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Bite Slow

Hello from Surf City.
Nothing much has been biting since Friday, which was a good fishing day with sea mullets, spanish, and lots of blues from the piers. Still no flounder being reported from the piers or surf. Inside, it's more of the same. Everything came to a screeching halt Friday night as the front moved in. Winds have been high, and beach erosion is extensive, especially on each end of Topsail Island. Hope I will have good news soon.

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

Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Current Adventure Fishing Report-5/7/07

Fishing along the coast from Topsail Beach down to Southport is really turning on. The water has continued to warm and the fishing is just getting hot.

Inshore, Redfish, Bluefish, Flounder and Speckled Trout fishing continues to get better and better. Topwater action has really picked up this week as the fish are getting more aggressive with more and more baitfish showing up in the local waters. Capt. Lewis reported a great day of Speckled Trout fishing this past week with 17 Trout being caught,

six of which were citation sized fish.

Spanish Mackerel up to 6lbs have been reported as well as King Mackerel up to 30lbs. One of piers in the Southport area reported the first Cobia of the year with a 60lber being put on the deck!!! Atlantic Bonito are still being caught around the nearshore wrecks along with a ton of Bluefish and some nice Spanish Mackerel.

Offshore, the King Mackerel bite has been great and the Gulf Stream is producing catches of Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo.

It's time to go catch some fish so call and book your trip today.

Capt. Brent Stanley

Current Adventure Charters

910.200.9959

www.currentadventurecharters.com

Hello from Surf City.
Fishing at Topsail Island is picking up. The first king of the year was caught at Sea View Pier yesterday. It was small, but everyone is excited to see the first one. Surf City Pier caught spanish yesterday, as did Jolly Rodger and Sea View Pier. It is early for kings and spanish, and hopefully the early bite will continue. There are still a lot of snapper blues in the water, and are biting gotcha plugs as well as bottom rigs. The mullet bite has slowed a bit, but some are still being caught. There was a few spots in coolers yesterday also. The pluggers are out and beating the water with gotcha plugs looking for that spanish or blue. All the tackle shops, East Coast Sports, Herrings Outdoor Sports, Thomas Bait and Tackle, and Dougs Tackle on Hwy 50 in Holly Ridge, have new tackle and are ready for the seasons spanish blitz. Pack up those plugging rods and head down to the coast for some good fishing.

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

Everyone has to be somewhere ..... I'll be fishing!
Freedom isn't free! Someone has paid, for you and for me.

Mullet from Piers, Speckled Trout Inside

Mullets and blues are still biting from the area piers. Blues are hitting gotcha plugs and grubs early morning and late afternoon. Sea mullets are biting fresh cut shrimp after dark. There have been some nice black drum from all piers, but the bite is slow. The inside waters have been producing some nice specks on grubs, mostly Berkley Gulp baits. Fishing from the surf is still slow with a few sea mullets and black drum showing up here and there. I still haven't found any sand fleas. Not sure when they should show up. Maybe someone has an idea and can let us know.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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

Errors on Blog

Hi everyone, I have had a glitch in the blog, and all of my favorite links have disappeared. I am working to restore all the links. If you had a link (fishing related) or would like to add a link (fishing related) please contact me via email. The email link is at the top of this page, "Send Johnny an Email"
Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

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

Afternoon at the Pier

Neighbor Tommy and I spent the afternoon on Surf City Pier today. There were some big sea mullets being caught, along with puffers, skates, and even a couple of small spots. The mullets were really big for this time of year. Most of the toads were large and made Big Tim really happy. Tim loves toads and was one of the guys I would give puffers to before I had a sample of this fine tasting fish. I didn't keep the ones I caught today, but I just wasn't up to cleaning them. This week at the pier, there was a 2lb 13 oz speckled trout caught on a bottom rig and cut shrimp by Mr. Nick. Sea mullets have been biting all week long. At Sea View Pier, there is more of the same. Big sea mullets, big puffers, and big black drum are coming up most every day. Last night a few small red drum were caught. Fishing is getting good. Don't forget about the official opening of Surf City Pier Friday March 30 at 6 am. First mullet wins a free 2007 season pass. The way they have been biting recently, I don't think it will be very long after 6 when the first mullet is caught. See you there.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Weekend Blues at Wrightsville

I'm still down with the migraine, but I did hear a report from Wrightsville Beach today. Blues were biting gotchas from Johnny Mercers pier Saturday and this morning. Won't be long until we see them at Surf City Pier. Get those new hooks on the gotchas! Times a wastin'!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Puffers, Toads, Blowfish

Some call them puffers, some call them toads. Still others call them blowfish. Whatever you prefer to call this ugly little fish........ they taste wonderful! I had never eaten puffers, never really had the urge to. I had heard all my life they were poisonous. Whether that was true or not, they surely were not appealing to the eye, so I never thought about eating one. But when I moved to the coast of North Carolina from the piedmont area several years ago, I started hearing about folks eating this ugly trash fish that made me so upset me every time one bit my hook. They are hard to get off the hook, those sharp protruding teeth sometimes bending my hooks or breaking them in half. But after a couple of years hearing things like, "Best fish you ever ate!", "Nothing better!", "Chicken of the sea!", I finally decided I would have to give this nasty looking fish a try. So when I caught two really nice ones today, (one over a pound, the other close to a pound), I had my chance. I held the fish in the palm of my hand facing me, and inserted my fillet knife sharp side up, into the skin just behind the fishes eyes. I gently made a slit along the back bone, (which isn't really bone, but cartilage), all the way to the tail. Then I inserted my fingers under the loose skin and pulled it apart exposing some of the prettiest white fish meat I have ever seen. I carefully sliced down each side of the back cartilage, since I have been told that if I puncture the innards of this critter I needed to throw the whole thing away. I worked my fingers between the little fillet and the skin and seperated the fillet from the skin and back cartilage. I then cut it at the head and tail, again being very careful not to cut anything nasty. I cleaned up the fillets, which weren't a bit bloody, and threw them into my cleaning basket. I breaded them with cornmeal and a little salt and pepper, and fried them up over medium heat in a little veggie oil. I ate them up along with some slaw and pork and beans, all the while wishing I had some good ol fried grits to go along with the meal. Anyway, it was really good, and I will never again make fun of the folks that run up and down the pier saying, "You gonna keep that?" every time a toad fish comes over the rail. Because now, I will be one of these folks. MMMMMMMM GOOD!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Contaminated Fish Extended in Wake County, NC

Here is a story posted on the WRAL-TV website. http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/1232917/

It seems this is not a new problem, and nothing much is being done to remedy this situation. All anglers, men and women, as well as boaters and anyone who uses water from the Neuse River should be concerned about situations like this. It may not be in your neighborhood right now, but it could be tomorrow! What can we do to help get this cleaned up and prevent these occurrences in the future?

Warning of Contaminated Fish Extended in Wake County
Fish In Lake Crabtree

Posted: Mar. 13, 2007

MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Toxic chemicals have been found in fish upstream of Lake Crabtree in Wake County, and signs have been posted to warn people of the contamination, health officials said.

The warning was extended from Lake Crabtree County Park upstream on Crabtree Creek to the Cedar Fork District Park in Morrisville.

The chemicals are industrial compounds calls PCBs that leaked from a contaminated site near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. PCBs have collected in largemouth bass, catfish and carp that swim up the creek from the lake, said toxicologist Luanne Williams with the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Williams said she is seeking funding to test six other sites where officials suspect elevated levels of PCBs. Previous tests have found some contaminated fish where Crabtree Creek enters the Neuse River, but there wasn't enough testing to warrant a health advisory.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.

Landing that Big Red Drum

Hi Folks, I have been seeing lots of pictures posted on the various east coast fishing websites. I am distressed at what I am seeing. Lot's of anglers, after battling a giant red, grab the fish by the gill plate with one hand, or sometimes a hand in each gill plate. Anglers......the gills are a fishes lungs! PLEASE, PLEASE, don't stick your fingers into the gill to pick up your fish. How would you feel if someone reached in and grabbed your lungs? These fish are already stressed by the battle that has just taken place. The extra trauma caused by someone sticking their fingers into the gills of the red drum could be deadly for the fish. Please, grab your catch in the mouth, or use both hands to lift the fish for that picture. Or better yet, get a grappler, you know what I am talking about. One of those items used to grab the fish while you hold the handle. The unidentified angler in the picture above, seems to know the correct way to hold a huge drum. Please treat these creatures with care after they provide you with the thrill of a ten to twenty minute battle between fish and angler. They deserve no less!
Thanks for listening.
Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Sea Mullets

I heard today, (although I didn't see them) that a few anglers have caught several nice sea mullets from Surf City Pier. Don't forget SC Pier opens March 30, and the first sea mullet caught wins a free 2007 season pass. Plan to be there. Jolly Rodger Pier, at Topsail Beach, is reporting sea mullets up to two pounds each. Also coming in are puffers, or toads, which some anglers hunt with a passion. They call the two fillets that run down each side of the puffers backbone "chicken of the sea." I have never tried them, but if I can catch a few, I will try them this year. I'll let you know. Also in the ocean now are sharks, and plenty of skates and stingrays. Some folks tell me that skate wings are delicious. "Taste like scallops." If I try skate wings, you will never hear about it! I couldn't take the hassle I would get from my fishing buds. Fishing on the inside has slowed a bit the last couple of days. But the flounder, reds, and occasional trout are still around if you can find them. (hint; deep holes for specks) Fishing is picking up. So get on down here and quench that angling thirst!

I have just became aware of an organization trying to save the fishing piers in the Carolinas. The North Carolina Fishing Pier Society is trying make folks aware that the fishing piers in the Carolinas are dissapearing. You can get information from their website, at www.ncfps.com. Or you can reach them at ncfps@ncfps.com Check it out and learn what we can do as individuals and members to save this vanishing resource. Thanks

Until next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Sea Mullets for Mr. Nick

My pier fishing bud, Mr. Nick, caught some nice sea mullets from the pier Thursday morning. Nick said they bit "big ol' fresh ocean shrimp." Some were "pretty good size". I went out Thursday afternoon with neighbor Tommy. We didn't catch anything. Windy!
Off shore reports are good for grouper and snapper. Inshore, trout, flounder, and a few small red drum are being caught. The reds "are out there" according to a couple of sources, but they aren't hungry. Lots of "big schools" have been reported cruzin', but just not hungry. Some keeper flounder are coming out of the sounds near the mouths of creeks.

Don't forget about opening day at the Surf City Pier, March 30. First mullet wins a free season pass! See you out there!

Go by Herrings Outdoor Sports and see the new kayaks they have in stock. Rent one and do some fishing on the inside.

Remember the big sale going on at East Coast Sports. There is a coupon in the blog worth 20% off some items. Scroll down this page and check it out.

You had better get your Berkley Gulp Saltwater baits while supplies are good. I haven't forgotten how fast they disappeared from shelves last year.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Nice Speckled Trout Today

I met a very nice young man at Batt's Grill in Surf City today that was having fresh caught speckled trout for his supper. The 16 year old young man's name is Bentz Overstreet. Bentz and his party caught 15 keeper specks today in the backewaters near Jacksonville. The fish were all 2 lb to 3 1/2 lbs, and all ate pink plastic shrimp. Although Bentz was excited about catching the trout, he really wanted to catch a red drum. But the reds were scarce today, so Bentz will have to catch his first big red another day. Bentz is from Mississippi, where he says he catches 5 and 6 lb speckled trout "all the time". He has also caught some nice sea mullet this week fishing from Surf City Pier with friends. Bentz said he caught "some nice ones" on fresh cut shrimp, fishing just behind the breakers. Congratulations to Bentz and his fishin' buds for a nice day on the water. Bentz, it was nice talking with you today. I hope you will stay in touch and let us know what you are catching back in Mississippi. Send digital pictures and I can post them to the blog.

I have heard of several anglers who have been catching a few sea mullets as well as small keeper speckled trout in the surf and from the Surf City Pier. So, it's time for me to get some nice white ocean shrimp, and hit the pier. Bandages come off my healing finger tomorrow, so I can get my hand wet without having to worry about infection.

Ok, everyone, get out there and get to fishing! It's time! Let us know what you catch! Inquiring minds want to know!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

East Coast Sports Coupon..Good Deal!

Click on the coupon for a larger version.

Chris at East Coast Sports has just notified me that East Coast Sports has a big sale going on now! Check out the ad above, then print it out and take it by East Coast Sports to receive your discount. Don't wait, check out all the good stuff now!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

World Record Sea Trout

Here are a couple of pictures of a potential world record sea trout caught on a fly rod. The angler caught the 10 lb. fish on a home tied fly. I think the deed was done in Florida. What a HAWG!


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Another Good Day for Caro17

Another email from fishin' bud Caro17. Here is his email.......

IF YOU DIDN,T GET OUT AND ENJOY TODAY . I AM SORRY FOR YOU . IT WAS PERFECT. EVEN THE WIND COOPERATED WITH JUST ENOUGH TO CAUSE ALITTLE RIPPLE ON THE WATER FOR GOOD FISHING . I FISHED FOR 6 1/2 HRS TODAY, JUST COULDN,T COME IN IT WAS SO NICE. ENDED UP WITH . 4 NICE TROUT. 3 PUPPIES . ONE OVER THE SLOT . 1 BLACK DRUM ABOUT 2 LB.S . AND 11 FLOUNDER. ALL UNDER THE SLOT . HAD 6 GOOD LEGAL FISH BUT RELEASED ALL . GOT PLENTY IN THE FREEZER. MISSED THE GRAND SLAM AGAIN THIS TIME BY 1/2 " SO GETTING CLOSER. GO GET UMMMMM.

end email

Wow, this dude can fish! Congratulations Caro17 for a job well done.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Trout in Surf

I heard from Mr. Nick this morning that a couple of his friends had caught a few specks in the surf this week. "They caught them right in the suds." said Nick. Many of you may know Mr. Nick. He fishes daily from Surf City Pier and is known for finding the fish when action is slow.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Jumping Mulet

The water behind our home is absolutely FULL of jumping mullets. School after school pass through. It's fun watching them jump.I am catching plenty of mud minnows, and there are always small shrimp in the trap. The water is waking up after a winter hibernation. Life is good.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Got to breath.....Got to fish!
Everybody has to be somewhere......I think I will go fishing.

Cruzin Reds

I went to the free pier at Surf City's Surfside park. I didn't catch anything, but I observed a school of reds cruising the water right in front of the pier. The water was very clear, so I could see them clearly. There were about 20 or so fish, estimated size around 15 to 20 inches. Some would charge my lure when I drug it near the school, but there were no takers. Could it be that the water was so clear? Did they see my line and get spooked? Don't know, but I had fun watching and aggravating the puppies.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny
Got to breath....Got to fish!

Not Wabbit Season, Fishing Season!

"Be Vewy, Vewy, Quiet.....We're Hunting Muwwets!"

I saw the first sea mullet of the season today. It was caught on fresh shrimp in the surf. The angler said he had just begun fishing, and was looking for puffers. He had a bite while we were talking, and started reeling in his catch. He commented that he didn't think it was a shark, "Don't feel like a shark." We thought it was a puffer. Imagine our surprise when we saw a 8 inch sea mullet on the hook. Gotta go fishin'!

On the inside, a few keeper flounder have been caught from the free pier at Surf City' Surfside Park. They have been caught on cut shrimp, gulp soft baits, and mud minnows. Gotta go fishin'!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Help Stop the Senseless Slaughter of Dolphins!

Dear Friends, We need to do something to stop this tragedy. The resource is being deleted at an alarming rate. This petition is one small way we can do something. Please consider taking action, as I have done.


Email from Capt. Chris Medlin...East Coast Sports
I got this e-mail from Dick Henry (former owner of Henry’s tackle and Penn) I shows a sad side of man. If you are the least bit squeamish about blood do not watch the video. I am a rough and tumble kind of guy but it almost brought tears to my eyes.

Please Sign the Petition. This is wrong in every way.

Capt. Chris Medlin



Dear Friends and lovers of the ocean. Sometimes the ocean needs our help, and this is one of them

To view the video is very disturbing, to not act in stopping such behaviour would be a travesty ...

At the very least please sign this online petition. Lovers of the ocean and it's inhabitants - this is a clear call to action. To do nothing is to approve of it.

Please take the time to look at the video and sign the online petition. >From little things, big things grow........

And then send it on to as many like minded people that you know. If we build the numbers, we will be heard eventually and things will change, one way or the other

Please help! We must change the way people think about their oceans and inhabitants for the good of us all.

Click on links below

The video - http://www.glumbert.com/media/dolphin

The petition - http://www.petitiononline.com/golfinho/

Captain Tim Dean

Calypso Fishing Adventures

www.marlinfishingaustralia.com
end email


Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Signing off a little sad after viewing part of the video above. I just couldn't watch it all.

Comments Enabled......Finally!

I think I have finally succeeded in getting the comments options to work. Please feel free to leave comments if you wish. Just click on the comments link under the post on the left side. However in the process of working on the blog, I have lost several links that were posted. I will get these back up asap. Thanks for your patience.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

PS.....I get the stitches out of my finger Monday.....GOING FISHING!


31453

Another good day on the water for Caro17

BEAUTIFUL DAY. WINDS LAID DOWN SOME. THOUGHT I WOULD FISH SOME OF THE INCOMING TIDE. 2ND CAST BEAUTIFUL 23" TROUT. 5TH CAST 17" FLO. OH BOY GOING TO DO IT AGAIN TODAY[WRONG]. BUT NOT A BAD DAY AT ALL . ENDED UP WITH 4 FLO ONE 17" 3 JUST UNDER THE SLOT. LOST 3 MORE AT THE BOAT. 2 TROUT ONE 23" OTHER 15" [RELEASED]. HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PUPPIES. NOT A ONE . WATER TEMP 60. THEIR WAS NO BITE AT ALL ON SLACK TIDE. SO IT APPEARS YOU NEED MOVING WATER , ONLY GOT 2 MORE HITS AFTER THE WATER STARTED MOVING OUT .
ENDED THIS DAY EATING WHOLE FRIED FLO WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. FILLET FLO IS GOOD BUT YOU CAN,T BEAT WHOLE FRIED. THEY SAY THE CLOSER THE BONE THE SWEETER THE MEAT. MUST BE SOMETHING TO IT . WHAT A LIFE. GO GET UMMMMM.

Thanks for sharing.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Flonder in the Inside!

Flounder Pictured Caught By Fishin Bud and Blog Reader Caro17







Got this email today from fishin bud Caro17. Read it below.

Caro 17 wrote:

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY ON THE WATER. A LITTLE BREEZY BUT WAS ABLE TO GET UP THE CREEK OUT OF MOST OF IT . STARTED FISHING AT 12.30. TIDE HAD JUST STARTED TO FALL.. WATER TEMP 59 . WAS USING 1/16TH JIG AND 3" NEW PENNY GULP SHRIMP. FISHED CREEPY SLOW. DID MANAGE TO FIND THE FISH EARLY TODAY. AND THE BITE WAS ON . I STOPPED COUNTING THE NUMBER OF HOOKUPS AT 20. MOST SMALL UNDER THE SLOT FISH , BUT DID MANAGE 2 NICE FLOUNDER ONE 17 1/2 , ONE 14 1/2 AND ONE LEGAL PUPPY JUST IN THE SLOT. STAYED IN THE SAME SPOT TILL 3.30 AND THE BITE STOPPED. BOATED 11 FLOUNDER AND 10 PUPPIES. A GREAT DAY FOR ME. SO GO GET UMMMMM.

end message:

Congratulations Caro17 for a good day on the water! Of course to me any day on the water is a good one.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Flounder Bite Picking Up Inside

Hello, Thanks for hanging around while I have been sick. I am feeling much better now. Thanks to all who sent emails of concern. I received a message from a friend, Caro17, who says the bite is picking up in the creeks. The water has warmed up dramatically, and the bite is good. Caro17 caught the grand slam, (flounder, trout, red drum) this week, although the red was an inch short of the slot. The flounder were nice, 16 inches.

I am starting to see jumping mullets in the tidal creek behind our home. I have seen a couple of really big schools of hand size fish, and some schools of larger fish. They are still moving kind of sluggish, but the fact that they are moving in and out of the creeks is a sign to me that the game fish will soon follow. I have cut my middle finger on my right hand. (five stitches) So I won't get to fish anytime soon. So if you go out, send an email and let us know how you did. Good Luck!
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny