Week Ending May 21, 2004 For the Period Ending May21, 2004: Hi everyone, Fishing is good to great just about wherever you choose to fish. A bit unusual is the inshore fishing for flounder and red drum, which while not bad, is spotty. The fish are here, you just have to search more for them than usual. I believe this is do to the cold winter and even though the waters have warmed up the fish are acting as though it is still early spring. This of course could change overnight. Fishing nearshore, offshore and gulfstream are all excellent. Now here's my report: Inshore: Best fishing for flounder has thus far been in the river and red have been best around the inlets. Black drum, along with sheepshead, have shown up in good numbers around many docks and bridge pilings. Live menhaden have shown up near Snow's Cut and Carolina Beach. Fresh shrimp work on the black drum and fiddler crabs are best for the sheepshead. Nearshore: We have had a great start for the spanish mackerel season. The fish have been abundant and good size too. A few spring kings have been caught as close in as 3 miles. Also, a few cobia have been seen, hooked and caught. Offshore: The king mackerel fishing has been very good from 10 miles to 25 miles. Some gaffer mahi have been caught in the 25 mile areas. Cigar minnows and ballyhoo have been working well. Gulfstream: Fishing is very good in the stream. Good catches of yellowfin, wahoo, mahi and billfish have been reported. We are into full swing with this year's fishing. The big flounder should show up literally any day. The weather the last three plus weeks has been outstanding. So get out on the water and enjoy the fun. Don't miss this week's pic of the week: www.rodmancharters.com Let's Go Fishing!!! Capt. Rick Bennett Rod-Man Charters 910-799-6120