Current Adventure Charters

Good weather finally graced us here on the Carolina coast so today I got out to take advantage of it. I hadn’t fished the North Topsail area in awhile, so I decided to see what I could find. I went to an area that I had found some fish last summer. The water was gin clear and the light winds made for a great sight fishing day.

After searching for a short time, I found a body of water that had a great mud bottom which was holding water temps 5 degrees warmer than surrounding areas. Soon, the gin clear water was turned cloudy which is a tale tale sign of feeding Redfish and moments later, I saw the fish scurrying off from the boat in all directions. A few cast later, I hooked up with the first fish of the day, but it soon shook the hook. After missing a couple more bites, I soon had my first fish in the boat.

With my power pole deployed, I anchored the boat and continued to catch a few more fish. Gulp jerk shads rigged on a weighted hook worked well on the school of fish. The fish in the school ranged in size from under slot fish to upper slot fish. Overall, it was a productive day for just a few hours on the water.

Current Adventure Charters offers inshore and flats fishing charters out of Southport and Oak Island, NC and the surrounding area. Typically departing from the NC Wildlife Resources boat ramp located on Fish Factory Road, Capt. Brent Stanley will pilot you through the scenic waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River, bays and creeks surrounding the historic Southport waterfront and Bald Head Island.

Once aboard the new professionally rigged, 2009 East Cape “Vantage“, Capt. Brent will provide safe passage to some of the best fishing that the lower Cape Fear River has to offer. Whether you book a full or half day trip, you will be awed by the natural beauty of the area, not to mention the great fishing. Redfish, Speckled Trout and Flounder are common catches while fishing upon the calm backwaters, creeks and bays.

During your trip you will see historic landmarks such as Battery Island, Fort Fisher. Fort Caswell as well as luxurious Bald Head Island. A great opportunity awaits for both beginners and experienced anglers to catch the fish of a lifetime. Within minutes of the boat landing you will be in some of the best Redfish waters on the East Coast including Still Creek, Deep Creek, the rock wall, the “Cribbins” and of course the legendary Buzzards Bay!! With over 35 years of local fishing experience  Southport Fishing Trip will be an experience to remember. Call or email today to reserve your “Current Adventure”

Jig fishing is one of my all time favorite methods of catching Redfish. Over the years, it has been a tried and true way for me to bag my quarry of choice. Bass fisherman have fished jigs for decades with much success and though not many Redfish anglers fish jigs, I am here to tell you that they are missing the boat!!

When it comes to jigs, I prefer to fish lightweight jigs in shallow water. By lightweight, I mean jigs that are 1/8 to 1/4oz and by shallow I am typically fishing in water less than 5 feet deep. I prefer an arrowhead or flat headed jig that is tied with deer hair. The flat jig flutters from side to side as it descends in the water column and pulls through the weeds, grass and oyster beds better than round headed or other types of jigs. The hollow fibers of deer hair allow the jig to appear full in the water and in my opinion makes it easier for the fish to see the bait. If possible, try to find a jig with at least a 3/0 hook, preferably of the black nickle type. This type of jig may not always to be easy to find in deer hair, so if you can find one without any dressing, you may want to consider tying your own deer hair on it. Your favorite fly shop should have everything you need and for a few dollars, you can get enough thread, hair and glue to tie hundreds of jigs.It doesn’t have to be pretty, but I promise you it will catch fish. As far as colors go, I prefer to fish darker colors or a mixture of dark colors on top with lighter colors on the bottom. A little gold or copper mylar flash never hurts either.

When fishing the jig, I like to use a 7-foot, graphite, light action rod matched with a 3000 series spinning reel and 10lb braid line. The light action rod will “load up” when casting, allowing you to make longer cast with the lightweight jigs. The graphite rod and the braid line will allow you to feel every little bump, rock, and oyster shell as you move the lure across the bottom.

As far as how to fish the jig, I like to fish it along a grass line at high tide. I like to pop it off of the bottom and then let it fall back down. Many times, the fish will eat the jig while it is descending and when you “pop” the jig up again, you are automatically setting the hook. Other times you will feel the distinct “bump” of the Redfish inhaling the jig and then you should immediately set the hook before the fish has a chance to swallow the jig. In the summer months, I will tip the jig with a small piece of fishbites™. It doesn’t take very much, just enough to give off a little scent in the water. In the winter months when the Pinfish are gone, I will tip it with a Berkley Gulp™ jerk shad or swimming mullet. What ever time of year it is, I will typically fish the bait slowly, especially in the colder water of winter.

So the next time you are out on the flats, try fishing a jig. The Redfish will thank you and then you will thank me!!

Tight lines and good fishing!!

If you are visiting Bald Head Island, be sure to book a trip with Current Adventure Charters to experience  the first class fishing that the lower Cape Fear River has to offer. Captain Brent Stanley, a native of the North Carolina Coast,  has enjoyed over 35 years navigating and fishing the local waters of this region and offers charter services for Bald Head Island, Southport and the Oak Island NC area. Current Adventure Charters specializes in small groups but can accommodate most any request. A provision for additional Captain services can be arranged to accommodate larger parties.

Capt. Brent always has competitive rates but more importantly, you will find your fishing experience is both pleasurable and educational.

Current Adventure offers inshore and flats charters in and around the backwater creeks, flats and bays of Bald Head  in the shadow of the islands historic lighthouse “Old Baldy”.  No need to worry about having a NC saltwater fishing license as the captain will provide that for you.

Throughout your adventure, one might expect to catch Flounder, Redfish, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, Gray Trout, and much, much more. While on your expedition, you will be amazed by the wildlife and scenic beauty of such places as Buzzards Bay, Cedar Creek, Deep Creek, old Corn Cake Inlet as well as the Cape Fear River and the Southport waterfront.

Captain Brent will teach you specific characteristics and habits of the species of fish you are targeting and equip you with the techniques needed to catch them.

So call today so you too can enjoy a memorable day on the water with one of North Carolinas most experienced and knowledgeable fishing guides.

While vacationing on Topsail Island, NC, be sure and make time to take advantage of the great fishing that the Topsail beaches have to offer. Whether you want to explore the calm waters of the intracoastal waterway and it’s tributaries or chase the big game fish of the Atlantic Ocean, I have charter packages to meet your needs and budgets.

As a native of the Topsail area, I have over 35 years experience fishing out of New Topsail Inlet, Surf City, North and SouthTopsail Beach and all of the adjacent waters. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, I will pull out all the stops to ensure that your trip is a safe one as well as enjoyable,  educational and successful!!

When you book a Full or Half day trip with Current Adventure Charters, you can always expect competitive rates but more importantly, you will find your fishing experience is both pleasurable and educational. Whether quietly slipping along Virginia Creek in search of powerful Redfish and Flounder or trolling the clear blue waters of the Atlantic, my number one priority is to make sure that you have a great time!!

Here at Current Adventure Charters, I specialize in small groups but can accommodate most any request, inshore or offshore. A provision for additional Captain services can be arranged to accommodate larger parties.

Call today to reserve your “Current Adventure” along the Topsail Island coast.

My friend Jason and myself took advantage of the best day we have had all year, weather wise. We slid the Vantage into the water early and headed for the ocean. The seas were flat calm and the water was Gin clear. Jason and I eased along the beach and it didn’t take long to spot the fish. There were hundreds of Reds holding tight to the surf zone and the glistened in the sunlight as they rode the waves. The only downside was that the water temp was 47.8°F and they just didn’t want to bite.

We threw everything in the tackle box at them. Gulps, Mirrorlures, gold spoons and bucktail jigs. We did manage to catch 4 or 5 fish this morning, but we would have like to caught more. The cold temperatures and the fact that these fish have been pressured hard the last few weeks had given these fish a big case of lockjaw. However, it was great to be on the water and it is awesome to see so many redfish in the water at once.

Tight lines to all.

Capt. Brent

I have just confirmed that I will be appearing at the 2010 Christian Sportsman “Fish Fest” fishing school on February 20, 2010. I will be giving seminars on near shore Dolphin (Mahi) fishing as well as inshore flats fishing for Redfish.

If you are in the area, don’t miss out on this event. It will be very informative with a lot of one on one class room instruction. There will be lots of other guides and captains other than myself there as well.

I will post more information as it becomes available. Mark you calendars now!!!!

BTW….there are large schools of Redfish off of the beach that are very hungry. Despite the extreme cold weather we have been having, the fish are on the beach and are easy to catch when the weather permits us to get out.

Tight lines!!

Capt. Brent

Hope you all have a Great New Year and catch lots of fish in 2010!!!

Captain Brent

After spending time with family and eating way too much food on Thanksgiving, I was able to get back on the water Saturday. Saw Midnight Wind and another long time friend at the ramp in the morning. My guest for the day arrived and we set out to try and find those Specks that bit so well earlier in the week.

The bite was not to be. Water temps had dropped 10 degrees and the bite just wasn’t there. I talked to both Midnight and others and Midnight was the only one I spoke to that had a fish. I just think they are drawn to Midnight.

Sunday was much better, but not until late in the afternoon. I tried several spots and had only managed one keeper Speck when I decided to pole into some shallow flats hoping to find some warmer water. The mid afternoon sun had the skinny water back up in the low 60’s. With the sun in my face, I couldn’t see the two or three schools of fish that I spooked until I was right on top of them, but when the water started to rise, the bite turned on. I saw tailing fish (yes in late November) and had a 28-1/2″ Red try and eat my popping cork. Luckily, he ate the DOA shrimp that was tied below it. A gold spoon tipped with a white curly tail grub seemed to have the most effect.

Ended up with 10 Reds for the afternoon. All slot fish with the exception of 1 rat and 1 overslot.

Tight lines!!!

Here’s wishing that you and yours have had a wonderful Thanksgiving! May we all have lots of tight lines and not forget about those that are less fortunate than ourselves. Also I would like to express a very special Thank You to all of the men and women serving in our armed forces. God Bless you all!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Capt. Brent and Karen!!