Local Wrightsville Beach Fishing Reports #523

Published by: Mark Mayo

Surf Fishing

Surf fishing has been gradually improving.
Beachfront anglers may catch a mix of whiting, bluefish, pompano, and the occasional black drum.

Atlantic bonito, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish showing up nearshore and around piers.
Gray trout found on nearshore reefs, hitting metal jigs and soft plastics.
Focus on red drum action, with slower speckled trout fishing.
Reds found around docks using artificial lures and live or cut baits.
Speckled trout activity slowing down as water temperatures rise.
Red drum more active in shallow waters, breaking into smaller groups.
Atlantic bonito bite tapering off as fish move on.
Sheepshead fishing picking up around large hard structures like bridges and jetties.
Red drum scattered in late spring pattern, with bottom fishing and natural baits as top tactics.

Bluefish and Spanish mackerel showing up in good numbers.
Trolling deep diver plugs or Clarkspoons and sight-casting spoons at surface-feeding frenzies yield success.
Spanish mackerel fishing consistent in the 2-3 mile range.
Casting Stingsilvers and similar metal casting jigs or trolling Clarkspoons and deep diver plugs works well.

Blackfin tuna and wahoo being caught on offshore trips.
Snake-sized king mackerel found in the 3-5 mile range when trolling spoons or plugs.
Larger king mackerel in the 20-25 mile range, with spoons behind planers and dead bait rigs working well.
Blackfin tuna action improving, while wahoo catches dwindle as warmer water moves in.
Early season mahi starting to appear.
African pompano caught on offshore jigging trips.
Billfishing not yet consistent, but white marlin and blue marlin sightings reported.
Large blackfin tuna being caught in the area.
King mackerel in the upper 60s and low 70s water temperatures, caught with Drone spoons or slow-trolled dead cigar minnows.
Gulf Stream action steady, with blackfin tuna caught near the 170 Rock and areas like the Steeples.
Grouper season opening May 1st, targeting deeper (160-300′) structured areas for scamps, gags, and yellow-eye snapper.
Yellowfin tuna bite inconsistent, but aggressive when feeding.
Sailfish and white marlin sightings reported.

Good numbers of bluefish and Spanish mackerel being caught.
Better sizes of both species expected in the coming weeks as more schools migrate into the region.

Surf fishing is gradually improving, with a mix of species available for beachfront anglers.
Inshore fishing focuses on red drum action, while speckled trout activity slows down.
Nearshore fishing boasts good numbers of bluefish and Spanish mackerel, with trolling and casting methods proving successful.
Offshore fishing sees catches of blackfin tuna, wahoo, and early season mahi, while billfishing is not yet consistent.
Pier fishing features good numbers of bluefish and Spanish mackerel, with larger specimens expected in the coming weeks.
Grouper season opens on May 1st, offering opportunities to target deeper structured areas for various species.