Wrightsville Beach – August 2024
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that red drum action has been consistent, with topwater plugs and artificials currently out producing natural baits.
Anglers fishing the pilings and older docks are catching sheepshead using fiddler crabs.
Flounder are all over the area and biting like crazy, with both big and small fish scattered in the action.
When able to get nearshore, anglers are finding a bunch of smaller spanish mackerel. Starting efforts out around 40’ has been better than the beachfronts. Clarkspoons behind planers remain the top tactic, with casting jigs to surface-feeding schools being an option almost exclusively in the early mornings.
King mackerel are scattered, with the 18-30 mile range seeing the more consistent bite. The occasional king mackerel can also be found close to the beach.
Bottom fishing anglers are having success targeting red and scamp grouper in the 40-mile range.
Those that make the run to the Gulf Stream have been catching a few mahi and sailfish.
Troy Baker, of Felicity, OH, caught this wahoo fishing offshore of Wrightsville Beach near the Steeples using ballyhoo. He was fishing with Capt. Zack Miller on the Reely Packing.
Ben, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers out on the water at first light are having some success with speckled trout. Topwater plugs or soft plastics (such as Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ or D.O.A.) fished on 1/4 oz. jig heads are producing most of the action.
Summer sheepshead fishing remains good. Deeper docks in the ICW and bridge pilings are holding fish for anglers rigged with mud crabs or fiddlers. Both bottom sweeper jigs and small Carolina rigs work well.
Red drum fishing has been consistent, with anglers finding fish staged up on flats early and late in the day. Topwater plugs work well in these areas, with a Z-Man jerk shads rigged weedless also having success during the higher tides.
The area is seeing some better-sized schools of mullet showing up in the ICW.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been hit-or-miss just off the beach.
Some big king mackerel have been showing up anywhere from the beach out to 10+ miles.
A handful of mahi have been caught closer to the beach, but the reality is that it has not been a very good bite all summer.
Bottom fishing anglers have been finding a scamp grouper bite in the 90’+ areas.
Gulf Stream runs have hooked a few wahoo, blackfin tuna, and some blue marlin.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum bite has been really good. The reds can be found just about everywhere, from docks and oyster beds, to grass lines in the marsh and out along the jetties. The reds are responding well to topwater plugs first thing in the morning when targeting grass lines and areas around oysters. Moving later into the day, Carolina-rigged finger mullet or cut baits are producing the best number of strikes.
Speckled trout fishing has been a little slow. A few are still mixed in for anglers fishing topwater plugs early, but the water is too warm for any significant action.
The sheepshead bite is going about as strong as you can expect at this point. Docks and deeper oyster beds will hold most of the fish, with Carolina-rigged crabs being the best setup.
Despite regulations not allowing keeper fish, tons of flounder can be found both inshore and nearshore. The flatfish are hitting just about any Carolina-rigged bait you have set up for targeting red drum.
Off the beach, spanish mackerel fishing has been going well. Trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers or trolling weights remains the top tactic.
Pierre, of Rising Sun Fishing, reports that there’s been good redfishing action, especially around deeper ICW docks and creek mouths on falling tide cycles.
Some speckled trout are being caught early in the morning. Target creek mouths, oyster bars, and some of the longer grass banks.
Anglers out fishing the jetty walls have been catching some black drum and sheepshead.
Ben Guthrie, of Wilmington, hooked this spanish mackerel offshore of Wrightsville Beach trolling a Clarkspoon behind a 2 oz. weight.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that a ton of amberjack are around, and they can be found starting over reefs and wrecks in the 75’ range.
Getting deeper, some great jigging action on the larger amberjacks and African pompano can be found in the 150-200’ range.
This same bottom area out to 400’ will produce scamp grouper, red grouper, large triggerfish, and other tropical bottom species.
Gulf Stream anglers have enjoyed some nice billfishing, and swordfish are another great year-round fishery for our area.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that trolling the beachfronts for spanish mackerel is providing plenty of action. Smaller Clarkspoons behind planers dragged out in the 20-30’ range has been best, with some opportunity to cast jigs at these schools when they’re feeding on the surface.
The king mackerel bite is scattered. A few have been caught on the beach, but most of the action is out in the 10-15 mile range. Live bait or dead cigar minnows are the best options.
Bottom fishing anglers are finding a variety of summertime species in the 60-110’ range.
Amberjacks have been really plentiful over some of the larger offshore structures and wrecks.
Jordan, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that anglers live baiting off the end have done well. The action has included quite a few king mackerel, as well as barracuda and nice-sized spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishing has been a little quiet, with only the smaller of the miscellaneous summer species cooperating.
