Wrightsville Beach – April 2022
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that surf fishing has been picking up, with some good-sized Virginia mullet now showing up in the area. Pufferfish and the occasional red drum are mixed in the bottom fishing action.
Bluefish are just starting to arrive, so look for more action in the coming weeks.
Inshore anglers targeting red drum are finding them just about everywhere right now. The ICW, back up in the creeks, and out in the river are all producing action as these fish start to break out of their large winter schooling patterns.
A few speckled trout are being caught, with anglers having success with various MirrOlures and Z-Man PaddlerZ soft plastics. Over the next couple weeks, warming water temperatures will have the topwater bite really picking up. Heddon Spook topwater plugs are a local favorite and tend to produce year after year.
Off the beach, black sea bass fishing remains strong in the 10-20 mile range.
King mackerel haven’t been moving too much, with most still staged up around the 35-40 mile range.
Gulf Stream trips have been producing wahoo, blackfin tuna, and a fair number of sailfish. Look for mahi (mostly smaller) to also be mixed in with the offshore action as these schools start to migrate into the area.
Davie Waggett hooked this 27″ speckled trout on a hot pink Rapala X-Rap behind Figure Eight Island.
Andrew, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that inshore anglers are seeing some good black drum fishing while working the docks in creek mouths and along the ICW.
There are a few speckled trout starting to move, and though numbers haven’t been great, the quality in size has been. Most of this action is still focused in the mainland creeks.
Anglers fishing back in the Cape Fear and Brunswick rivers are rfinding pretty good striped bass action as warmer waters have the fish more active.
Nearshore anglers have been seeing schools of false albacore feeding on bait out in the 3-5 mile range. The first few Atlantic bonito of the year have also started to trickle in. Over the next few weeks, look for both species to pick up in action as bait pushes onto the beaches.
Bluefish will also start moving into the area and will quickly filter into the inlets.
Offshore runs have been producing scattered (but nice-sized) wahoo, blackfin tuna, and a few sailfish.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that false albacore have started to feed well just off the beaches. These schools have been busting on bait both early and late in the day. Casting metal jigs or Gotcha plugs into these frenzies works well for getting strikes. When not on the surface, anglers can find these fish by trolling Clarkspoons and deep-diver plugs.
The first Atlantic bonito should be showing up any day now. The same casting and trolling tactics work well for the bonito.
Inshore action has picked up a substantial amount with the temperature changes. Speckled trout have become much more active and are now taking interest in topwater plugs both early and late in the day. MirrOlure MR-17s are still having plenty of success, as are soft plastic paddle tails and shrimp imitations. Color patterns haven’t seemed to make a difference as these schools are ready to feed.
Red and black drum fishing has been great with fish now breaking out of their winter schools and moving into areas along the ICW. Anglers have had success fishing fresh shrimp and cut baits around structures such as oysters and docks, or along grass lines.
Some of the red drum are also hitting artificial baits such as Z-Man shrimp and topwater plugs.
Joe Sebes, of Wilmington, hooked (and released) this 18″ speckled trout on a Halo Shad while fishing in the Wrightsville Beach area.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that false albacore have started to show up and are feeding around bait balls in the 5-10 mile range. Over the next few weeks, look for these schools to push closer to the beach as bait moves in.
Atlantic bonito will be here shortly for anglers looking to sight-cast jigs at these surface-feeding frenzies.
Spanish mackerel may move in by the end of the month if weather patterns remain stable.
Inshore anglers have found the speckled trout now moving out into creek mouths and holes along the ICW with current.
Red drum are just starting to break up out of their large winter schools and move around the flats in search of bait. With water temperatures warming, look for topwater plugs and spinner baits to get strikes now that the fish aren’t as sluggish.
Ziggy, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that bottom fishing is starting to pick up as we move into spring. Whiting have started to show up, with some days seeing really good catches coming over the rails. Look for this action to only get better in the coming weeks.
Hard fighting skates and scattered pinfish are also hitting the cut shrimp and other bait offerings.
Croakers and black drum will be showing up any day now, with fresh bait shrimp being the best option for both species.
These warming water temperatures are starting to bring bait in, and with the bait will come the schools of bluefish.
If conditions stay mild, spanish mackerel could also make an early showing around the end of April.
