Wrightsville Beach – December 2023
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that inshore anglers are seeing improvements in the speckled trout action. Red drum and black drum are in the mix inshore, too, with the bite for both being spotty as they transition to the colder temperatures. Some sheepshead are being caught, though they are winding down and pushing out. Anglers out in the surf and on the piers are catching whiting, spot, rays, and bluefish.
Nearshore anglers have been catching Atlantic bonito, red drum, bluefish, and gray trout, and the 10-20 mile range has been holding king mackerel and small spanish mackerel. Anglers out bottom fishing are finding the keeper grouper species (scamps and reds) in the 20-40 mile range.
Gulf Stream runs are producing wahoo and blackfin tuna. Over the winter, the surf zone will hold Virginia mullet and the occasional red drum. Nearshore black sea bass action picks up in the 15-30 mile range, and offshore anglers will be watching for good temperature breaks to target kings or wahoo.
Ryan, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that speckled trout fishing has been a bit up and down with the fluctuations in weather. As conditions stabilize, the trout bite should pick up. Anglers are having success with soft plastics or live shrimp.
Red drum have been gathering into schools in the backs of creeks. Black drum are being caught by casting cut or live shrimp around docks and other hard structure. Anglers fishing off the beach are finding bluefish and the occasional late season Spanish mackerel.
Malachi, Micah, and Selah Anderson, of Wilmington, caught these red drum, black drum, and sea mullet while fishing from the surf at Wrightsville Beach using shrimp.
Bottom fishing at the nearshore reefs is picking up, with black sea bass moving in close now that waters are cooling. The 10+ mile range will see some of the larger sea bass. Offshore runs have been seeing some decent wahoo action. Moving later into winter, the wahoo will remain a staple of offshore efforts.
Inshore anglers getting on the water over the colder months can follow the same patterns they are seeing now. Target the area creeks, and be patient with fishing baits slow. The water clarity is gin-clear, and anglers need to be stealthy when getting back into their target areas. Another winter bite is bluefin tuna. Some fish have already been spotted, and these giants will be passing through for anglers rigged to target these fish.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout are here, but the action this season hasn’t seen a big push of fish like previous years. There are trout to be caught, but anglers definitely have had to move around to find the groups of fish. Targeting areas in 3-7’ depths with moving water closer to the inlet has been the best tactic. With cooler weather being more consistent moving forward, the bite should remain good and become easier to pattern.
Going into January, the trout will be moving up into the mainland creeks and staging up in holes with muddy bottoms that will help hold heat better than surrounding areas. Red drum can be caught fishing fresh shrimp around docks, and anglers fishing these docks are also catching black drum.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that speckled trout have been staged up in areas of little current in basins and in deep, slow-moving creeks closer to the inlet. Schools of red drum are both inside and out along the surf zone.
Black drum and some reds are being caught around inshore docks. Natural baits such as shrimp or a Gulp shrimp rigged weightless have produced bites. For anglers looking to get outside the inlet, sheepshead and tautog are staged on the nearshore wrecks.
Carson Rogers, of Wilmington, reeled in this 46.7 lb. wahoo while 20 miles offshore of Wrightsville Beach using a 4 oz. Big Nic rigged with a ballyhoo.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that water temperatures have tended to stay warmer longer, and this has translated to a slower turn into our winter fishing season. The offshore action is about one month behind. Gulf Stream trolling trips are finding blackfin tuna, sailfish, and wahoo.
The bottom fishing out on the break has been producing triggerfish, scamp grouper, and yelloweyes, and these species should be around through the end of the year. African pompano haven’t really shown up yet, but they will be here anytime and will be a big part of the jigging action through March.
The winter jigging trips also see some great action on blackfin tuna and large amberjacks. Bluefin tuna have already been spotted in the region. Anglers rigged for this fishery are looking for those beach water temperatures to hit the 57-degree mark.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore anglers have seen a strong showing of Atlantic bonito over the last few weeks. Most of the action has been around the nearshore reefs. Gray trout action picks up around these same nearshore reefs moving into winter. Live bait or jigs both produce strikes. The offshore fishing has been improving, with runs to the Gulf Stream seeing good numbers of sailfish, blackfin tuna, and wahoo.
Wahoo have been tuned into the darker-colored Ilanders rigged with ballyhoo. Having some wire on the rig is also key for getting this larger class of wahoo into the boat. Blackfin tuna can be caught with smaller ballyhoo rigged on Sea Witches, or with some 60-80 lb. fluorocarbon in front of small artificial plugs. Both setups for the tuna should be pulled at 6-7 knots.
Kara, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that anglers saw a nice run of Atlantic bonito, and some false albacore were also sprinkled in with the sight-casting action. Bottom fishing efforts have produced sea mullet (to 1.7 lbs.) and the occasional black drum.
