Wrightsville Beach – December 2024
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the speckled trout action has been picking up. Anglers are mostly seeing a class of smaller to medium-sized fish, with the larger fish typically showing up further into winter. The local favorites are MirrOlures, D.O.A. shrimp, and Vudu shrimp.
In the surf, anglers are having success catching larger Virginia mullet and a few pompano. The pompano should be moving out shortly, though.
In the Cape Fear River, the striped bass action is steadily improving.
Anglers getting offshore are finding good bottom fishing, including vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and some of the keeper grouper species.
Trolling action has been a little slow, with a few wahoo making up most of the catches.
James, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that surf anglers have been finding mixed bags of Virginia mullet, black drum, and some pompano. Sand fleas, shrimp, or Fishbites have all enticed strikes from the three species.
Anglers fishing from the local piers are seeing schools of red drum moving around in the surf zone, and some false albacore are pushing bait around the piers.
Speckled trout action overall has improved. Anglers fishing inside are focusing their efforts in the mainland creeks. Artificials such as Halo Shad, D.O.A. shrimp, or Gulp baits are getting the trout to strike. Some speckled trout are out around the jetty wall, with a few also showing up in the surf. Both of these areas will get better as water temperatures continue to cool down.
Sheepshead are also being caught at the jetty. The best baits have been live fiddler or mud crabs.
Anglers headed off the beach have been able to find good numbers of king mackerel in the 25-mile range.
It’s still a little early, but bluefin tuna are already being spotted by anglers out off the beach.
Avery Midgette, of Burgaw, landed this 15 lb. king mackerel trolling a ballyhoo one mile offshore of Wrightsville Beach.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that good numbers of red drum are staged up around docks in the ICW, with better numbers of black drum also now mixing in. Fishing with fresh cut bait or shrimp has been the way to go. Both of these species will school up more moving further into winter, and they will continue to stage around the same docks. The main difference is you may have to work more areas to find a school, but once you do, you are on them.
The speckled trout fishing has been really good, with better numbers of fish hanging closer to the inlet or in creek mouth areas. For both locations, Vudu shrimp or hard suspending baits are getting the job done. As the water temperatures continue to drop, the trout will move into deeper holes along and just off the ICW.
Nearshore runs are still finding good numbers of false albacore. These fish are fired up and striking at casting metals thrown into the surface-feeding frenzies.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that anglers are doing well targeting black drum in the backs of the mainland creeks. Focus on areas around structure, such as docks or oyster beds.
Red drum are starting to group up and push back into the shallow bays or stage up around docks.
Nearshore runs are seeing a bunch of false albacore that are still around, and they’re alongside huge numbers of bluefish.
Mason Murray, of Wilmington, with a 25″ red drum that fell for a white Heddon Spook Jr. with a red head. He was fishing from a dock in the Wrightsville Beach area.
Pierre, of Rising Sun Fishing, reports that the speckled trout action has been improving steadily, with anglers finding most of their fish about mid-way back in the mainland creeks. Floating a live shrimp under a slip cork (down in the 4-6’ range) has been the best approach so far. If using artificials, a popping cork rigged with 4” D.O.A. soft plastic and a longer (3-4’) leader also gets the job done. Something with gold or a little red in the color pattern has been best.
The black drum bite is picking up in the area. Most of the pinfish and other trash species have moved out due to the cold, so bottom-rigged shrimp tends to stick around longer. Target areas that are along oyster bar edges, especially with muddy bottoms nearby.
Out at the jetties, a few speckled trout are around. If you pick a good rock with some current and get your baits down deep (10-15’), you can find some bites.
Anglers targeting red drum are finding schools around docks when fishing for black drum, but these red drum are transitioning back towards the shallower muddy bays.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that anglers getting the opportunity to run out to the Gulf Stream are catching blackfin tuna, wahoo, and sailfish on the troll. However, the blackfin tuna can also be targeted by jigging or throwing poppers over offshore structure.
Some African pompano are showing up out deep, alongside the keeper grouper species.
Just inside of the break (175’ area), quite a few king mackerel have been found.
Moving into December and January, there is still plenty of action to be had when running out past the colder nearshore waters to the Gulf Stream. This is going to be our primetime to enjoy some high-action jigging trips for blackfin tuna, large amberjacks, and African pompano.
Bottom fishing at these deeper structures will also produce triggerfish and yelloweye snapper.
On the way out, pulling up at structure in the 20-mile range can quickly produce good numbers of black sea bass.
Matt, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that the sea mullet are biting well, with shrimp or live sand fleas being the preferred choice of bait.
Pufferfish have started to show up, and some pompano are mixed in with them.
Croakers, black drum, sharks, and a bunch of bluefish round out the catches.
