Wrightsville Beach – July 2023
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that though there is no update yet on keeper season, a lot of flounder are being caught both in the ICW and Cape Fear River.
Red and black drum fishing is steady for anglers casting bottom-rigged baits around hard structures and targeting deeper holes on low tides.
Nearshore anglers are catching a bunch of spanish mackerel and bluefish off the beaches.
King mackerel are mixed in from the beach out to 10+ miles, and some nice kings are being landed off the local piers.
A few cobia are around the nearshore areas as well.
A few mahi are in the 20-25 mile range, but they are scattered as offshore water temperatures continue to warm.
Grouper and black sea bass action has been strong in the 20+ mile range, and gulf Stream runs are producing bigger mahi, a few wahoo, and sailfish.
James, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that inshore anglers have found a good bite on speckled trout when on the water early. A wide variety of lures are enticing these strikes, including Rapala X-Raps, D.O.A. soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp. Look for the trout to be staged up around oyster beds, especially those with a little current.
Red drum action has been steady back in the marshes, with lower tide cycles providing the better action. Rapala Skitter Walks and MirrOlure topwater plugs are both working well.
Surf anglers have been catching a few speckled trout and some pompano.
The local piers are seeing a few king mackerel, scattered flounder (released), and good plugging action on spanish mackerel.
Nearshore anglers have been catching king mackerel in the 10-12 mile range.
The grouper bite has been strong out over structure in the 80-120’ range. Any variety of baits from live pinfish to cut spanish sardines or cigar minnows have produced strikes.
A few cobia are being caught by these same grouper anglers in the 25-30 mile range.
Offshore anglers are seeing a bunch of billfish (both blue marlin and some sailfish) showing up.
Mahi are scattered around, with most fish being caught by anglers pitching baits under floating debris or at schools showing up under the boat while bottom fishing.
Stevie Cline (left) and Deana Cook, of Wilmington, with a 30+ lb. red grouper caught on a pinfish in 120′ of water. They were fishing off of Wrightsville Beach with Doc Thomas.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are finally starting to show up better around the ICW docks, oyster beds, and some of the marsh grass lines. Anglers are having success fishing topwater plugs in those early, low-light conditions, and then they are switching to cut menhaden as the day wears on.
Sheepshead fishing remains strong around the hard structures.
Nearshore runs are finding really good spanish mackerel fishing, with some kings also mixing in. The king mackerel are pushed tight to the beach, and they’re hitting live baits such as menhaden or small bluefish.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that nearshore runs have found spanish mackerel still really thick off the beach.
King mackerel have been working their way closer in, with the better numbers of schoolie kings (10-15 lb. class of fish) in that 6-8 mile range. Some large kings are mixed in tight to the beach.
There are some large red drum hanging around the shallower nearshore ledges and reefs.
Inshore trips are finding red drum in their summertime patterns. The fish are scattered just about everywhere and are hitting topwater plugs or bottom-rigged cut menhaden.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that offshore bottom fishing is the hot bite moving into summer fishing. Anglers will have the best success in both numbers and quality of fish by pushing deep (150-400’ range). These trips produce a mixed bag, including gags, scamps, and red grouper, as well as pinkies and various porgy species.
Swordfishing trips have been consistent and provide a great opportunity to put meat in the boat throughout the summer. Moving into July, anglers will see more stable weather patterns allowing for these long runs offshore.
Out in the Gulf Stream, blue marlin and some white marlin are now showing deeper as they push through.
There are also some wahoo, though the large amounts of scattered grass and warm water have the bite sporadic in that range.
Dana Stephens, of Wilmington, NC, caught this spanish mackerel using a silver Gotcha plug. She was fishing off of Crystal Pier on Wrightsville Beach.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that the nearshore spanish mackerel bite has remained solid off of Masonboro Inlet. On the incoming tides, some fish are also pushing inside.
There are schools of menhaden off the beach, and some big king mackerel have moved in to feed on them. Anglers slow-trolling live baits in the 3-5 mile range have had some success.
The grouper bite remains strong in the 60-70’ range. There are a bunch of small ones around, but persistent efforts will pull some keepers.
The offshore bite has been pretty hit or miss. Blackfin tuna and mahi will still be caught if you can find a good weed line in 150’ and deeper.
Colin, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that anglers casting plugs have been crushing the bluefish and spanish mackerel. To anglers’ delight, the bite has lasted all day long as these schools breeze by the pier.
Quite a few king mackerel have finally pushed in for those fishing live baits off the end. These bait anglers have also landed other toothy species, including a few barracuda and tons of hard-fighting sharks.
Anglers looking to do some bottom fishing with shrimp, artificial bait strips, or other smaller bait offerings are catching whiting and spot.
A good number of bluefish are being caught by both casting jigs and bottom fishing.
