Wrightsville Beach – May 2022
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that inshore anglers have found the topwater bite picking up for red drum, and black drum fishing is consistent when targeting the inshore hard structures and docks with shrimp.
Speckled trout are mixed in deeper holes throughout the ICW. Most strikes have been first thing in the morning and generated by a variety of topwater plugs.
Nearshore fishing has picked up. Good-sized spanish mackerel (to 6 lbs.) and Atlantic bonito have moved into the 2-5 mile range. False albacore are also moving into this area, with anglers having success both trolling spoons and casting jigs at surface-feeding frenzies.
Further out in the 18-25 mile range, bottom fishing with squid has been producing keeper-sized black sea bass and grunts.
A few king mackerel have started to move in from well offshore, though most of the action is still out in the 25+ mile range. Look for schools to move over structure, such as 23 Mile Rock, any day.
Trips to the Stream have been producing wahoo and some sailfish.
Surf fishing has been heating up now that water temperatures have become more stable. Bottom rigs are producing sea mullet, bluefish, a few pufferfish, and some large pompano. Speckled trout are in the surf zone, too, with a few also being caught at the local piers.
Zakk Kirby, of Wilmington, caught this African pompano on a 4 oz. Leviathan Lures Squid Jig while fishing 38 miles out of Wrightsville Beach.
Ben, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that speckled trout action has been picking up for anglers fishing around the Masonboro Jetty wall and deeper holes along the ICW.
Red drum have started striking at topwater plugs worked back on the flats. Gulp or Z-Man soft plastic jerk shads have also had plenty of success when conditions are too windy or the fish are holding deeper. For now, most of the schools are staged back in the marshy areas.
Black drum fishing has been steady when soaking shrimp around inshore docks.
Sheepshead are moving back inshore, with most action around the inlet or back in the Cape Fear River.
River anglers fishing structure near Downtown are still catching a few striped bass.
Spanish mackerel and Atlantic bonito have shown up off the beaches. Anglers are having success while trolling around bait with Yo-Zuri deep diver plugs and Clarkspoons behind #1-2 planers. When the fish are actively feeding on the surface, casting Big Nic jigs has provided strikes.
Bluefish and false albacore are mixed in this nearshore action.
Bottom fishing anglers are still finding plenty of keeper black sea bass in the 20-mile range.
Gulf Stream trips are producing large blackfin tuna, wahoo, and scattered yellowfin while trolling.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that good numbers of Atlantic Bonito are around. They’re striking at Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri deep diver plugs.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also mixed in with all the bonito action. Anglers getting on the water early have found good sight fishing action while casting metal jigs into surface-feeding schools.
There has been a good gray trout bite at some of the nearshore wrecks. The weakfish have been hitting just about any artificial bait you drop down in front of them.
Red drum and black drum fishing bite has stayed steady throughout the inshore waters. Fresh cut baits and shrimp fished close to structure has been getting their attention.
Speckled trout are doing great close to the area’s inlets and in the creeks. Topwater baits fished first thing in the morning are producing strikes, as are Z-Man soft plastic shrimp, Vudu shrimp, or hard suspending lures.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that sheepshead have started to show up in good numbers around the area’s inlets and nearshore reefs. They will spend these next few weeks pushing inshore, where they will stage up around rock structures, pilings, and bridges.
The inshore red drum have mostly broken out of their larger schools into smaller pods, and they are moving around with the bait.
Speckled trout action has been decent in the coastal rivers as they move out of wintering holes. Most anglers are still finding the best strikes while fishing suspending lures. The trout bite should continue to produce as these fish move out to feed on the bait pushing around inshore.
Nearshore action has really kicked off with both Atlantic bonito and large spanish mackerel (to 8 lbs.) showing up thick in the 15-50’ depth range.
Andrew Weiler, of Charlotte, hooked this bonito on a pink Yo-Zuri crystal minnow deep diver near the Liberty Ship.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that May is a great month for blackfin tuna action out on the break. Anglers will find action while trolling, jigging, and casting poppers to active schools.
Wahoo and scattered sailfish are in these same areas for anglers trolling.
Mahi will start showing up anytime over the next few weeks. This first wave of fish varies quite a bit in sizing, with most larger fish showing around the end of May. Keep an eye out for the arrival of bait (flying fish and sardines) for clues on when to start targeting the mahi.
The billfish (white and blue marlin) tend to show up around the same time the mahi arrive.
African pompano action has been good and should continue to be good into May.
The deep-water bottom fishing kicks off in May with grouper keeper season opening. Anglers targeting the 225-400’ depths will find a mixed bag of the sub-tropical bottomfish, from gags and scamp grouper to yellowmouth and mutton snappers.
Matt, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that the first few spanish mackerel (18” range) have started to move their way into the area.
Some schools of smaller bluefish have already been working the pier. Anglers are having success while sight casting Gotcha plugs at surface-feeding frenzies.
Bottom fishing remains strong, with a mixed bag of Virginia mullet and the occasional pufferfish. Shrimp, sandfleas, and bloodworm-flavored Fishbites bait strips have all had plenty of success.
