Wrightsville Beach – May 2024
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that Atlantic bonito, spanish mackerel, and bluefish have all been caught from the beachfront out over the nearshore reefs.
Gulf Stream runs have produced some nice-sized wahoo and a bunch of blackfin tuna.
King mackerel are being caught out in the 40-mile range, though action isn’t hot and heavy yet.
Grouper season opening May 1 has anglers excited to target gags out in the 25-40 mile range.
Back inside, anglers are having success catching red drum and bluefish.
Moving into May, the speckled trout and black drum bite should both pick up.
Surf and pier anglers have been catching bluefish and whiting.
Ryan, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that inshore anglers are seeing action pick up for speckled trout and red drum, with the occasional flounder now in the mix. Both soft plastics and live shrimp or mud minnows are enticing strikes from all three species.
Black drum are biting well, with sheepshead now starting to pick up, too, as they move back inshore. Action for both will get better moving into May, and fiddler crabs, mud crabs, and shrimp will all work well.
Nearshore runs are producing Atlantic bonito, bluefish, and plenty of spanish mackerel. Most of the action has been focused around wrecks in the 5-mile area. Trolling Clarkspoons, Yo-Zuri deep diver plugs, or casting jigs to surface-feeding fish have all produced strikes.
Anglers getting offshore are seeing some real upticks in the action. Large wahoo and blackfin tuna are being caught with naked or skirted ballyhoo.
Some early season marlin (both blues and whites) are also mixed in.
Grouper season is opening up on May 1, and this will bring new life to the bottom fishing bite. Look at areas a bit deeper (150-200’) to find quality fish that will see less pressure than the shallower spots.
By the end of the May, anglers will be looking out for mahi moving into our area, and the first waves of fish are usually larger.
Jack Wordock, of Tex’s Tackle, caught this bluefish on a First Flight Spanish Mylar jig while fishing on Oceanic Pier.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that black drum remain one of the best target choices when getting out on the water, especially with recent water clarity being muddy. Some shrimp fished around docks is a simple but productive tactic.
Red drum are being found in more areas as they continue to scatter. This pattern continues until the area starts seeing more bait inshore.
Speckled trout are mixed in the action. Though numbers haven’t been great this spring, the fish being caught are a quality size. The specks are hitting lightly weighted soft plastics.
Nearshore runs are finding the spanish mackerel action picking up, alongside a bunch of bluefish in the 2-5 lb. range.
Atlantic bonito are around, but recently the better action has been coming from north of the area.
Pierre, of Rising Sun Fishing Charters, reports that anglers fishing from the beach out to the nearshore wrecks are catching spanish mackerel, Atlantic bonito, and bluefish.
Inshore anglers are having success targeting red drum that are moving around the area. With the schools now breaking up, smaller groups can be found around oyster beds and along grass lines closer to the inlet. Live mud minnows are likely the top bait choice right now.
Black drum action remains good, with anglers now switching over to small crabs to stay on the bite. Shrimp is still a great option, but the warmer temperatures have also brought in the pinfish.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that anglers continue to see some excellent Atlantic bonito action over the nearshore structures.
Spanish mackerel are also showing up out there, with both species reacting well to casting jigs.
Some sheepshead are being caught off the beach and should be targeted before they push inshore.
Black drum action on the inside has been consistent. With pinfish now arriving, the bite may start slowing down, or at least become more difficult.
Moving into May, the red drum fishing starts to pick up, with Carolina-rigged cut menhaden being more productive than the crabs and shrimp used all winter.
Also in May, anglers off the beach should keep their eye out for the arrival of cobia and some king mackerel moving in from offshore.
Wyatt Tominack, of Wilmington, caught (and released) this 31″ red drum while fishing in the ICW using shrimp.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that Gulf Stream trolling trips are producing nice-sized wahoo, blackfin tuna, sailfish, and (possibly) yellowfin tuna.
Moving into May, look for mahi to be showing up around the current breaks.
African pompano action is picking up when targeting deeper structures in the 150-350’+ range.
May 1 opens up some grouper species for those out on bottom fishing trips. Scamps, reds, and gag grouper will be caught alongside a mixed bag of triggerfish and yelloweye snapper.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that offshore anglers are catching some wahoo in the 150-200’ range.
The area is also starting to see the first mahi showing up on the temperature breaks out in 500-600’.
Closer to the beach, the Atlantic bonito action has been pretty good, with fish showing in decent numbers over the nearshore wrecks.
Spanish mackerel are out in this same area, with both species being found best on Clarkspoons pulled behind planers. Once marking the fish, anglers can entice strikes by dropping jigs or casting to surface-feeding schools.
Evan, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that anglers have had a lot of success bottom fishing. Catches have included large Virginia mullet, pufferfish, croakers, pinfish, dogfish sharks, and rays.
A bunch of bluefish are starting to show up. The majority of these fish are smaller, but a few quality fish (to 4+ lbs.) are mixed in.
When water clarity has been good, there have been runs of spanish mackerel moving through.
The pier just saw its first king mackerel of the year caught. It’s still really early, but many hope this first king is a good sign for the season to come.
