Wrightsville Beach – November 2024
Jack, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the big talk from the surf zone has been all the pompano being caught on sand fleas and sand flea-flavored Fishbites.
The sea mullet action is improving, and these fish are alongside a few spot being caught.
Just off the beaches, good numbers of false albacore are around.
Some spanish mackerel are being caught by the crowd out trolling spoons or sight casting to surface-feeding frenzies.
King mackerel can be found on the beaches, though they will start moving offshore as water temperatures continue to cool down.
Inshore anglers are seeing decent numbers of red drum, since a bunch of finger mullet are still moving around.
The speckled trout fishing is just starting to pick up. Anglers are finding these fish staged up in their typical fall time areas, and they’re hitting a variety of live bait and artificials, such as soft plastics, MirrOlures, or shrimp imitation lures.
Ben, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that when the weather allows, anglers getting the chance to run offshore have been finding some good wahoo action. Most of these fish have been in the 30-40 lb. range as the area awaits the larger fish to show up.
King mackerel have started to move off the beach and are now staged up in better numbers throughout the 5-10 mile range.
Some spanish mackerel are still being caught by those trolling spoons along the beach.
False albacore are around, but they are pretty spotty as far as when, and how long, they will pop up.
Speckled trout are showing up well in the creeks, with most of these early season fish being in the 12-19” range.
A decent red drum bite is being found by those fishing cut baits around ICW docks. Both shrimp and finger mullet are having success with this tactic.
This is the time of year to find good-sized sheepshead around the jetty wall.
In the surf, anglers bottom fishing in the wash are catching pompano and sea mullet off sand fleas.
Some of the local piers have been doing well on red drum, with both slot and over-slot fish mixed in.
Josh Benton, of Wilmington, landed this hognose snapper 55 miles offshore of Wrightsville Beach using cut bonita chunks.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout have become the main target as the weather starts to cool down in the area. The early bite is still inconsistent, but anglers are finding a decent class of keeper fish (17-20” range). The trout aren’t everywhere just yet, as they will be during the peak of the bite, so the best bet is to target areas around the inlet and in creek mouths closer to the inlet. Topwater plugs are having success early in the morning, and then switching to soft plastics will keep anglers on the bite as the sun gets up.
The red drum action is still good. Most of the fish are being found while targeting docks with live or cut baits. These areas have been better than in the creeks or along grass banks. Some drum are also out at the jetties, with the best action coming on the incoming tides.
Pierre, of Rising Sun Fishing, reports that the speckled trout action has kicked off after recent cold fronts. The best success has come from targeting these fish during falling tides both in the ICW and around the inlet. Artificials have done well, with shrimp imitations (such as D.O.A. or Vudu) on 1/2 oz. jig heads working well in the deeper areas. Look for current seams that are moving off oyster bars, as these areas have been the hot ticket. Another key is to be working baits slowly because these trout don’t want to move too fast for the reward.
A bunch of red drum are around the local docks. These areas have outperformed the grass banks, and cut finger mullet on a Carolina rig or jig head has been best.
While targeting docks, the black drum numbers are getting better with the cooling temperatures.
Off the beach, the false albacore are hanging around the inlets. The albacore have been skittish this year, which has made it even more important to focus on areas with less boating pressure or being sure to drift into the surface-feeding schools and not running right to them.
Anglers doing some trolling are still finding spanish mackerel.
Some bull red drum are being caught by those anglers bottom fishing at the jetties. The falling tide has been best for the bigger fish, with higher tides also seeing some slot and just under-slot fish mixed in.
Tom Favor, of Wilmington, with a false albacore caught on a Clouser just off Wrightsville Beach. He was fishing with Wes Aiken.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that anglers getting a chance to make a Gulf Stream run are seeing a good wahoo bite. The average size has been a class of 25-45 lb. fish, but the larger fish typically arrive with even cooler water.
Blackfin tuna are around in good numbers, with most of the blackfins being quality fish (18-25 lbs.).
Quite a few sailfish are on the break. The bite for the sails is a little hit or miss, though.
Anglers bottom fishing the deeper areas (in 200’+) are catching scamp grouper (to 18 lbs.), hogfish, some African pompano, and even a random cobia.
Jordan, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that it has been all about pompano for pier anglers, and a lot of big fish are being caught.
Scattered sea mullet (to 1.5 lbs.) are mixed in the bottom fishing action.
Anglers looking to do some casting are having success catching the occasional spanish mackerel. The numbers aren’t great, but these fish are still around for those putting in the time.
The pier has seen a few kings caught recently, though most of these late season kings have been smaller (in the 16 lb. range).
