Wrightsville Beach – October 2023
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers have found this flounder season to be an overall success, with quality fish caught both inshore and off the beach. With the cooler water temperatures, speckled trout have started showing up around the creeks and inlet. There’s not a bunch of larger fish yet, but anglers are pleased to see this bite already picking up as we move into fall. With the finger mullet run in full swing, red drum are scattered just about everywhere. Anglers have had success fishing docks or flats off the ICW, around the inlet, and even in the surf. Nearshore trips are finding Spanish mackerel and scattered kings out along the beach. False albacore have started to show up, with some schools along the beaches but the majority out over nearshore reefs. Mahi and blackfin tuna will be found anywhere from 30 miles on out this month. Bottom fishing the deeper reefs is also a great option. Expect more grouper to be caught in the 18-40 mile range.
Ryan, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that inshore anglers have been seeing puppy drum showing up really good alongside all the finger mullet running all through the area. Flounder are everywhere for those fishing live baits, including large flatfish (to 10 lbs.) being caught over the keeper season. Speckled trout action is still focused on those early and late hours. The good news is weather patterns are cooling and the bite only picks up from here. Nearshore anglers are finding schools of both bluefish and Spanish mackerel out along the beachfronts. King mackerel are starting to work their way onto the beachfronts. For now, they can be found anywhere from the piers on out to 15 miles. Offshore runs are starting to see the mahi action drop off, but in their place are blackfin tuna and some wahoo. As the water cools, look for both of these species to fire off in both numbers and sizes.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that there have been tons of flounder inshore for anglers looking to land their keeper fish during the short season. Anglers fishing the ICW docks have seemed to have better success around the higher tides, where on lower water, it is best to target deeper holes off oysters or grass banks. Plenty of red drum are mixed in for anglers fishing bottom-rigged baits for flatfish. Speckled trout are starting to show up a little better as we move closer to fall. The water temperatures are coming down, and this is getting the trout more active. The morning topwater bite still is best, with artificial shrimp imitations being a close second. Anglers jigging or fishing live baits at the nearshore ARs are catching some flounder. As conditions settle, look for Spanish mackerel and (hopefully) false albacore showing up off the beaches in good numbers.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that inshore anglers are seeing the finger mullet migration happening in full force as water temperatures cool down. Bait is just about everywhere inside and out along the beachfronts. The flounder season has been good, with anglers quickly able to find their keeper fish in a variety of structured areas inside. Red drum action has been really good, with fish honed in on live mullet. Anglers are having success targeting docks along the ICW and some of the deeper grass banks and points throughout the marshes. Speckled trout continue to be scattered around as they have been all summer long. The deeper banks and cuts in the marshes have been the best areas to find action. Nearshore anglers have started to see some of the larger Spanish mackerel showing up as they move in from the north. Some king mackerel are along the beach, and the king action overall should be a bit more common as weather patterns stabilize and more anglers get out of the inlets. Some trophy red drum are moving through our area as they migrate south. Anglers have been able find some on the local reefs and ledges.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that October runs out to the break will start seeing better numbers of quality wahoo, and they’ll be mixing in with the larger class of blackfin tuna and sailfish. Anglers also look forward to jigging trips this time of year, targeting the large (citation-class) blackfin tuna, amberjacks, and groupers. Bottom fishing picks up with the slight change in weather. It’s been really good all year, but these cooler waters also see action move in over some of the shallower reefs and ledges.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that runs out to the Gulf Stream are starting to see a lot more action from the wahoo. Trolling ballyhoo under darker-colored skirts at 6-7 knots has been a strong tactic for fishing the 160-250’ depths. Blackfin tuna have made a nice showing as well. The tuna are best targeted with smaller ballyhoo fished behind a long (15-20’) fluorocarbon leader, with a Sea Witch or Green Machine also behind a bird.
King mackerel are being caught out along the beach and around some of the bait pods of menhaden and greenies. Trolling live baits directly around these pods has been the most productive tactic. Some nicer Spanish mackerel and false albacore are being found in the same areas. As the waters continue to cool in the coming weeks, the king mackerel and grouper action will only pick up. Patrick, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that anglers are having plenty of success sight-casting plugs for Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and false albacore. Anglers live baiting off the end have landed barracuda and some large king mackerel (to 39 lbs.). Some flounder (to 26”) have been caught on both live baits and soft plastics.
