Wrightsville Beach – September 26, 2019
Matt, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that inshore fishing has been hit or miss lately due to the water clarity, but expect the bite to pick up quickly with the arrival of fall-like temperatures. The speckled trout fishing has been improving, with the best times being early and late in the day. Topwater fishing has been producing redfish and trout at first light, and then the trout will also hit soft plastics and suspending hard baits throughout the day. The reds will also key in on the soft plastics.
Flounder fishing remains strong, despite the season closure. The flounder action has been steady around docks, in the creeks, and near the inlets. There’s plenty of finger mullet around, and the mullet are a good go-to bait.
There’s been some steady fishing under dock and bridge lights at night for bluefish and ladyfish, and the sheepshead and black drum are being caught on fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and shrimp.
From the surf, strong numbers of under-slot to over-slot redfish are being caught, along with croaker, whiting, pompano, flounder, and the first few spot. Throwing casting jigs for the blues and spanish, especially early and late in the day, has also been producing. Anglers fishing with large cut bait at night have been hooking sharks and rays, and there should be some opportunities to catch the big red drum in the surf soon.
The nearshore wrecks and ledges have seen the arrival of some big schools of false albacore. The albacore will hit casting jigs, or you can always troll Yo-Zuri Deep Divers and Clarkspoons with planers. Light lining with live mullet is a good way to catch the bigger fish, though.
The nearshore bottoms should be holding big red drum, gray trout, and flounder. There are still a few cobia making their way through the area, too, as well as some tarpon running along the beach. Most of these fish are going to be near the inlets, around live bottoms, and at the artificial reefs off the beach.
The kings should be pushing in towards the beach over the next couple of weeks, and most of the mahi catches have been at least 40 miles out.
Gulf Stream trolling has offered great wahoo fishing, with double digit days not uncommon. High speed trolling and dead bait fishing have both been producing fish. There has also been some big blackfins, a few sailfish, and an abundance of slinger mahi.
Andrew DiMauro with a 28″, 16 lb. trippletail caught on a Z-Man Trout trick just outside of Masonboro Inlet.
Jamie, of Seagate Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has improved around Wrightsville Beach. Soft plastics from Blue Water Candy paired with their 3/16 oz. jigs have been doing well, and so have soft plastics from Z-Man and D.O.A. and hard baits from Rapala (such as crystal shrimp).
False albacore have arrived along the area beaches, and they are taking a hearty interest in casting jigs. When the fish are breaking on the surface, Sea Striker 1/4 oz. jigs, as well as Blue Water Candy Thingamajigs, will produce bites.
Redfish are in area inlets and in the ICW around docks and creeks near Wrightsville Beach. The larger reds have been chewing live bait chopped or whole (Carolina-rigged) and drifted along the bottom.
While fishing for reds, anglers have been catching plenty of flounder, some weighing up to 10 lbs.
Capt. Alex Benson, of Golden Hour Guide Service, and Adam Couchey, of Wilmington, NC, with a pair of 40 lb. wahoo that both hit a black and purple Blue Water Candy Mini jag. One was caught near the Nipple and the other around the Same Ole.
Trevor, of ProFishNC, reports that inshore fishing is heating up since the water temperature has dropped below 80 degrees. There are nice trout being caught, along with lots of puppy drum in the backwaters. Popping corks with Z-Man soft plastics (especially scented with Pro-Cure) on jig heads should produce for both species.
Nearshore wrecks and reefs are holding bull reds. Live baits will be the best option to get the attention of these larger fish.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that spanish, false albacore, and king fishing is hot within 5 miles off the beach.
Offshore, wahoo are still going strong, with multiple fish over 60 lbs. being caught. Blackfins, sailfish, and scattered mahi are also in the mix.
Bottom fishing has been a little off due to a large storm surge and strong current, but the bottom action should all improve when the ocean calms.
Donny, at Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that the black and red drum bite has been decent. While there have also been a few flounder hooked, most of the recent catch has just been pinfish.
A few trout, pompano, and bluefish are being caught, and the few spot that have been pulled in have been small.
There have been a few kings come over the rails at the end.
