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Springtime Fishing Bonanza: Reeling in Reds, Trout, and Offshore Stunners in Wilmington, NC
Good afternoon from Wilmington, NC! Today is shaping up to be an excellent day for fishing, as spring conditions are lighting up the bite in our waters. Let’s jump into the details for April 4, 2025, and get you ready to reel in the big one.
This morning’s sunrise was at 6:50 AM, and you can expect sunset tonight around 7:32 PM. The weather is mild, with temperatures hovering in the low 60s to mid-70s, partly cloudy skies, and a light coastal breeze. Tidal activity is favorable for fishing: a high tide rolled in earlier before noon, and the low tide will be around mid-afternoon, creating solid conditions for targeting fish in various areas.
Inshore action is solid, with red drum and black drum biting well in the creeks and shallow bays. Using Carolina-rigged shrimp or cut mullet around docks, oyster beds, and structure has been effective. Z-Man soft plastics rigged on Ned rigs are also a proven choice in these slightly cooler water conditions (54–58°F). Speckled trout are showing up here and there, particularly during low tide, often hitting on suspending lures like the MirrOlure 17MR.
Nearshore, anglers are reporting activity picking up. Gray trout are starting to push into the area near reefs, with metal jigs and larger soft plastics both performing well. Additionally, Atlantic bonito are expected to appear soon, and some schools are already being spotted in deeper water. If you venture into the Gulf Stream, wahoo and blackfin tuna are active, providing thrilling action for offshore anglers.
For surf anglers, Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island are delivering steady catches of Virginia mullet, bluefish, and even a few red drum. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp or cut mullet are the ticket along the surf. Around jetties, smaller sheepshead and black drum are biting on fiddler crabs or shrimp.
As for lures, if you’re hunting red drum in the marshes and shallow creeks, topwaters like the 4-inch Top Dog Jr. or MirrOlure 808 in the early mornings and evenings work wonders. For bottom or mid-depth fishing, try scented Gulp shrimp on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jighead. If you’re targeting gray trout or bonito, bring along metal jigs or Clark spoons for trolling.
Two hotspots to check out today are the Masonboro Island jetties and the flats around Figure Eight Island. Both are producing a mix of redfish, black drum, and trout. For offshore enthusiasts, head toward the Gulf Stream for tuna or wahoo action, or check the nearshore wrecks in the 15-20 mile range for black sea bass and possibly early bonito.
It’s prime time to grab your rods and hit the water—happy fishing out there in Wilmington! Tight lines!
This morning’s sunrise was at 6:50 AM, and you can expect sunset tonight around 7:32 PM. The weather is mild, with temperatures hovering in the low 60s to mid-70s, partly cloudy skies, and a light coastal breeze. Tidal activity is favorable for fishing: a high tide rolled in earlier before noon, and the low tide will be around mid-afternoon, creating solid conditions for targeting fish in various areas.
Inshore action is solid, with red drum and black drum biting well in the creeks and shallow bays. Using Carolina-rigged shrimp or cut mullet around docks, oyster beds, and structure has been effective. Z-Man soft plastics rigged on Ned rigs are also a proven choice in these slightly cooler water conditions (54–58°F). Speckled trout are showing up here and there, particularly during low tide, often hitting on suspending lures like the MirrOlure 17MR.
Nearshore, anglers are reporting activity picking up. Gray trout are starting to push into the area near reefs, with metal jigs and larger soft plastics both performing well. Additionally, Atlantic bonito are expected to appear soon, and some schools are already being spotted in deeper water. If you venture into the Gulf Stream, wahoo and blackfin tuna are active, providing thrilling action for offshore anglers.
For surf anglers, Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island are delivering steady catches of Virginia mullet, bluefish, and even a few red drum. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp or cut mullet are the ticket along the surf. Around jetties, smaller sheepshead and black drum are biting on fiddler crabs or shrimp.
As for lures, if you’re hunting red drum in the marshes and shallow creeks, topwaters like the 4-inch Top Dog Jr. or MirrOlure 808 in the early mornings and evenings work wonders. For bottom or mid-depth fishing, try scented Gulp shrimp on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jighead. If you’re targeting gray trout or bonito, bring along metal jigs or Clark spoons for trolling.
Two hotspots to check out today are the Masonboro Island jetties and the flats around Figure Eight Island. Both are producing a mix of redfish, black drum, and trout. For offshore enthusiasts, head toward the Gulf Stream for tuna or wahoo action, or check the nearshore wrecks in the 15-20 mile range for black sea bass and possibly early bonito.
It’s prime time to grab your rods and hit the water—happy fishing out there in Wilmington! Tight lines!
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By Quiet. PleaseGood afternoon from Wilmington, NC! Today is shaping up to be an excellent day for fishing, as spring conditions are lighting up the bite in our waters. Let’s jump into the details for April 4, 2025, and get you ready to reel in the big one.
This morning’s sunrise was at 6:50 AM, and you can expect sunset tonight around 7:32 PM. The weather is mild, with temperatures hovering in the low 60s to mid-70s, partly cloudy skies, and a light coastal breeze. Tidal activity is favorable for fishing: a high tide rolled in earlier before noon, and the low tide will be around mid-afternoon, creating solid conditions for targeting fish in various areas.
Inshore action is solid, with red drum and black drum biting well in the creeks and shallow bays. Using Carolina-rigged shrimp or cut mullet around docks, oyster beds, and structure has been effective. Z-Man soft plastics rigged on Ned rigs are also a proven choice in these slightly cooler water conditions (54–58°F). Speckled trout are showing up here and there, particularly during low tide, often hitting on suspending lures like the MirrOlure 17MR.
Nearshore, anglers are reporting activity picking up. Gray trout are starting to push into the area near reefs, with metal jigs and larger soft plastics both performing well. Additionally, Atlantic bonito are expected to appear soon, and some schools are already being spotted in deeper water. If you venture into the Gulf Stream, wahoo and blackfin tuna are active, providing thrilling action for offshore anglers.
For surf anglers, Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island are delivering steady catches of Virginia mullet, bluefish, and even a few red drum. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp or cut mullet are the ticket along the surf. Around jetties, smaller sheepshead and black drum are biting on fiddler crabs or shrimp.
As for lures, if you’re hunting red drum in the marshes and shallow creeks, topwaters like the 4-inch Top Dog Jr. or MirrOlure 808 in the early mornings and evenings work wonders. For bottom or mid-depth fishing, try scented Gulp shrimp on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jighead. If you’re targeting gray trout or bonito, bring along metal jigs or Clark spoons for trolling.
Two hotspots to check out today are the Masonboro Island jetties and the flats around Figure Eight Island. Both are producing a mix of redfish, black drum, and trout. For offshore enthusiasts, head toward the Gulf Stream for tuna or wahoo action, or check the nearshore wrecks in the 15-20 mile range for black sea bass and possibly early bonito.
It’s prime time to grab your rods and hit the water—happy fishing out there in Wilmington! Tight lines!
This morning’s sunrise was at 6:50 AM, and you can expect sunset tonight around 7:32 PM. The weather is mild, with temperatures hovering in the low 60s to mid-70s, partly cloudy skies, and a light coastal breeze. Tidal activity is favorable for fishing: a high tide rolled in earlier before noon, and the low tide will be around mid-afternoon, creating solid conditions for targeting fish in various areas.
Inshore action is solid, with red drum and black drum biting well in the creeks and shallow bays. Using Carolina-rigged shrimp or cut mullet around docks, oyster beds, and structure has been effective. Z-Man soft plastics rigged on Ned rigs are also a proven choice in these slightly cooler water conditions (54–58°F). Speckled trout are showing up here and there, particularly during low tide, often hitting on suspending lures like the MirrOlure 17MR.
Nearshore, anglers are reporting activity picking up. Gray trout are starting to push into the area near reefs, with metal jigs and larger soft plastics both performing well. Additionally, Atlantic bonito are expected to appear soon, and some schools are already being spotted in deeper water. If you venture into the Gulf Stream, wahoo and blackfin tuna are active, providing thrilling action for offshore anglers.
For surf anglers, Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island are delivering steady catches of Virginia mullet, bluefish, and even a few red drum. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp or cut mullet are the ticket along the surf. Around jetties, smaller sheepshead and black drum are biting on fiddler crabs or shrimp.
As for lures, if you’re hunting red drum in the marshes and shallow creeks, topwaters like the 4-inch Top Dog Jr. or MirrOlure 808 in the early mornings and evenings work wonders. For bottom or mid-depth fishing, try scented Gulp shrimp on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jighead. If you’re targeting gray trout or bonito, bring along metal jigs or Clark spoons for trolling.
Two hotspots to check out today are the Masonboro Island jetties and the flats around Figure Eight Island. Both are producing a mix of redfish, black drum, and trout. For offshore enthusiasts, head toward the Gulf Stream for tuna or wahoo action, or check the nearshore wrecks in the 15-20 mile range for black sea bass and possibly early bonito.
It’s prime time to grab your rods and hit the water—happy fishing out there in Wilmington! Tight lines!