Good morning folks, Artificial Lure here with your Wilmington, North Carolina fishing report for Friday, August 8th, 2025.

We’ve got about 14 hours and 20 minutes of daylight today, with sunrise at 6:19 am and sunset around 8:39 pm, plenty of time to wet a line before the heat truly sets in. The weather’s shaping up classic coastal Carolina style: morning temps already nudging into the 80s, climbing to the low 90s by afternoon, with light southerly winds and only a slim shot of a pop-up thunderstorm late in the day. Skies are mostly clear, with enough humidity to remind you it’s August in the Cape Fear.

If you’re watching the tides, the first low comes at about 2:14 am, with high tide swinging in late morning just before 8:30 am. The next low is due just before 2:45 pm, then another high rolling through close to 9 pm, according to the Wilmington tide chart. Expect a decent push of current both early and late—prime for staging fish along the creek mouths and drop-offs.

August fishing in Wilmington is on fire. According to BlackBird Guide Service and Carolina Sportsman, there’s no shortage of species bending rods right now—redfish, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and flounder are all making strong showings inshore and nearshore. Sight-fishing for redfish is heating up, especially on those just-flooded morning flats. Keep your eyes peeled for “back crawlers” nudging the shallows. They’re spooky, so a light presentation like a gold spoon, Z-Man paddletail, or even a well-placed shrimp fly can do serious work.

Black drum are a sure bet for numbers if the water gets a little dirty or winds kick up. Fresh shrimp—dead or alive—pinned on a Carolina rig is still the ticket for these steady biters. These fish are hanging along oyster beds, creek bends, and just about any structure with a bit of flow. Plenty of anglers report consistent catches, especially near the spoil islands back in Hewletts and Masonboros sounds.

Over in the surf and just off the beaches, Spanish mackerel have been blitzing on the falling tide. Folks are doing real well casting Clarkspoons, small Gotcha plugs, and trolling flashy rigs just outside the sandbars. King mackerel are on the move too, mostly near the nearshore ARs and live bottom, and recently the Pirate Plug rigged with a cigar minnow or ballyhoo has been the top-producing lure. Dolphin (mahi) are even being picked off by boats pushing a little deeper, especially when trolling fast with bright-colored skirts.

Smaller species like croaker and spot are around in fair numbers, especially at Sun Coast Pier and Carolina Beach State Park. Bloodworms and shrimp bits on double-drop rigs are picking up enough for a family fry-up. Don’t sleep on pompano in the suds either—banana jigs and sand fleas are your best bets if you’re hunting them in the morning wash.

Hot spots this week: The flats behind Wrightsville Beach early for redfish and drum, and outside Masonboro Inlet for Spanish and kings. The surf from Fort Fisher to Carolina Beach is holding whiting and the occasional pompano. If you’re landlocked, the Cape Fear River docks and bridges have seen a steady black drum bite—shrimp is your friend.

Quick tackle tip: Downsizing your leader to 20lb fluoro helps in the clear water, but bump it to 30-40lb if you’re chasing those bigger jacks or kings near the inlets.

That wraps it up for today. Thanks for tuning in to your Wilmington fishing report with Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates, tips, and the freshest local intel. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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This is Artificial Lure with your Wilmington, North Carolina fishing report for August 6th, 2025.

Locals woke up this morning to a warm and breezy August day, with partly cloudy skies and a persistent southeast wind near 10-15 mph—typical summer fare on the Cape Fear coast. Marine forecasts are hoisting a small craft advisory north of us, but here in Wilmington and the local beaches, the waters have been manageable, with heavier chop picking up in the afternoons, especially at the inlets. Water temps are holding in the mid-80s, putting our fish firmly in their summer patterns.

The sun rose at 6:28 AM and will set at 8:05 PM this evening. Tidewise, we saw a predawn low at 12:21 AM, a strong morning high at 5:58 AM, followed by a midday low at 11:54 AM and another high just before sunset at 6:19 PM, according to Tide-Forecast.com. That means this evening’s outgoing tide should get the inshore bite snapping right through sunset.

Action has been steady inshore this week. Flounder are active around the docks and marsh edges up the Cape Fear and in Snow’s Cut, with most keepers coming on white and chartreuse Gulp! shrimp bounced on 1/4 oz jigheads or live mud minnows under slip floats. Red drum are schooling up tight at high tide along the grass on the backside of Masonboro Island and the flats near Carolina Beach Inlet. Cut menhaden and live shrimp have both done the trick; a popping cork with a live shrimp has produced steady action, and artificial fans have done well throwing Z-Man paddle tails in ‘Opening Night’ color as the water gets clearer on outgoing tides.

The surf bite has been dominated by summer standards—plenty of slot-sized pompano and some big whiting, mixed in with a few puppy drum and blues in the evenings, especially when the tide is pushing in. Best baits right now are fresh sand fleas, small pieces of shrimp, and Fishbites, particularly when rigged on double drop bottom rigs. Early morning and just before sunset have been the tickets for the most action.

Nearshore reefs out to three miles continue to produce Spanish mackerel on Clarkspoons trolled behind #1 planers, especially near the shipping channel markers where birds are diving. King mackerel are hanging just offshore in 40-60 feet of water. Fast-trolling Pirate Plugs rigged with dead cigar minnows are out-fishing most rigs, as Carolina Sportsman reports, allowing for longer drifts and more strikes, especially earlier in the morning before the sun gets high.

Offshore, the king bite has picked up east of Frying Pan Tower, with dolphin (mahi) showing on the edge around weed lines. Ballyhoo and skirted lures are pulling fish for those willing to make the run when the wind allows. Reports from local captains show some sails and the occasional wahoo in the mix.

Hot spots today: Try the north end of Wrightsville Beach, especially the jetty at Masonboro Inlet on a falling tide for flounder and slot drum. For surf anglers, the stretch from Johnnie Mercer’s Pier down to Crystal Pier is holding pompano and whiting. Nearshore, the artificial reefs just off Carolina Beach (AR-372) are turning up Spanish and kings on the morning tide.

Bait shops are fully stocked; pick up live mud minnows, fresh shrimp, and if you’re going offshore, load up on pre-rigged Pirate Plugs and a tray or two of cigar minnows.

Thanks for tuning in to the fishing report—don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates, and tight lines out there! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your June 22nd fishing report for Wilmington, North Carolina and the surrounding waters.

Let’s start with the conditions: Today’s sunrise was at 6:00 AM, with sunset coming at 8:27 PM. Tides are moving nicely—low tide hit at 1:47 AM and will return at 1:43 PM, while we’re looking at a solid high tide rolling in at 7:03 AM and again at 7:48 PM. Weather’s classic early summer: warm, mostly clear, with light winds, perfect for a day on the water according to the latest from the Wilmington NC Daily Fishing Report and tide-forecast.com.

Fishing action is hot just about everywhere. Inshore, red drum are set up along the ICW and scattered through the inlets, often breaking up into small groups this time of year. Early morning and late evening are prime time for speckled trout, with some solid flounder mixed in. For the reds, working topwater lures like the MirrOlure Top Dog Jr or a Top Pup along the marsh edges and oyster rocks during low light hours can really light them up. As the day heats up, switch to soft plastics like Berkley Gulp shrimp or slow roll a Powerbait swimbait near docks and deeper holes. If you find the reds, don’t be afraid to cover ground if they’re finicky—pressure’s high on the weekends.

Surf zone action is strong for bluefish and Virginia mullet, with a few pompano showing up as well. Black drum are around docks and biting well on fresh shrimp. Over at Wrightsville Beach and the nearshore reefs, anglers are landing good numbers of Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Clarkspoons trolled behind planers or cast to surface-feeding schools are doing the trick, and early mornings have been especially productive with some fast-paced surface action. Flounder are hitting Carolina-rigged live baits, so bring some mud minnows or finger mullet for a shot at keepers.

Bottom fishing offshore is producing red grouper, scamp, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and black sea bass. The nearshore ledges are still producing cobia—if you’re targeting these bruisers, live menhaden is your top bait. King mackerel are showing best in the 10-mile range off the beaches.

For hotspots, check out the creek mouths along Masonboro Island for early morning trout and reds—work the grass lines with topwaters, then switch to jigs as the sun gets higher. The nearshore reefs, especially Christmastree and 5 Mile Boxcars, are loaded up with Spanish mackerel and have seen some surprise cobia. Don’t skip the Wrightsville Beach jetties, especially for sheepshead and black drum with fiddler crabs.

That’s the scoop from the water today around Wilmington. Thanks for tuning in—remember to subscribe, so you don’t miss the latest updates and tips. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Wilmington anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21, 2025, on-the-water update—and let me tell you, the bite is as hot as the summer sun.

First, let’s check those tides. According to Tide-Forecast.com, our low tides today hit at 12:45 pm and just after midnight, with high waters peaking at 6:00 am and again at 6:47 pm. You’ll want to pay special attention to those early morning and evening high tides for your best chances—most inshore species love to prowl the edges when the water is moving. Sunrise came at 6:00 am and you’ll have daylight right through to 8:27 pm, so there’s plenty of time to wet a line.

Weatherwise, we’re running classic Carolina June—warm, light winds, and a muggy feel that’s got the fish active and on the hunt. If you’re fishing mid-day, seek out deeper, cooler holes or shaded docks where the fish are holding out of the heat.

The inshore scene is prime this week. Reports from local guides say redfish are staging up along marsh grass edges and oyster bars—getting them to bite means covering water and looking for less-pressured schools. Topwater lures like the MirrOlure Top Dog Jr or Top Pup get the job done in the early mornings, especially with a nice ‘walk the dog’ action over shallow grass. As the sun gets up, switch to soft plastics like Berkley Gulp shrimp or slow-rolled swimbaits—if you’re pitching around docks, try a Powerbait Bonga Shrimp or CullShad for bonus strikes.

Speckled trout are mixed in, especially at creek mouths on the incoming tide. Small soft plastic paddle tails and live shrimp under a popping cork are taking keeper fish. The black drum bite is solid around boat docks and bridge pilings—these guys want fresh shrimp dropped right into their face.

Flounder are showing strong around Carolina Beach and Masonboro Inlet drop-offs. Target them with soft plastics, bucktails tipped with Gulp, or live finger mullet worked slowly along the bottom. Nearshore reefs are also giving up quality flatties for those running a little farther out.

For you big fish hunters, cobia are cruising the nearshore reefs and bait schools. Throw big jigs or swim baits, or try live menhaden if you can find ‘em.

Recent reports have folks landing good numbers—one angler said they caught 30 fish in three hours fishing with Capt. Joe out of Wrightsville Beach. Black drum and redfish have been especially thick, and speckled trout are steady.

Hot spots to check today:
- The Wrightsville Beach marshes, especially in front of Masonboro Island.
- Carolina Beach Inlet and its channel edges for flounder and drum.
- The nearshore ARs (Artificial Reefs) for mixed bag action.

That’s your Saturday rundown! Thanks as always for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates and share your catches with us. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Wilmington anglers, it’s Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21st fishing report, straight from the docks and marshes to your ears.

First light hit at 6:00 AM, with sunset coming at 8:27 PM tonight—plenty of daylight to chase that trophy. Tides are solid, starting with a low at 12:44 AM, a nice high tide swinging in at 6:00 AM, bottoming out again at 12:45 PM, and peaking for the evening high at 6:47 PM according to Tide-Forecast.com. The tidal coefficient holds in the mid-60s, meaning steady current but nothing too wild—great for a range of species. These high tides around dawn and dusk are prime time for sneaking up on feeding reds along the grass lines.

As for weather, we’re looking at classic June fare—warm, humid air and a light onshore breeze. No big fronts rolling through, so expect those fish to stay patterned and active through the day.

Now, let’s talk fish. June is kitchen sink season here: red drum are flat-out reliable in the creeks and shallow marsh, especially early or late in the day. Look for slot-sized reds mixed in with some feisty 16-18 inchers. Redfish are around the oyster points and up against the shoreline grass, particularly on a rising tide. Your best bet: toss a MirrOlure Top Dog Jr. in the mornings, or a popping cork over shallow structure. As the sun climbs, slide into deeper docks or holes with soft plastics like Berkley Gulp shrimp or a slow-rolled Powerbait swimbait. Pressure's been up on some schools, so keep moving and don’t stick too long if bites slow.

Black drum action is still strong, especially around docks with fresh shrimp. Flounder are picking up in the ICW and Cape Fear River—drift a live mullet or jig a chartreuse Gulp along the bottom for your best shot. Spanish mackerel are thick around the nearshore shoals: troll Clarkspoons or cast Spanish Candies to busting schools. Off the piers and surf, you’ll find whiting, croakers, the odd bluefish, and even a pompano or two mixed in.

For best baits, you can’t beat live menhaden or fresh shrimp, but artificials are producing if you favor action. For lures, Gotcha plugs and casting jigs are locking up Spanish and bluefish. If you’re eyeing a bigger bite, bucktails tipped with bait or cigar minnows under a drift line could draw a king mackerel out past the bar.

Hot spots today: Masonboro Inlet for redfish and black drum, and the Wrightsville Beach jetties for flounder and Spanish mackerel. The grass lines along the ICW are also holding plenty of action, especially at first light.

Thanks for tuning in, folks—don’t forget to subscribe for your next Wilmington fishing fix. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Wilmington’s fishing scene is lighting up this Friday, June 20th, and the early risers are in for a treat. Sunrise hit at 6:00 AM and sunset will be at 8:26 PM, giving anglers over 14 hours of daylight to chase a mixed bag all across our coastal waters. Today’s tides: a morning high at 4:58 AM, a midday low at 11:48 AM, and another high rolling in at 5:46 PM. The tidal swing is solid, with a coefficient right in the mid-60s—meaning enough current for active fish, but not so much that it’ll be a grind on docks or grass edges.

Weather’s holding classic June with warm temps, light winds, and a chance for a pop-up afternoon shower—nothing you haven’t seen before. Water clarity remains decent, and with bait thick in the creeks—mullet, pogies, and shrimp—there’s no shortage of menu options for gamefish.

Inshore, the redfish are in summer mode, scattered across shoreline grass and oyster rocks, especially around that rising and falling tide. The topwater bite for drum has been as good as we’ve seen in years, especially early and late. Local guides recommend MirrOlure Top Dog Jr. or Top Pup, but you can’t go wrong with a popping cork and a live mullet. Later in the day, switch to soft plastics like Berkley Gulp or Powerbait Bonga Shrimp, probing dock pilings and deeper holes—reds are picking off both artificials and cut bait when the sun’s high. There’ve been good numbers of slot-sized and underslot reds this week, and plenty of trout as bycatch—some just shy of the 30-inch mark, so don’t be surprised by a big strike.

Flounder are thick in the ICW and Cape Fear River, with many anglers reporting limit catches. They’re hitting on live finger mullet and mud minnows, but a white curly tail on a jighead has been a top artificial. Black drum have been active around docks and deeper structure on fresh shrimp, while sheepshead are showing up in good size—drop fiddler crabs or sand fleas right to the pilings.

For pier and surf anglers, it’s a classic summer mix: whiting, croaker, pompano, and a flurry of bluefish and Spanish mackerel for those casting jigs or Gotcha plugs. King mackerel reports have slowed a bit, but the nearshore bite can pop anytime, especially with a slow-trolled dead cigar minnow or live bait.

Hot spots to hit:
- Wrightsville Beach’s marsh edges and docks for drum and flounder.
- The mouth of Masonboro Inlet for trout and mixed bag action.
- Kure Beach Pier early for blues and Spanish, and bottom rigs for whiting and croaker.

That’s the scoop from your local waters today. Thanks for tuning in, y’all—don’t forget to subscribe for more reports and tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

This is Artificial Lure with your Wilmington, North Carolina Fishing Report for June 18, 2025.

We’re looking at classic summer conditions on the Cape Fear coast—sunrise at 6:00 AM, sunset wrapping up at 8:25 PM. Early morning saw a high tide around 1:08 AM with water rising again at 1:53 PM. Lows are falling at 7:27 AM and 7:49 PM, according to Tide Forecast. These mid-morning and afternoon moves are prime for working the creeks and marsh edges as the water funnels baitfish right up to hungry predators.

Weather’s been typical for June—warm days, light winds, and just enough breeze to keep it pleasant. Water temps are climbing into the upper 60s and low 70s, perfect for getting a variety of species on the chew.

Inshore, the red drum bite is heating up. Smaller reds in the 16-18” range are showing up in numbers, with keeper slot fish mixed in. Most success has been coming from fishing live or cut bait—menhaden, mullet, or shrimp—on Carolina rigs or jigheads, especially around oyster points and grass edges on the rising tide. Topwater plugs like the MirrOlure Top Dog Jr or Top Pup are killer in low light along the marsh, while soft plastics like a Gulp Shrimp or Powerbait Bonga Shrimp fished deeper produce once the sun climbs. If you find them pressured, slow down and work your presentation—cover some ground to locate a school that’s fired up. According to Capt. Jot Owens’ June report, slow-rolling swimbaits like the Berkley CullShad on swimbait hooks in 2–5 feet of water is another solid bet.

Sheepshead are moving in strong on hard structure—think docks, pilings, and bridge supports. They’re running 3-5 pounds and can’t resist a live fiddler crab on a jig head. Black drum action is solid at the docks and creek mouths on fresh shrimp.

Flounder are staging up in both the ICW and Cape Fear River. Fish the deeper creek bends or drop-offs with live mullet, mud minnows, or a well-worked soft plastic grub. Speckled trout are scattered but becoming more active, taking live shrimp under corks and soft plastics.

Nearshore, Spanish mackerel are the main draw, especially for those trolling spoons or casting jigs like the Big Nic Spanish Candy into surface action. King mackerel have been spotty but expect them to improve as more warm water moves in. If you’re heading out further, grouper and mahi are biting well on the bottom and in the Gulf Stream.

For hotspots, try the mouth of Bradley Creek for redfish and specks, or target the rocks at Masonboro Inlet for sheepshead and flounder. The Wrightsville Beach pier is seeing a mix of whiting, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel both on bottom rigs and casting jigs.

That’ll do it for today, thanks for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe, and tight lines out there. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Fishing friends, it’s Artificial Lure here with your Wilmington, NC fishing report for Saturday, June 14, 2025. It’s another early summer morning on the coast, perfect for hitting the water before the summer crowds roll in.

Today’s tides in Wilmington set up well for a productive day: low tide hit at 6:58 AM, high tide rolls in at 12:02 PM, and the next low tide is at 6:37 PM. Sunrise was at 5:59 AM, sunset’s coming at 8:25 PM. Plan to fish the moving water periods for best results—especially around the mid-morning incoming and the evening outgoing cycles, when predatory fish are actively feeding according to the Wilmington NC Fishing Report - Daily.

Weather-wise, we’re looking at classic June conditions—warm, with light southwest winds, and mostly sunny skies. The inshore waters are staying clear, and the ocean’s in the low 80s, making for prime summer activity.

Fish activity has been hot, with a mixed bag caught this week. According to Fisherman’s Post and local charter reports, the nearshore reefs are alive with spanish mackerel and bluefish—anglers trolling Clarkspoons behind planers or casting small metal jigs early in the morning are loading up. Bottom fishing on reefs is putting up solid numbers of black sea bass, vermilion snapper, and a few cobia, with live menhaden best for attracting cobia.

Inshore, the Cape Fear River and ICW grass lines are holding red drum, both smaller 16-18” fish and keeper slot fish. Carolina-rigged live mullet or menhaden are the top baits, but soft plastic paddletails in natural hues are also getting bites, especially at low light. Black drum have been steady on fresh shrimp around dock pilings and sheepshead are showing for folks fishing live fiddler crabs on structure.

Surf anglers are finding Virginia mullet, whiting, the occasional pompano, bluefish, and even a few sharks along the beach. For flounder hunters, Carolina-rigged mud minnows and slow-rolled artificials are putting fish in the cooler; the bite is better around the inlet mouths and creek offshoots. Early and late remain the best windows for trout, with MirrOlures and Z-Man soft baits working in moving water.

For hotspots, don’t miss:
- Wrightsville Beach jetties and nearshore reefs for fast spanish mackerel action.
- Masonboro Inlet and the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin for slot red drum and black drum on the incoming tide.
- The Cape Fear River flats near Snow’s Cut are still holding some flounder and scattered trout.
Best baits and lures right now: Clarkspoons, Gotcha plugs, Big Nic Spanish Candies, live menhaden, mud minnows, and fresh shrimp.

That’s it for today’s report. Get out there, fish the tides, and stay safe! Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for more. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Hello there, fellow anglers I'm Artificial Lure, your go-to source for all things fishing in and around Wilmington, NC. Let's dive into today's fishing report for June 13, 2025.

First, let's talk tides. Today, the low tide hits at 3:57 AM and again at 3:19 PM, with the high tide coming in at 9:44 AM and then 10:07 PM. These tides are perfect for exploring the inshore waters, especially around Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island[6][8].

The weather is looking great today, with a beautiful sunrise at 5:59 AM and a sunset at 8:23 PM. The calm conditions make it ideal for spotting those elusive redfish and speckled trout.

Speaking of fish activity, red drum have been spotted in smaller groups along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and out to the inlets. Speckled trout are active during the early and late hours of the day. Flounder are also biting, especially on Carolina-rigged live baits or slow-moving artificials[4].

For those venturing into nearshore waters, spanish mackerel have been plentiful just off the beaches. Anglers have been using Clarkspoons behind planers to catch these fast movers. Black drum and sheepshead are also around, particularly near jetties, where live fiddler crabs are the bait of choice[2][4].

If you're looking for hot spots, Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island are your best bets. Captain Jamie, who operates near these areas, has been leading successful trips, providing great insights into the local fishery[1].

For lures, consider using small metal jigs for those spanish mackerel. For inshore fishing, soft plastics and live baits are always winners.

Thanks for tuning in, folks Don't forget to subscribe to our daily reports for the latest fishing news. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Hello there, fellow anglers I'm Artificial Lure, your go-to source for all things fishing in and around Wilmington, NC. Let's dive into today's fishing report for June 13, 2025.

First, let's talk tides. Today, the low tide hits at 3:57 AM and again at 3:19 PM, with the high tide coming in at 9:44 AM and then 10:07 PM. These tides are perfect for exploring the inshore waters, especially around Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island[6][8].

The weather is looking great today, with a beautiful sunrise at 5:59 AM and a sunset at 8:23 PM. The calm conditions make it ideal for spotting those elusive redfish and speckled trout.

Speaking of fish activity, red drum have been spotted in smaller groups along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and out to the inlets. Speckled trout are active during the early and late hours of the day. Flounder are also biting, especially on Carolina-rigged live baits or slow-moving artificials[4].

For those venturing into nearshore waters, spanish mackerel have been plentiful just off the beaches. Anglers have been using Clarkspoons behind planers to catch these fast movers. Black drum and sheepshead are also around, particularly near jetties, where live fiddler crabs are the bait of choice[2][4].

If you're looking for hot spots, Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island are your best bets. Captain Jamie, who operates near these areas, has been leading successful trips, providing great insights into the local fishery[1].

For lures, consider using small metal jigs for those spanish mackerel. For inshore fishing, soft plastics and live baits are always winners.

Thanks for tuning in, folks Don't forget to subscribe to our daily reports for the latest fishing news. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.