Wilmington Fishing Forecast: Bull Reds, Macks, and Trout Bite on 10/24

For October 24th in Wilmington, North Carolina, the fishing conditions are looking promising. Here’s what you need to know: ### Tidal and Weather Conditions The tidal cycle today shows a high tide at around 8:30 AM and a low tide at 2:30 PM. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze, making it ideal for a day on the water. Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 6:24 PM. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a strong bite for several species. Red drum, particularly the bigger "Bull Reds," were active in the ocean on hard bottoms and around the inlets. Anglers caught plenty of Spanish mackerel, both by casting to surface-feeding schools and by trolling Clark spoons. Speckled trout were also on the bite, especially in the creeks, along ICW docks, and oyster rocks. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Red drum were plentiful, with many slot-sized fish and some over-slot catches up to 35 inches. Spanish mackerel were abundant, with some citation-size false albacore mixed in. Speckled trout were caught in decent numbers, especially with live shrimp under floats. Black drum and flounder were also caught, particularly around structures like docks and oyster beds. ### Best Lures and Bait For red drum, use fresh cut or live menhaden or mullet on Carolina rigs with TroKar TK5BS 9/0 Circle hooks and eighty-pound clear Berkley Big Game mono leaders. Artificial options include Gulp Shrimp on 1/8oz or 1/4oz Fusion Jigheads, and top-water plugs like MirrOlure Top Dog Jr’s or Top Pup’s. For Spanish mackerel, cast small spoons like Big Nic Spanish candies on light spinning tackle or troll with Blue Water Candy Daisy Chains and Clark spoons. For speckled trout, hard baits like MirrOlures and live shrimp under floats are effective. ### Hot Spots Head to the jetties and inlets for red drum and Spanish mackerel. The creeks, ICW docks, and oyster rocks are great spots for speckled trout and black drum. For a family-friendly trip, consider the nearshore waters up to 2 miles offshore, where you can bottom fish and catch a variety of species. Overall, it's shaping up to be a great day for fishing in Wilmington, with plenty of action across various species. Make sure to bring proper clothing, sunscreen, and polarized sunglasses to maximize your time on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.