Wilmington Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Mackerel, and Trout on the Bite After Weather Clears

Today, December 8, 2024, the fishing scene in Wilmington, NC, is looking promising despite the recent weather challenges. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect: ### Tidal Report For Wilmington, the tide times today are as follows: high tide at 2:20 AM with a height of 1.22 meters (4.0 ft), low tide at 9:11 AM with a height of 0.09 meters (0.3 ft), high tide at 2:52 PM with a height of 1.33 meters (4.35 ft), and low tide at 9:52 PM with a height of 0.05 meters (0.16 ft)[2]. ### Weather The weather has been a bit unpredictable lately, with a tropical depression and a front bringing rain and wind in mid-December. However, as of the last 24 hours, the water has started to clear, and fish are beginning to reappear in larger numbers[1]. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 7:05 AM, and sunset is at 5:02 PM, giving you ample daylight to hit the waters. ### Fish Activity Redfish are the main target during the winter months in Wilmington. Despite the recent weather disruptions, redfish are starting to school again in shallow waters. You can expect to see schools ranging from 20 to hundreds of fish, making for excellent sight fishing and fly fishing opportunities[1]. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Yesterday, anglers reported catching a good number of redfish, along with some Spanish mackerel and speckled trout. The redfish are particularly active in the cooler weather, and you can also find black drum, especially around docks and on the flats[1][4]. ### Best Lures and Bait For spinning gear, a 7’ TFO Professional rod paired with a Florida Fishing Products Osprey CE spooled with 15 lb power pro braid is a good setup. Use a gold spoon for murky waters, and Z Man Paddle tails (3 inch) on an Eye Strike Jig Head for clearer waters. For fly fishing, a 7 or 8 wt rod with a Rio Flats Pro line and a leader of around 10-12 ft with a 15 lb tippet works well. Choose flies based on water color; darker flies for murky waters and lighter flies for clear waters[1]. ### Hot Spots Masonboro Inlet is one of the best spots for fishing near Wilmington. This area is home to red drum, speckled trout, flounder, and other species. Another great spot is the fishing pier at the North End of Carolina Beach, which offers easy access and a variety of fish species[3]. Overall, with the water clearing up and fish starting to reappear, today should be a good day for fishing in Wilmington. Just be prepared to adapt to any changing weather conditions and capitalize on the windows of good weather and happy fish. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.