Wilmington Fishing Forecast: Trout, Redfish, and Stripers Abound on December 29, 2024

Today, December 29, 2024, in Wilmington, North Carolina, the fishing conditions are looking promising, especially for those familiar with the local waters. ### Tidal Report The tide times for today are as follows: the first low tide is at 2:19 AM with a height of 0.03 meters (0.11 ft), the first high tide is at 8:28 AM with a height of 1.36 meters (4.47 ft), the second low tide is at 3:11 PM with a height of 0.09 meters (0.28 ft), and the second high tide is at 8:36 PM with a height of 1.14 meters (3.75 ft)[2]. ### Weather and Daylight Sunrise is at 7:17 AM, and sunset will be at 5:11 PM, giving us about 9 hours and 54 minutes of daylight. The moonrise is at 6:21 AM, and moonset is at 3:50 PM. This combination of daylight and moon phases can influence fish activity, especially during the major and minor solunar times[2]. ### Fish Activity December is a good month for catching bigger speckled trout, particularly with the colder weather fronts. Yesterday, anglers reported success with hard baits like MirrOlures, especially the 17MR and 22MR series. Live bait such as smaller finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp also worked well, especially when floated with a cork in shallow waters or rigged on light Carolina rigs in deeper waters[4]. ### Best Lures and Bait For speckled trout, hard baits like MirrOlures and live baits such as finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp are highly recommended. For redfish, scented grubs like the Berkley Gulp Dragon tail or shrimp on a light Carolina rig have been effective. If you're targeting striped bass in the Cape Fear River, swim bait lures like Berkley Power Bait Cull shad are a good choice[4]. ### Hot Spots Some of the best spots to fish in the Wilmington area include Wrightsville Beach Marina, Campbell Island, and Dick Bay for beach and bay fishing. For harbor and marina fishing, look at the sheltered environments around the city's harbors, as these areas attract a wide variety of bait fish. The Cape Fear River is also a great spot for striped bass, focusing on drop-offs and grass lines along the river's edge[3]. Overall, today's conditions, with the right lures and bait, should make for a productive fishing day in Wilmington. Just remember to check the current weather forecast and adjust your strategy accordingly. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.