Wilmington Fishing Report: Bonito Blitz, Spanish Mackerel, and Summer Patterns Emerge

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your May 19, 2025 Wilmington fishing report. The fishing around Wilmington is just on fire right now! The weather has finally settled down after those fronts we had last week, and the fish are responding beautifully. Water temps are climbing steadily, and we're seeing that summer pattern starting to establish itself. The bonito bite continues to be absolutely outstanding, especially in the early to mid-May period, so you still have a chance to get in on that action. These speedsters are busting water all around the nearshore reefs. They're hitting Big Nic Spanish Candy spoons in 1/2 oz to 1.5 oz sizes like crazy, especially the Captain Jot edition. High-speed spinning reels are your friend here, folks. Spanish mackerel are running strong all month long, hanging around those same nearshore reefs, ledges, and inlets. Watch out for those small king mackerel mixed in – they've been showing up in good numbers, so check your catch carefully for those undersized kings. Inshore, reds and black drum have been steady on cut bait. Both bull reds and slot-sized fish are hitting well. The speckled trout and flounder action is picking up too. If you're heading to the wrecks, black sea bass and big sheepshead have been providing consistent action. Don't forget about those false albacore and bluefish – they're in the mix too, though sometimes those blues can be a bit too plentiful! For tackle, I'm seeing folks have great success with high-speed reels – both spinning and low-profile baitcasters like the PENN Fathom high-speed 300. If you're into the fly fishing game, weights seven to nine will give you a real challenge with these fish. Best spots right now? The nearshore artificial reefs are hard to beat for the bonito and Spanish action. The inlets are firing up too. And if you're wading, the surf fishing has been downright hot lately. For those looking for some variety, keep your eyes open for bait flipping on the surface – that's your dead giveaway that the fish are nearby. If you don't see that action, best to move on to another spot after a few casts. Early morning and late afternoon have been magic for topwater action, so if you love throwing those walking baits, now's your time to shine. With summer heating up, the fishing's only going to get better as those water temps climb. So grab your gear and get out there before the crowds do! Tight lines, y'all! This is Artificial Lure signing off from Wilmington, where the fish are biting and the living is easy. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.