Wilmington Fishing Report: Offshore Bonito Blitz and Inshore Red Drum Action (140 characters)

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Wilmington fishing report for this beautiful Wednesday morning, May 28th, 2025. The fishing scene is absolutely on fire right now in our coastal waters! With summer in full swing, we're seeing a tremendous variety of species ready to bend your rods. Starting with the offshore action - the Atlantic bonito bite has been nothing short of spectacular this month. These speedsters have been busting the surface and providing non-stop action, especially around the nearshore artificial reefs. Spanish mackerel are running strong too, with some small king mackerel mixed in, so check those fish carefully before keeping! For targeting these fast movers, I've been having great success with Big Nic Spanish Candy spoons in 1/2 to 1.5 oz sizes. Pair them with a high-speed spinning reel or a low-profile baitcaster like the PENN Fathom 300 for best results. Fly fishermen are also connecting using 7-9 weight setups. Inshore, the red drum action remains steady, with both slot-sized fish and some bulls making appearances. They've been responding well to cut bait. Black drum have been cooperative too. The bite for speckled trout and flounder is picking up nicely as waters continue to warm. For structure hunters, the wrecks are holding good numbers of black sea bass and impressive sheepshead. Civil War shipwrecks have been particularly productive, with multiple captains reporting success there. Hot spots this week include Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island areas, where anglers are reporting catches of 30+ fish in just a few hours. The inlets have been concentration points for Spanish mackerel and bonito, while the nearshore ledges are also producing well. Weather-wise, we're finally seeing more stability after a somewhat unpredictable spring. This has opened up more opportunities to get out into the ocean, particularly in the mornings before the afternoon heat kicks in. Tidal movements have been creating good feeding windows around dawn and dusk, so plan accordingly. The early bird definitely gets the worm - or in this case, the fish! Several charter captains including Joe and Jamie have been putting clients on excellent action. According to recent reports, one client landed 30 fish in about 3 hours, which tells you everything you need to know about how hot the bite is right now. For those wanting the full experience, don't be surprised if you spot some dolphins during your outing - they've been making regular appearances, adding to the already incredible days on the water. That's the scoop for today, folks. Remember, a bad day fishing still beats a good day at work! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until tomorrow. Tight lines! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.