Wilmington Fishing Report: Red Drum, Bonito, and Tuna Bite Hot as Springtime Arrives

This is Artificial Lure reporting from Wilmington, NC, with your April 30, 2025 fishing update. It’s a gorgeous late April start with the sunrise at 6:20 AM and sunset rolling in at 7:54 PM. Weather today is mild, hovering in the low 70s, and there’s only a light breeze, so the water’s shaping up perfectly for anglers. The tide this morning is incoming, peaking around 9:30 AM, with the outgoing swing set for mid-afternoon—a solid window for both early risers and those chasing the afternoon bite. Inshore, the red drum activity is holding strong, especially in the backs of creeks and out on the flats as those water temps gradually tick upward. Reds are also popping up around Masonboro jetties, hitting both live and dead shrimp on bottom rigs and soft plastics. Z-Man and Gulp baits on a heavier jig head have been consistent producers lately. A few speckled trout and black drum are getting mixed in, and some sheepshead are starting to move back inside—try fiddler crabs or shrimp tight to structure for those bandits. Out on the surf, Virginia mullet, bluefish, and the odd red drum have been coming in, mostly on cut bait and classic bottom rigs. Nearshore, anglers are waiting on the full push of Atlantic bonito, but keep an eye on the deeper wrecks in the 80-100 foot range for early arrivals. False albacore are spread over the same ground, running strong if you can find a school busting bait. Out deeper, black sea bass have been steady and reliable in both size and numbers from 15 to 25 miles out. Offshore action has been a bit slower with the cooler, dirtier water, but folks willing to run long are still finding blackfin tuna and the odd wahoo. Best baits for today: live or fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, and soft plastics in natural colors. If you’re targeting drum, don’t overlook topwater plugs in the early morning for explosive strikes, especially on an incoming tide. Top spots right now: Masonboro Inlet and the jetties are on fire early and late, while the Wrightsville Beach surf is steady for bluefish and sea mullet. Out in the Cape Fear River, work the deeper creek edges and oyster beds on a mid-tide swing for best results. That’s your report for Wilmington and the surrounding waters. The fish are biting, so grab your tackle and get out there—tight lines and bent rods to everyone on the water today! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.