Wilmington, NC Fishing Report - Cooler Weather Brings Hot Bites for Reds, Trout, and More

As of November 3, 2024, the fishing scene in Wilmington, North Carolina is looking promising, especially with the cooler weather setting in. First, let's talk about the tides and weather. Today, the sun rises at 7:33 AM and sets at 6:17 PM, giving us a good 10 hours and 44 minutes of daylight. The tidal coefficient is high, indicating significant tidal movements, with the first low tide at 4:58 AM and the first high tide at 10:53 AM. The fish activity has been robust, particularly for red drum. These fish are actively biting, especially during higher water times when they patrol grass edges, and during lower tides when they move over shell-covered drop-offs. Anglers have been successful using scented soft plastics or bottom-rigged dead shrimp to catch red drum, with many in the mid-slot size range of 15-17 inches. Speckled trout are also starting to show up in good numbers, particularly around creek mouths and areas with moving water. Scented Z-Man soft plastics and Gulp shrimp have been the top producers for trout, which are mostly in the 15-19 inch range. Black drum are becoming more prevalent as the water temperatures cool down. Fresh or live shrimp on bottom rigs, especially around oyster bars or deep creek holes during low tides, have been effective. For those targeting other species, Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be caught using casting jigs, while pompano and sea mullet are being caught in the surf using sand fleas and sand flea-flavored Fishbites. If you're looking for hot spots, consider the areas around Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island. The docks in the Intracoastal Waterway, especially those closer to the inlets, have been producing slot red drum using live shrimp and cut bait. The creek mouths and grass points are also excellent for speckled trout. In terms of lures and bait, topwater plugs in the mornings and soft plastics later in the day are working well for speckled trout. For red drum, live or cut mullet, along with scented soft plastics, are the way to go. Fresh shrimp remains a top choice for black drum and sheepshead, particularly around oyster bars and hard structures. Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water in Wilmington, with a variety of fish species active and plenty of opportunities to catch them. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.