Wilmington Weekend Fishing Outlook: Trout, Reds, Flounder, and Offshore Kings

Artificial Lure here with your Wilmington, NC fishing report for Friday, October 24th, 2025. First off, **sunrise** hit at 7:24 this morning, and **sunset** will wrap the day at 6:26 PM. We've got about **11 hours of daylight** to chase some fish today. **Tidewise**, it’s a busy Friday: low at 5:57 AM, high at 12:01 PM, and another low at 6:48 PM. With today’s tidal coefficient pushing 76 early and dropping toward 69 by evening, expect strong currents—meaning bait will move and fish will be more active, especially near those tide swings. Weather’s classic fall coastal—clear and mild, waking up to **51°F** with humidity at 89%. Winds are calm, so it’s a great day for lightweight setups and skiffs. According to MarineWeather.net, these conditions will hold through most of the day, so it’s worth hitting the water as those temps warm up. Now the fish: Fall means the **speckled trout bite** is hot right now, with plenty of folks catching good numbers just after sunrise and again at dusk. **Red drum** are cruising the marsh edges and creek mouths on the outgoing tide, and there’s been a run of solid slot reds in the Shallotte and Cape Fear river systems, according to recent reports from Wilmington NC Fishing Report Daily. If you’re beachside, even **flounder** are making a late showing with the cooler waters. Offshore action’s picking up too—expect **king mackerel** to be active around nearshore ledges and artificial reefs. A few boats running out from the Masonboro Inlet have been picking up kings on slow-trolled live menhaden and cigar minnows. There are even whispers about **mahi** holding tight to any debris lines or weed patches, so keep your eyes peeled. For tackle, soft plastics fished under popping corks are crushing the trout; think Z-Man MinnowZ in chartreuse or opening night. **MirrOlure MR17s** in natural patterns are working well for picky trout around breakwaters and jetties. For reds, Carolina-rigged live mullet or cut menhaden is dependable, especially at creek mouths right after tide change. On the surf, sand fleas and fresh shrimp are drawing flounder and the occasional drum. If you’re all about **hot spots**, here’s what’s working locally: - **Masonboro Sound**: Specks and reds tight to oyster beds on the incoming tide. - **Banks Channel**: Flounder and trout hunting deeper holes—work the transitions around the high tide. - **Johnnie Mercers Pier**: Good action on slot reds and black drum from pier anglers, especially on fresh shrimp today. A couple locals shared reports of catching **limits of trout** before 9 AM in the Wrightsville Beach marshes, and one buddy hauled in three slot reds and a keeper flounder yesterday using Gulp! swimming mullets. Offshore, king mackerel are hitting almost every boat running slow-trolled baits beyond three miles out. Don’t forget to stop by your local tackle shops on Oleander or Wrightsville Ave—the bait’s fresh, and the chatter alone is worth the stop before you launch. That’s the scoop This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.