Episodes

  • Wilmington NC Fishing Report May 2025 - Bonito, Spanish Mack, Black Drum & More on Fire!

    Wilmington NC Fishing Report May 2025 - Bonito, Spanish Mack, Black Drum & More on Fire!
    May 21 2025
    Hey y'all, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with the latest fishing report for Wilmington NC on this fine Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025.

    Tide situation today is looking interesting - water's on the rise with about 3 hours and 45 minutes until high tide. We're working with a low tidal coefficient of 45, meaning smaller differences between high and low tides and gentler currents. That coefficient's gonna bump up slightly to 48 by day's end.

    Sun's blessing us with a solid 14 hours of light today, with solar transit at 1:08 pm. Perfect conditions for a full day on the water!

    Fishing's been absolutely on fire lately! The nearshore action has been the hottest ticket in town. Folks have been hauling in Atlantic bonito in good numbers, especially in the earlier part of May, and Spanish mackerel are running strong all month long. These speedsters are a blast to catch - nothing like seeing them bust the surface before they slam your line!

    For tackle, those Big Nic Spanish Candy spoons in 1/2 oz up to the 1.5 oz size (Captain Jot edition) paired with high-speed spinning reels have been getting the most bites. Some anglers are even having success with high-speed baitcasters when targeting bonito and Spanish. If you're feeling fancy, try fly gear in weights seven to nine for an extra challenge.

    Keep your eyes peeled for false albacore and bluefish mixed in with the bonito and Spanish. There's been a surprising number of small king mackerel in the mix too, so check your catch carefully to avoid keeping undersized kings.

    Inshore, the black drum bite has been phenomenal around boat docks using fresh shrimp. Some folks have been pulling in 30 fish in just a few hours - that's hot fishing, y'all!

    For hot spots, check out the nearshore artificial reefs, ledges, and inlets for those Spanish and bonito. Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island have been productive, with multiple reports of excellent catches. One of the Civil War shipwreck sites has been producing good numbers too - adds a bit of history to your fishing trip!

    For something different, the Trails End area has been firing with bull reds and slot-sized redfish, along with speckled trout, flounder, and more of those Spanish and kings.

    So grab your gear, pack plenty of water, and get out there! This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines, friends!
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • Wilmington Fishing Report: Bonito Blitz, Spanish Mackerel, and Summer Patterns Emerge

    Wilmington Fishing Report: Bonito Blitz, Spanish Mackerel, and Summer Patterns Emerge
    May 19 2025
    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.
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • "Wilmington Fishing Report: Scorching Nearshore Action, Inshore Drum Bite, and Offshore Tuna & Wahoo"

    "Wilmington Fishing Report: Scorching Nearshore Action, Inshore Drum Bite, and Offshore Tuna & Wahoo"
    May 18 2025
    Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your Sunday, May 18th fishin' report for Wilmington and surroundin' waters.

    Let me tell ya, the action is really heatin' up around our parts! The weather has finally stabilized, which means more opportunities to get out on the ocean. Today's gonna be a beauty for anglin'.

    The nearshore bite has been absolutely on fire lately. Atlantic bonito have been thick earlier this month, but they're likely taperin' off now as we get deeper into May. Spanish mackerel, though? They're all over the place! These speedsters are bustin' water surfaces and givin' anglers a real thrill. For tacklin' these fish, I've been seein' great success with folks castin' spoons, particularly Big Nic Spanish Candy lures in sizes from 1/2oz up to 1.5oz. High-speed spinnin' reels are your friend here, or try a high-speed baitcaster like the PENN Fathom 300 if you want an edge.

    Inshore, the red and black drum bite has been mighty productive. Carolina-rigged fresh shrimp fished around boat docks and hard structure is the ticket. Sheepshead are also showin' up more now that fiddler crabs are readily available.

    For those headin' offshore, blackfin tuna and wahoo have been in the mix, with sailfish startin' to show. And don't forget, grouper season opened up on May 1st, so target those rocks and ledges in the 100-110'+ range.

    Hot spots? I'd recommend checkin' out the nearshore artificial reefs and ledges around Wrightsville Beach for those Spanish mackerel. The inlets have been producin' well too. For the inshore crowd, the docks along the ICW have been holdin' good numbers of drum.

    In the surf, black drum and big whiting have been bitin' on shrimp and sand fleas, with some scattered reds takin' cut bait.

    Best baits right now are fresh shrimp for drum, fiddler crabs for sheepshead, and those spoons I mentioned for the pelagics. For artificials, try MirrOlure MR-17s for speckled trout and jigs like Beach Bum or Jigfish lures when you spot Spanish feedin' on the surface.

    Watch for those small king mackerel mixed in with the Spanish – check your catch carefully to avoid undersized kings!

    Overall, the fishin's really crankin' up as we settle into that summer pattern. The variety is impressive right now, so whatever you're targetin', chances are good you'll find some action.

    Tight lines, y'all! This is Artificial Lure, signin' off until next time. Don't forget your sunscreen!
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • "Wilmington Fishing Report: Bonito Blitz, Drum Delight, and More Summer Hotspots"

    "Wilmington Fishing Report: Bonito Blitz, Drum Delight, and More Summer Hotspots"
    May 17 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Wilmington fishing report for this fine Saturday morning, May 17, 2025.

    The summer fishing season is really heating up around Wilmington! The weather's been stabilizing lately, giving us more opportunities to get out on the water. Right now, we're seeing temperatures climbing, which has been great for fish activity both inshore and nearshore.

    Inshore fishing has been productive, especially for redfish and black drum. The black drum bite has been particularly strong around boat docks when using fresh shrimp. If you're heading out today, make sure to hit some of those docks during the incoming tide for your best shot at these drum.

    The nearshore action has been the real standout lately. We're in prime time for Atlantic bonito in the mid-May period, and they've been busting the surface waters something fierce. Spanish mackerel are running strong all month long too. For targeting these speedsters, I've been having great success with casting spoons - those Big Nic Spanish Candy lures in 1/2oz to 1.5oz sizes have been money when paired with a high-speed spinning reel.

    Watch out for some small king mackerel mixed in with the Spanish - be sure to check your fish carefully to avoid keeping undersized kings!

    There have also been reports of false albacore and bluefish in the mix, adding some variety to the catches. For the offshore crowd, boats heading out further have been connecting with blackfin tuna and some wahoo.

    Speckled trout action has been moderate, and surf fishing has picked up with black drum and big whiting being caught on shrimp and sand fleas. Some scattered red drum are also being taken on cut bait along the beaches.

    For hot spots, I'd recommend trying around the nearshore artificial reefs, ledges, and inlets for the bonito and Spanish action. Wrightsville Beach has been particularly productive. For the inshore crowd, the ICW around the boat docks will be your best bet for that solid black drum bite.

    Best baits right now: fresh shrimp for black drum, cut bait for red drum, and sand fleas for surf fishing. If you're throwing artificial, those spoons I mentioned earlier are hard to beat for the fast-moving species.

    The fishing is really cranking up now that we're getting into the true summer pattern. Get out there while the bite is hot, and remember to check your fish carefully with all these different species mixing together.

    Tight lines, y'all! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • Wilmington Fishing Report - Bonito Blitz, Reds and Sheepshead, Nearshore Action Heats Up

    Wilmington Fishing Report - Bonito Blitz, Reds and Sheepshead, Nearshore Action Heats Up
    May 16 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Wilmington NC area fishing report for Friday, May 16, 2025.

    Sunrise was at 6:09 am, and sunset will be at 8:08 pm. We’re sitting on a good fishing window today with stable May weather—expect mild temps in the low 70s early, rising into the mid-80s by afternoon, and light southeast winds making for pleasant conditions on the water. The tide will be incoming through much of the morning, with high tide peaking just before lunch, and then falling through the afternoon. That falling tide is always a sweet spot for inshore action.

    Fish activity sure is picking up as we cruise toward summer. Nearshore, the Atlantic bonito bite is on fire right now—those speedsters are tearing up baits and lures, especially from the beach out to about 5 miles. Spanish mackerel are also showing strong; look for them busting bait schools near the surface. Folks have even found some early season cobia and a few small king mackerel mixed in—remember to check those kings for size before you box them[1][2][3][4].

    A good number of bluefish are in the mix, often in the 12 to 16-inch range, so be ready for a tussle and plenty of bites. Bottom anglers are doing well on black sea bass around the deeper ledges and wrecks—18 to 22 miles out has produced some big ones lately. On the inshore scene, red drum and black drum are holding steady. The reds have broken out of their winter schools and are spreading through the spoil islands, creek mouths, and around structure, especially as the tide starts falling. Black drum and beefy sheepshead are reliable on the hard stuff with shrimp or sand fleas. Speckled trout action has been moderate, with the best luck on MirrOlure MR-17s that mimic the local menhaden[1][2][3][4].

    For lures, Big Nic Spanish Candy spoons from 1/2 to 1.5 ounces are the ticket for Spanish and bonito, especially when cast with fast spinning gear. Gotcha plugs and metal jigs are working for bluefish and surface-feeding Spanish. Deep diver plugs are your best bet if you’re hunting bonito or kings a little farther offshore. For red drum, Carolina-rigged live pogies are hard to beat, and for the sheepshead, nothing beats a fresh fiddler crab or sand flea[2][3][4].

    Hot spots worth checking today include the Masonboro Inlet area, especially for those fast-moving Spanish and bluefish, and the hard structure around Wrightsville Beach for sheepshead and reds. The nearshore reefs are on fire for bonito and the occasional king.

    Tight lines to everybody out there. Remember, keep an eye on the weather and your catch sizes. See you on the water!
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • Wilmington Fishing Report: Bonito, Spanish Mackerel, and Inshore Slam

    Wilmington Fishing Report: Bonito, Spanish Mackerel, and Inshore Slam
    May 14 2025
    Hey there, folks! Artificial Lure here with your Wilmington fishing report for this beautiful Wednesday morning, May 14, 2025.

    Let me tell ya, the fishing around Wilmington has been absolutely on fire lately! The Atlantic bonito bite that started in early May is still going strong, and they're putting up quite a fight for anyone lucky enough to hook into one. These speedsters are hanging around the nearshore reefs and ledges, so that's where you'll want to point your bow.

    Spanish mackerel are showing up consistently throughout our waters. For both bonito and Spanish, you'll want to sling some metal - those Big Nic Spanish Candy spoons in 1/2 oz to 1.5 oz have been getting lots of attention. The Capt. Jot edition has been particularly hot. Work them fast with a high-speed spinning reel or baitcaster if you've got one.

    Inshore, the redfish and black drum action has remained steady on cut bait and fresh shrimp. Boat docks have been particularly productive for black drum. If you're heading to Carolina Beach, don't forget your MirrOlure MR-17s for some decent speckled trout action.

    For those working the surf, black drum and large whiting are hitting shrimp and sand fleas. The ICW and river spots are producing some nice sheepshead around hard structure, with scattered reds and specks mixed in.

    Nearshore has been the main event, with bonito and Spanish mackerel from the beach out to about 5 miles. Deep diver plugs and spoons are your best bet, but keep an eye out for surface feeding activity where jigs will do the trick.

    If you're heading offshore, blackfin tuna and wahoo are there for the taking, with some black sea bass and large sheepshead on the wrecks.

    Hot spots this week include the nearshore reefs for bonito and Spanish, Wrightsville Beach inlet for mixed bag action, and the ICW docks for sheepshead and drum.

    Weather looks to be stabilizing with warming temps, which should only improve the bite. Just remember to check your catch carefully - there have been some undersized king mackerel mixed in with the Spanish.

    That's all for today, folks! This is Artificial Lure signing off. Remember, a bad day fishing still beats a good day at work - but with the bite we've got right now, there ain't no bad days on the water!
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • Wilmington, NC Fishing Report: Bonito, Mackerel, Speckled Trout, and Black Drum Biting [May 12, 2025]

    Wilmington, NC Fishing Report: Bonito, Mackerel, Speckled Trout, and Black Drum Biting [May 12, 2025]
    May 12 2025
    Hello folks, it's Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for today, May 12, 2025. I'm excited to share with you what's happening in and around Wilmington, NC.

    First off, let's talk about the weather and tides. Today we're expecting partly cloudy skies with a high of around 75 degrees and a slight breeze out of the east. Tides are looking decent, with a high tide at 9:35 AM and low tide at 3:14 PM. Sunrise was at 6:05 AM, and we can expect the sun to set around 8:02 PM.

    The fishing around Wilmington has been quite active lately. We've seen a lot of black drum being caught, especially near boat docks using fresh shrimp. It's a great time for inshore fishing, with moderate speckled trout action reported from Carolina Beach, where anglers are using MirrOlure MR-17s to good effect[5]. Sheepshead action is also picking up in the Intracoastal Waterway when targeting hard structures[5].

    In nearshore waters, Atlantic bonito and Spanish mackerel are putting on quite a show. These fish are a lot of fun to catch and can be found around artificial reefs and inlets. Casting spoons like Big Nic Spanish Candy lures with high-speed spinning reels or a PENN Fathom high-speed bait-caster reel can yield a lot of bites[2][4]. Fly gear is also a great option for those looking for a challenge.

    Surf fishing has seen an increase in activity, with black drum and whiting being caught with shrimp and sand fleas[5]. A few scattered red drum are being caught using cut bait. If you're looking to mix it up, Wrightsville Beach is a great spot to catch bonito and mackerel, while Carolina Beach offers good opportunities for speckled trout and black drum.

    For today, I recommend heading to the nearshore reefs off Wrightsville Beach for some exciting bonito and mackerel action. Alternatively, pop over to Carolina Beach for some inshore fishing, targeting those speckled trout and black drum. Make sure to check your catch for any undersize fish, and don't forget to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery.

    That's it for today's report. Tight lines, and I hope you catch some big ones out there
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • Wilmington Fishing Report: Mackerel, Bonito & Drum Bite Strong as Tides Stay Lively

    Wilmington Fishing Report: Mackerel, Bonito & Drum Bite Strong as Tides Stay Lively
    May 11 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Wilmington, NC fishing report for Sunday, May 11, 2025.

    Sunrise this morning was at 6:08 am with sunset coming up at 8:00 pm. We’ve got about 13 and a half hours of daylight to work with. Tides are lively with a high coefficient of 83 at the start of the day, so expect some solid current and activity. The evening high tide will hit at 9:29 pm. The tidal swing stays strong into the afternoon before tapering a bit, giving you good moving water through the bulk of the day, which should keep the fish feeding and on the move. Weather’s shaping up typical for May—seasonal warmth and a steady southwest breeze, great for getting offshore when it’s settled[5].

    Right now, the bite is really turning on in our area waters. Offshore and nearshore, Atlantic bonito are hot, and the Spanish mackerel are out in good numbers. These fish are schooled up around the nearshore reefs, ledges, and inlets, with a good mix of bluefish and even some small king mackerel joining the party. The go-to lure for these species has been the Big Nic Spanish Candy spoon, in sizes from half-ounce up to one and a half ounces. Fast retrieves on high-speed spinning or bait-caster reels are getting more strikes. For those who like a challenge, fly gear in the 7 to 9 weight range is producing bites from both Spanish and bonito. Just keep an eye on those king mackerel—be sure to check for size and bag limit[1][3].

    Nearshore wrecks and jetties are delivering some nice black sea bass, big sheepshead, and black drum. Live fiddler crabs, shrimp, or cut bait have been best around structure for these bottom dwellers. Inshore waters are seeing schools of red drum moving through, especially on sunny, calm days. Soft plastics and live mullet have both been productive, with fish holding around marsh points and oyster beds[2][4].

    A couple of local hotspots worth trying today include the Wrightsville Beach jetty for sheepshead and the nearshore AR 425 reef for mackerel and bonito action. Masonboro Inlet is also a solid bet with the current movement this morning.

    In summary, it’s prime time for a wide variety of action around Wilmington. Offshore, nearshore, and inshore are all producing fish. Spoons and high-speed retrieves will keep you hooked up with mackerel and bonito, while live bait or natural offerings are key for sheepshead, drum, and sea bass. Get out there and take advantage of the tidal movement—tight lines and good luck!
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup