Wrightsville Beach – April 2023
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that surf action has been getting better, with catches of whiting and even the occasional pompano showing up. During some of the warmer stretches, anglers are also finding some bluefish mixed in the action.
Inshore anglers have primarily stayed focused on red and black drum fishing around structure, but speckled trout have just started to become more active.
Atlantic bonito should be moving closer nearshore in the coming weeks as weather patterns stabilize. As of now, most schools being reported are out near the 20-mile range.
Offshore action has been spotty, but anglers jumping on the favorable weather windows are catching wahoo and blackfin tuna.
Moving into April, look for king mackerel to start moving into the 25-35 mile range as these nearshore water temperatures warm.
Spanish mackerel should also be arriving by the middle of the month, conditions pending.
Ryan, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that inshore anglers are seeing the speckled trout action starting to pick up. Recent cooler weather kept the bite from really kicking off, but these fish are definitely feeding more actively, and a slight uptick in water temperatures should have them on the move.
Red drum overall remain in their winter schools as they also await warmer waters to start spreading out along the waterways. Target the drum around docks and holes in the creeks with Carolina-rigged natural baits.
Nearshore anglers are still having the best success running out to target the strong black sea bass action.
There are reports of Atlantic bonito hanging a bit further out. As these fish move in over the coming weeks, anglers will have success pulling spoons and deep diver plugs around nearshore ARs and structure.
Offshore anglers are starting to see both better numbers and sizes in wahoo action on days they can make the long run. This trolling action is also producing a decent number of blackfin tuna. Anglers look forward to more favorable weather windows to really target the Gulf Stream and possibly catch some early season mahi showing in later April.
Davie Waggett, of Wilmington, NC, landed this 27.25″ (6.8. lbs.) speckled trout on a white Rapala X-Rap in Mason’s Inlet.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing is beginning to get really good, with fish starting to move as the water temperatures slowly creep out of their winter lows. Anglers will have success targeting trout in many of the same holes you can find them in the fall as they migrate out of the creeks. Target ledges and areas with current around creek mouths or shell structure near the inlets. Soft plastics continue to produce well, with anglers able to quickly scout different areas in search of these schools.
Red drum continue to hold in their schools back in the shallow waters of marshes and creeks, and black drum are feeding well for anglers casting Carolina-rigged shrimp around deeper docks and oyster bars.
Nearshore anglers are keeping their ears open for reports of Atlantic bonito arriving. The late winter cold fronts seemed to slow any progress, but over the coming weeks, look for these schools to arrive over the nearshore structures off the beach. Those looking to scout these schools out will have the best luck trolling deep diver plugs and Clarkspoons to cover water.
Zane, of Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, reports that anglers are finding the redfish to generally be holding back in their same wintering marsh bays and flats in the creeks. As spring moves forward, these fish will break up and move out into the channels and waterway as bait arrives inshore.
Speckled trout fishing is also starting to pick up as water temperatures creep up. The trout will also start to move out into holes they typically are found in the fall. These are areas with good current and usually a nearby ledge or structure.
Nearshore fishing remains pretty slow with weather not allowing many anglers to get out and scout for the coming Atlantic bonito. There are a few reports of schools offshore, so it won’t take much for them to push in over the area’s reefs.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that offshore anglers have found the wahoo action starting to ramp up. There is a quality class of fish out there for anglers willing to make the run.
Blackfin tuna action is also really good right now in both sizes and numbers, with anglers having success trolling, popping, and jigging for strikes.
The deep, offshore ledges and structures are holding large amberjack and African pompano.
Bottom fishing a little closer nearshore (the 100’ area) is producing large black sea bass and vermilion snapper.
Brian Schomus, of Oregon, doubled up with redfish using a 3″ Z-Man PaddlerZ in the Wrightsville Beach area. He was fishing with Capt. Allen Cain of Sightfish NC.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that bottom fishing remains strong, with some of the best black sea bass action being out in the 10-20 mile range.
Offshore trolling action is starting to pick up on both wahoo and blackfin tuna. Weather windows have been the biggest factor in targeting these fish, but wahoo are being found in depths around 150’+, while the tunas are holding a bit deeper (200’+).
Nearshore anglers are starting to find some Atlantic bonito staged out in the 10-mile range. Jigging spoons over structure or trolling spoons behind planers have been the best tactics for these early schools. Anglers really anticipate seeing this bite pick up in coming weeks, especially if we can get more stable weather patterns to pattern these fish closer to the beach.
Patrick, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that pufferfish action has been the best bite in recent weeks for anglers bottom fishing from the middle to end of the pier.
Some decent-sized sea mullet are showing up in better numbers as we move into spring.
If some more stable weather patterns can stick around, these mixed bag catches will also include croakers, speckled trout, bluefish, and black drum.
