Wrightsville Beach – June 2026
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that spanish mackerel fishing has been good for anglers pulling spoons off the beach, and plenty of bluefish are being caught by this same tactic.
Some king mackerel are starting to show up for nearshore trollers, as well as for anglers live baiting from the piers.
Those making the run offshore are mostly catching blackfin tuna and mahi. The key to mahi is to find some weeds and pull the smaller skirted ballyhoo.
Grouper fishing has been pretty good, especially when running to the deeper bottom spots.
In the surf, anglers are catching a mixed bag of sea mullet, bluefish, a few red drum, and slowly increasing numbers of pompano.
Inshore anglers are finding a mix of sheepshead and red drum, with both species being a little spotty as the area waits for more bait to arrive (and more fish to move back in, too).
Jack, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that the spanish mackerel have been moving into nearshore waters in good numbers. Trolling and sight-casting tactics are both being successful for the spanish, and the good news is that plenty of spanish have been seen feeding on the surface.
Inshore anglers are finding better numbers of sheepshead while dropping sand fleas or fiddler crabs, but the majority of these fish are still on the smaller side.
Red drum are around, though the bite isn’t anything red hot right now.
Anglers aren’t really targeting speckled trout, but a few have been caught by red drum anglers fishing topwater plugs in the morning.
For the offshore crowd, mahi fishing is picking up, with most of the action out in the 40-mile range. Smaller ballyhoo under skirts or Blue Water Candy Mini Jags are both working well, with the top color patterns being blue/white, pinks, and chartreuse.
Mixed in the trolling bite are blackfin tuna, sailfish, and a handful of wahoo.
Anglers pushing out deeper (600’+) are hooking a few blue marlin.
Harrison Bachmann, of Greensboro, caught this blackfin tuna 7 miles offshore of Wrightsville Beach on a 1 oz. Spanish Candy jig. He was fishing with Capt. Cole Bachmann of Island Guides.
Pierre, of Rising Sun Fishing, reports that spanish mackerel are around in the 30-40’ range.
Inshore red drum fishing has been pretty scrappy. Covering ground with topwaters has been the best way to find these fish, other than throwing out cut bait and waiting for fish to find the bait. The red drum action should pick up once the menhaden move in.
Sheepshead are another great inshore option. Grab some fiddler crabs and start covering docks, bridge pilings, and jetty rocks.
Victor, of Carolina Charters, reports that plenty of bluefish are being caught when fishing the jetties, inside the inlet, and back into the creeks. Both paddle tail soft plastics and Gotcha plugs make great options for casting into feeding schools.
Some quality spanish mackerel are moving into the nearshore and inlet areas.
Sheepshead continue to push back inside. There are still a lot of smaller fish inshore, but some better-sized ones have been found around the jetties with either fiddler or mud crabs.
Red drum continue to scatter out along the waterway. It can be a little hit or miss during this transition, and natural baits such as mud crabs or cut mullet will be the best bet.
Cole, of Island Guides, reports that spanish mackerel numbers continue to improve, and some quality-sized fish are showing up. Plenty of bluefish are also in the mix. For both species, anglers are casting metal jigs like Big Nic Spanish Candies and First Flight bonito jigs. Utilize long casts and varying retrieve speeds.
There is a lot of life nearshore, for example a school of bigger red drum were found in the 5-mile area (a 37-38” class of fish), and they could be targeted successfully with Spanish Candy jigs.
Inshore fishing has been a little slow overall, as water temperatures have yet to consistently reach 70 degrees, but the action should improve quickly as more bait moves into the creeks and marshes.
Most of the red drum can be found around docks, oyster beds, and other structure while fishing cut mullet and menhaden. Artificials and topwaters will increase in effectiveness as the summer patterns finally settle in.
Brayden and Alex Cook, of Wilmington, landed this 30 lb. king mackerel offshore of Wrightsville Beach on a live bait.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore trips are seeing some decent action while choosing to either troll Clarkspoons or sight cast lures at surface-breaking fish. Spanish mackerel are making up the majority of what is being found right now, with bluefish also plentiful.
The king mackerel bite has been best in the 20-mile range. The key for the kings is to find upper-60 to lower-70 degree water temperatures and target structure with good bait marks. Anglers are getting strikes pulling live menhaden, dead cigar minnows, and Drone spoons.
Gag grouper fishing is starting to heat up for anglers targeting bottom areas in the 70’+ range. Having live pinfish has been an advantage when targeting the grouper.
Areas around the Steeples have been holding plenty of blackfin tuna. The best bet is to get out there early and deploy small sea witches with ballyhoo and cedar plugs. Mahi are mixed in anywhere from 140-600’+.
Matt, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that anglers have been enjoying excellent spanish mackerel and bluefish action. This is all being had while sight-casting Gotcha plugs in a variety of color patterns.
Some of the large chopper blues (to 11 lbs.) are mixed in the bite.
Bottom fishing is seeing a mixed bag of sea mullet, black drum, and the occasional pompano. The pompano action should keep getting better as the warmer water pulls them in.
