{"id":42056,"date":"2022-12-24T07:54:44","date_gmt":"2022-12-24T06:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=42056"},"modified":"2026-02-11T13:29:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T13:29:36","slug":"wilmington-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wilmington-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilmington Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>Wilmington isn&#8217;t just an idyllic city or sightseeing treat on the Atlantic coast. Simply put, it&#8217;s an amazing fishery: from freshwater to backwater, from inshore to offshore, <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/NC\/wilmington?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=42056\">fishing in Wilmington<\/a> is a year-round pleasure. Nestled in New Hanover County, along coastal southeastern <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/north-carolina-fishing\/\">North Carolina<\/a>, it gives easy access to the deep Atlantic waters and the beautiful Cape Fear River.<\/p><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/0zrnoa9oxc.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><style>wistia-player[media-id='0zrnoa9oxc']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/0zrnoa9oxc\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }<\/style><wistia-player media-id=\"0zrnoa9oxc\" aspect=\"1.7777777777777777\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_outer_wrapper\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items: center; margin-top:-56.25%;\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_inner_wrapper\" style=\" overflow: auto;\"><p class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" style=\"text-align: justify; font-size: 5px !important;\">From freshwater to backwater, productive fishing both inshore and offshore, Wilmington and Carolina Beach offer amazing angling opportunities everywhere you turn. Located in coastal southeastern North Carolina, the area is a favorite summertime fishing destination for local and visiting anglers alike. And while the fishing does peak in the warmest months of the year, there&#039;s plenty you can look forward to year round. In this video, we&#039;re getting into the fish you can catch, the best spots to visit, and when to plan your trip.\r\n\r\nIf you&#039;re planning on fishing inshore,\r\n\r\nyou&#039;re in luck. Wilmington and Carolina Beach sit in a region called Cape Fear. The area is packed with beaches, barrier islands, and also has access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the brackish Cape Fear River. We&#039;ll go deeper into specific fishing spots later in the video, so make sure to keep watching.\r\n\r\nFor now, let&#039;s take a closer look at the species you can target inshore. First up are Redfish, and they check all the boxes. These fish give great fight, taste delicious, and can be hooked year-round in the Wilmington area. The spring and fall seasons offer particularly productive fishing, with summer not falling close behind.\r\n\r\nThis is also when you can add Flounder to your target list as well as a nice selection of Bass. As for Speckled Trout, like Redfish, they&#039;re usually a year-round target, especially in the bays and tributaries of the Cape Fear River. But the best time to fish is actually in the coldest months of the year.\r\n\r\nInshore trips are a great choice if you&#039;re fishing with the family or if you&#039;d like to try and cast a line from the shore or the piers.\r\n\r\nWhat most anglers come to Wilmington and Carolina Beach looking for however is the action deep offshore.\r\n\r\nIf you&#039;re willing to take the journey, Wilmington and Carolina Beach offer offshore fishing that&#039;s unlike any other. And it&#039;s all thanks to the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that flows about twenty miles from shore. This area and beyond is where you&#039;re gonna find the big names like Mahi Mahi, Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Billfish, and much more. If you&#039;re planning a trip to catch Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, or Marlin, book a fishing charter during the summer between the months of June and August. During this period, you can encounter big mahi closer to shore than usual, whereas in late July and August, Southern North Carolina&#039;s deeper waters get renamed Sailfish Alley. As for Tuna, they can technically be found in North Carolina&#039;s waters year-round, but they prefer colder temperatures. For your best shot at success, find a licensed charter captain who will take you out between January and April or later in the year in November and December.\r\n\r\nWe also have to mention the areas in between.\r\n\r\nThe nearshore waters in Wilmington and Carolina Beach are stocked with kingfish and Spanish mackerel, offering you a taste of what the big game action is like without all the travel.\r\n\r\nAlright. So now that you know more about some of the species you can target in Wilmington and Carolina Beach,\r\n\r\nit&#039;s time to dive deeper into the top fishing spots this region holds. Wilmington is the principal city in this part of North Carolina, and it also encompasses the beach communities of Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Coure Beach. All are home to several boat ramps and marinas and plenty of charter guides who can take you out for a day on the water. When it comes to standout inshore fishing, the Mansboro Inlet is a prime spot for both anglers looking to test their skills and experienced folks going after redfish. For flounder, snows cut, a trench connecting the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway shouldn&#039;t be missed.\r\n\r\nAnd speaking of the Cape Fear River, you won&#039;t have to stray too far from downtown Wilmington before you start hooking into striped and largemouth bass. As you move down the river where it becomes rich in oyster beds and marsh grasses, you can also add redfish and speckled trout to your list.\r\n\r\nAs we mentioned earlier, when it comes to offshore fishing, the Gulf Stream lies about twenty miles out, but you can go even further for extra productive fishing. The steeples, for example, located about sixty miles from Carolina Beach also hold large populations of deep sea species like marlin and tuna. And finally, the frying pan shoals. You&#039;ll definitely need to head out on an extended day fishing trip to visit this shifting underwater mass.\r\n\r\nLined with rocks and shipwrecks, it&#039;s an environment that creates exceptional bottom fishing year round.\r\n\r\nThat&#039;s fish species and fishing spots covered. There are just a few more things to take care of before you head out. First things first, licenses.\r\n\r\nNorth Carolina requires a fishing license for all anglers over the age of sixteen. You can purchase a license online or in person at a local tackle shop. There are also specific regulations regarding the size and quantity of fish that can be caught, so it&#039;s important to familiarize yourself with these rules before fishing. However, one of the benefits of fishing with a licensed charter captain in saltwater is that they&#039;ll take care of licenses for everyone on board and make sure you&#039;re respecting all existing regulations.\r\n\r\nAnd that&#039;s about it. You&#039;re ready to head out on a fishing adventure in Wilmington in Carolina Beach.\r\n\r\nTo make finding the right fishing charter for you and the trip you&#039;re planning easier, download the FishingBooker app. It&#039;s available on Google Play and the App Store and allows you to browse the largest selection of fishing charters and book your trip fast and easy. Or check us out online at fishing booker dot com to start planning your trip today.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/wistia-player><p>In this article, we&#8217;ll talk about the stellar angling opportunities Wilmington has to offer. You&#8217;ll learn about the top catches and where to find them, as well as what types of fishing to try and when. So, without further ado&hellip;<\/p><h2 id=\"best-fish-to-catch-in-wilmington\">Best Fish to Catch in Wilmington<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140147\/Mixed-Bag-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Four male anglers wearing caps and sunglasses, holding freshly caught fish while standing on a fishing boat in Wilmington, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140147\/Mixed-Bag-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140147\/Mixed-Bag-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140147\/Mixed-Bag-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140147\/Mixed-Bag-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140147\/Mixed-Bag-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>The short answer is anything from <strong>Redfish<\/strong> and <strong>Striped Bass<\/strong> to <strong>Amberjack<\/strong> and even <strong>Billfish<\/strong>. Since Wilmington is blessed with diversity, anglers can fish both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean over the course of just one weekend. That is if the season allows.<\/p><p>That said, it makes perfect sense that the list of potential catches depends on where and when you&#8217;re planning to fish. In general, you can expect a nice selection of Bass, including Stripers and even Largemouth, along with Seatrout, Flounder, and Black Drum in the inshore waters. As you move to the nearshore waters and beyond, you can expect bigger fish. Amberjack, King and Spanish Mackerel, Sharks, and Mahi Mahi are all on the cards.&nbsp;<\/p><p>We won&#8217;t list all the available fish species you can catch in Wilmington, though. Instead, let&#8217;s focus on the top catches the area has to offer.<\/p><h3 id=\"redfish\">Redfish<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140150\/Redfish-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Three male angler, all smiling and holding a Redfish each while standing on a fishing boat in Wilmington, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140150\/Redfish-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140150\/Redfish-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140150\/Redfish-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140150\/Redfish-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140150\/Redfish-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>North Carolina&#8217;s mainland is protected by a large number of <strong>barrier islands<\/strong>. This, in turn, creates a perfect habitat for various inshore species, including <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/redfish\/us\/NC\/wilmington?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=42056\">Redfish<\/a>. In fact, they are the state&#8217;s official saltwater fish!<\/p><p>While fishing for Wilmington Redfish is available all year round, <strong>spring<\/strong> is the best time to catch them, as they tail their favorite baitfish. Anglers target Reds by throwing topwater plugs while sight casting in the estuaries. In the lower Cape Fear River, locals prefer to use jerk baits and topwaters to attract hungry Redfish.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Cape Fear River and estuaries aside, you can also find Redfish during high-tide periods at oyster rock beds and near marsh grasses. If you&#8217;re fishing during low tide, search for Reds around the edges of creek channels and around docks.<\/p><h3 id=\"flounder\">Flounder<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140140\/Flounder-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Two happy smiling anglers standing on a boat, posing for a picture with a freshly caught Flounder, Wilmington, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140140\/Flounder-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140140\/Flounder-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140140\/Flounder-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140140\/Flounder-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140140\/Flounder-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>Wilmington anglers are also blessed with good <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/flounder\/us\/NC\/wilmington?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=42056\">Flounder<\/a> populations. They fish for the &#8220;Doormats&#8221; around deep holes near structure such as bridges, aiming at larger fish in 15-20 feet of water. In fact, a lot of Wilmington anglers fish for Flounder in deeper water, heading to various wrecks and the so-called &#8220;Flounder Hotels&#8221; &ndash; big cement domes with holes in them.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Flounder bite best anytime from May through November, peaking <strong>from July until September<\/strong>. Just like with Redfish, your success might heavily depend on the right tide. Some anglers fish a falling tide, while other Flounder enthusiasts fish a rising tide for better visibility. The majority of Wilmington Flounder fishing is conventional with either live bait or artificial.<\/p><h3 id=\"cobia\">Cobia<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140139\/Cobia-NC-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A picture showing a smiling angler holding a freshly caught Cobia while standing on a boat, Wilmington, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140139\/Cobia-NC-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140139\/Cobia-NC-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140139\/Cobia-NC-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140139\/Cobia-NC-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140139\/Cobia-NC-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>By <strong>late spring<\/strong>, the first wave of Cobia, a world-class saltwater game fish, comes within sight of the Wilmington area. This is when anglers head to the inlets and nearshore reefs, looking for these fish in up to 45 feet of water. <strong>May and June<\/strong> are considered the best months for Cobia fishing in Wilmington, although they usually stay through fall.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Cobia aren&#8217;t really scared of boats, but it doesn&#8217;t make catching them any easier. Local anglers make sure their presentation and retrieve are as life-like as possible, using heavy-duty rods and strong lines. You can present artificial lures, such as soft plastics, in the path of the cruising fish to maximize your chances.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Note that there&#8217;s a creel limit that you need to check in advance. We recommend consulting with your captain on what&#8217;s the daily bag and size limit of any fish you intend to keep, including Cobia.<\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='1648' data-destination-title='Wilmington' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field='fishFilter'data-filter-value='cobia'data-headline='Top Cobia Fishing Charters in Wilmington'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 id=\"mahi-mahi\">Mahi Mahi&nbsp;<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140149\/Mahi-Mahi-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"An angler on a fishing boat holding a Mahi Mahi in Wilmington, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140149\/Mahi-Mahi-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140149\/Mahi-Mahi-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140149\/Mahi-Mahi-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140149\/Mahi-Mahi-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140149\/Mahi-Mahi-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>It&#8217;s hard to imagine a more iconic nearshore and offshore species in Wilmington than <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/dolphin-mahi-mahi\/us\/NC\/wilmington?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=42056\">Mahi Mahi<\/a>. These gorgeous fish are fun to catch whenever they&#8217;re available, and luckily, they&#8217;re around pretty much throughout the year. However, the high season for Mahi Mahi in Wilmington begins somewhere around June and goes all the way through August.&nbsp;<\/p><p>The best part about fishing for Mahi is that you can find them pretty close to shore since they tend to venture closer to land in cleaner water. In summer, they can be found within sight of the beach, breaking away from the Gulf Stream.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Some local anglers rely on thermal charts, looking for eddies and rips. It&#8217;s common to use trolling spreads while hunting for Mahi Mahi, which usually includes ballyhoo and small lures.<\/p><h3 id=\"king-and-spanish-mackerel\">King and Spanish Mackerel&nbsp;<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140143\/Kingfish-Run-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Two happy anglers holding a King Mackerel each caught during an annual King Mackerel run, the Wilmington area, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140143\/Kingfish-Run-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140143\/Kingfish-Run-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140143\/Kingfish-Run-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140143\/Kingfish-Run-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140143\/Kingfish-Run-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>Last but not least, <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/king-mackerel-kingfish\/us\/NC\/wilmington?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=42056\">King<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spanish-mackerel\/us\/NC\/wilmington?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=42056\">Spanish Mackerel<\/a> are among the most popular saltwater catches in Wilmington. These fish are also found pretty close to shore, and anglers often catch them while hunting for Mahi Mahi or Albacore Tuna.<\/p><p>Overall, <strong>September and October<\/strong> are the best months to target King Mackerel in Wilmington, but you can have a productive trip anytime from <strong>June<\/strong>. Spanish Mackerel bite best from <strong>May until August<\/strong>, so you can book a summer trip to target them both.<\/p><p>So, where can you go fishing for Kingfish and Spanish Mackerel? A lot of Wilmington anglers prefer looking for them around artificial reefs and wrecks, although they can be found throughout the nearshore waters.<\/p><div class='reviews-fetcher-container' data-destination-id='1648' data-destination-title='Wilmington' data-category-title='' data-category='' data-category-id='' data-trigger='reviews-fetcher' data-viewport-event='view_reviews_fetcher' data-action='In viewport' data-viewport-category='Reviews' data-label=''>\n                    <h3>What anglers said about fishing in Wilmington<\/h3>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"how-to-go-fishing-in-wilmington\">How to Go Fishing in Wilmington<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140142\/Mahi-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Three male anglers on a boat, all wearing sunglasses, one of them posing with a Mahi Mahi.\" class=\"wp-image-42099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140142\/Mahi-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140142\/Mahi-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140142\/Mahi-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140142\/Mahi-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140142\/Mahi-Wilmington-2048x1537.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>Wilmington has a fine selection of fishing techniques for you to enjoy. The best fishing method depends on a variety of factors, including the targeted species, the spot you&#8217;re fishing in, and seasonality.&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>Light tackle<\/strong> is a good method while fishing Cape Fear River and the inshore grounds for the likes of Redfish and Black Drum. It&#8217;s also productive in estuarine waterways, creeks, sounds, and inlets. If you&#8217;re working skinnier water, you can also try <strong>sight fishing<\/strong>.<\/p><p><strong>Trolling<\/strong> is the technique of choice for saltwater anglers looking to land anything from Mahi Mahi, Spanish Mackerel, and Seabass, to Tuna and Bluefish. Some anglers go for <strong>kite fishing <\/strong>when targeting Sailfish, which is a variant of trolling that includes using kites above the surface of the water.&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>Bottom fishing <\/strong>is another effective way to get big fish in Wilmington. That technique is reserved for various types of Groupers, Amberjack, and Black Seabass. You&#8217;ll get the bait all the way down near offshore wrecks, using heavy tackle for Amberjacks, and electric reels for Tilefish. Electric reels are heavy-duty gear that&#8217;s reserved for <strong>deep dropping<\/strong> the bait at 100+ feet.<\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='1648' data-destination-title='Wilmington' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field=''data-filter-value=''data-headline='Top Fishing Charters in Wilmington'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"wilmington-fishing-spots\">Wilmington Fishing Spots<\/h2><p>While Wilmington might not be close to the continental drop-off, local and visiting anglers have a generous selection of both freshwater and saltwater game fish. In this section, we&#8217;ll outline the best spots for you to explore on a Wilmington fishing trip.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 id=\"cape-fear-river\">Cape Fear River<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140145\/Bass-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"An angler holding a Bass caught in Cape Fear River.\" class=\"wp-image-42093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140145\/Bass-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140145\/Bass-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140145\/Bass-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140145\/Bass-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140145\/Bass-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>Cape Fear River is a spectacular angling playground that empties right into the Atlantic Ocean. The Wilmington portion of the river is especially known for its <strong>Striped Bass<\/strong> fishing in the winter and early spring, although you can get your hands on various other fish species. These include Catfish, Flounder, Sturgeon, Crappie, and everything in between.&nbsp;<\/p><p>The river&#8217;s ecosystem is so diverse due to its brackish water. Tidal saltwater combines with inland-flowing freshwater, creating a perfect mixed salinity. A lot of light tackle anglers enjoy Cape Fear River for its action, though you shouldn&#8217;t take it lightly. It&#8217;s always a good idea to explore the river with a local guide who knows its tides and winds well.<\/p><h3 id=\"masonboro-inlet-and-inshore-spots\">Masonboro Inlet and Inshore Spots<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140138\/shutterstock_2172231901-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of the Masonboro Inlet near Wrightsville Beach, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140138\/shutterstock_2172231901-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140138\/shutterstock_2172231901-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140138\/shutterstock_2172231901-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140138\/shutterstock_2172231901-1536x1150.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140138\/shutterstock_2172231901-2048x1534.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Masonboro Inlet is a great place for those anglers looking to establish themselves. The waters of the inlet are rich and productive, especially towards <strong>Wrightsville and Carolina Beach<\/strong>. Black Drum and Redfish are among the most popular catches that are available all year round, especially in the fall.&nbsp;<\/p><p>The Masonboro Inlet and the oceanfront spots have many channels, small bays, inlets, and cuts that offer good fishing. If Redfish and Black Drum aren&#8217;t your main priority, you can check out creeks and salt marshes for Flounder. Alternatively, areas around jetties, backwater, and rock walls are known for good Spotted Seatrout bite.<\/p><h3 id=\"nearshore\">Nearshore<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140146\/Wilmington-Fish-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A picture showing a male angler with a freshly caught Tuna, while sitting on a fishing boat.\" class=\"wp-image-42092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140146\/Wilmington-Fish-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140146\/Wilmington-Fish-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140146\/Wilmington-Fish-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140146\/Wilmington-Fish-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140146\/Wilmington-Fish-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>River, inshore, and inlet spots aside, nearshore fishing in Wilmington is just as good. The waters by the shore are home to various artificial reefs and shipwrecks. There, you can test your angling skills and practice trolling or bottom fishing, depending on what fish are biting best.&nbsp;<\/p><p>These reefs and wrecks hold solid numbers of anything from Albacore Tuna and King Mackerel to big Groupers. Bottom fishing enthusiasts can also target Black Seabass, Snapper, and Triggerfish, along with other species.<\/p><h3 id=\"offshore\">Offshore<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140144\/Circle-Bak-Fishing-Charters-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Two fishing boats with male anglers fishing, the Wilmington area, NC\" class=\"wp-image-42094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140144\/Circle-Bak-Fishing-Charters-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140144\/Circle-Bak-Fishing-Charters-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140144\/Circle-Bak-Fishing-Charters-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140144\/Circle-Bak-Fishing-Charters-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140144\/Circle-Bak-Fishing-Charters-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>The offshore grounds off Wilmington are also rich in reefs and wrecks. To get to these grounds, you&#8217;ll need to travel anywhere between 20 to 40 miles out, but the reward is worth it. These waters see schools of large Mahi Mahi, along with Sailfish and Tuna.&nbsp;<\/p><p>From Wilmington, it only takes a short boat ride to reach the <strong>Gulf Stream<\/strong>. It runs up and down the coastline, flowing about 20 miles offshore. This means that within an hour&#8217;s boat ride you can be fishing rive above a major drop-off, where the Continental Shelf plunges to 600 feet. For instance, you can explore the Outer Shell Reefs that hold a healthy stock of Tilefish and Snowy Grouper.<\/p><h3 id=\"fishing-piers\">Fishing Piers<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140141\/Johnnie-Mercers-Pier-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial View of Johnny Mercer's Pier in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina\n\" class=\"wp-image-42101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140141\/Johnnie-Mercers-Pier-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140141\/Johnnie-Mercers-Pier-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140141\/Johnnie-Mercers-Pier-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140141\/Johnnie-Mercers-Pier-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140141\/Johnnie-Mercers-Pier-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>If you&#8217;re in town and are just looking to wet a line, you can check out one of the area&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-piers-around-wilmington-our-top-picks\/\">fishing piers<\/a>. <strong>Johnnie Mercer&#8217;s Pier<\/strong> is a good spot for those who don&#8217;t want to fish from a boat. It&#8217;s a concrete pier, built to be storm- and hurricane-proof.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Summer pier fishing can be especially productive. For example, anglers usually catch impressive numbers of Mackerel, Pompano, Sheepshead, and Flounder while fishing from Johnnie Mercer&#8217;s Pier. And if that&#8217;s not enough, there are also three island beaches if you&#8217;d like to widen your fishing experience.<\/p><h2 id=\"when-to-go-fishing-in-wilmington\">When to Go Fishing in Wilmington<\/h2><p>Fishing in Wilmington is <strong>a year-round<\/strong> activity. Be it May or November, a fish will grace the end of your line. However, not all species are up for grabs whenever you cast your line. <\/p><p>For example, <strong>spring and fall<\/strong> guarantee a great Redfish action. The time frame between <strong>May and June<\/strong> is perfect for targeting Cobia, whereas <strong>September and October<\/strong> are the best months for King Mackerel fishing. <strong>Summer<\/strong>, on the other hand, brings a plethora of species and promises amazing Mahi Mahi, Spanish Mackerel, and Flounder pursuits. <\/p><h2 id=\"wilmington-fishing-regulations\">Wilmington Fishing Regulations<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/05105549\/Wilmington-Fishign-Regulations.jpg\" alt='An infographic showing the state flag of North Carolina along with text that says \"Wilmington fishing regulations what you need to know\" against a dark blue background.' class=\"wp-image-71749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/05105549\/Wilmington-Fishign-Regulations.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/05105549\/Wilmington-Fishign-Regulations-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/05105549\/Wilmington-Fishign-Regulations-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/12\/05105549\/Wilmington-Fishign-Regulations-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>First and foremost, you should know that every angler who is <strong>16 or older <\/strong>has to have <strong>a valid fishing license. <\/strong>If you&rsquo;re angling aboard a charter, you don&rsquo;t have to worry about the license, as your captain will have you covered. However, if you&rsquo;re about to cast on your own, please make sure you purchase it before you wet your line in Wilmington&rsquo;s fisheries. Besides the fishing license, make sure you&rsquo;re familiar with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.nc.gov\/about\/divisions\/marine-fisheries\/rules-proclamations-and-size-and-bag-limits\/recreational-size-and-bag-limits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bag and size limits <\/a>of your target, too.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"wilmington-fishing-faqs\">Wilmington Fishing FAQs<\/h2>\n<div id=\"fbgb-faq-69f00e43dbfe2\" class=\"fbgb-faq-block aligncenter fbgb-faq-style-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-container\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"0\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69f00e43dbfe2-item-0\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Do I need a license to fish in Wilmington?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69f00e43dbfe2-item-0\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>The majority of Wilmington fishing charters provide licenses for every angler on board, especially when you\u2019re fishing on a bigger boat. When fishing by yourself, you\u2019ll need to get a NC fishing license if you\u2019re\u00a0<strong>over the age of 16<\/strong>. Additionally, everybody can fish without a license on the 4th of July.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"1\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69f00e43dbfe2-item-1\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Are there any fishing tournaments in Wilmington?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69f00e43dbfe2-item-1\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Yes! There are various fishing tournaments in Wilmington, including the\u00a0<strong>Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge<\/strong>\u00a0held in the city and the\u00a0<strong>Pleasure Island Spring Surf Fishing Challenge<\/strong>\u00a0in the neighboring Carolina Beach.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"2\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69f00e43dbfe2-item-2\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Is fly fishing popular in Wilmington?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69f00e43dbfe2-item-2\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Wilmington offers plenty of angling opportunities for fly fishermen. The <strong>season is open year-round<\/strong>, and the best time to go is usually in late spring and summer. <strong>Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Mackerel<\/strong> are among the most common catches, and some of the top fly fishing spots include <strong>Carolina Beach, Wrightsville, and Oak Island<\/strong>.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    \n    <\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do I need a license to fish in Wilmington?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The majority of Wilmington fishing charters provide licenses for every angler on board, especially when you&rsquo;re fishing on a bigger boat. When fishing by yourself, you&rsquo;ll need to get a NC fishing license if you&rsquo;re&nbsp;over the age of 16. Additionally, everybody can fish without a license on the 4th of July.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there any fishing tournaments in Wilmington?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes! There are various fishing tournaments in Wilmington, including the&nbsp;Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge&nbsp;held in the city and the&nbsp;Pleasure Island Spring Surf Fishing Challenge&nbsp;in the neighboring Carolina Beach.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is fly fishing popular in Wilmington?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Wilmington offers plenty of angling opportunities for fly fishermen. The season is open year-round, and the best time to go is usually in late spring and summer. Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Mackerel are among the most common catches, and some of the top fly fishing spots include Carolina Beach, Wrightsville, and Oak Island.\"}}]}<\/script><h2 id=\"fishing-in-wilmington-real-old-world-charm\">Fishing in Wilmington: Real Old World Charm<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140148\/Mackerel-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Three smiling male anglers on a fishing dock posing with their haul of the day.\" class=\"wp-image-42090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140148\/Mackerel-Wilmington-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140148\/Mackerel-Wilmington-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140148\/Mackerel-Wilmington-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140148\/Mackerel-Wilmington-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140148\/Mackerel-Wilmington-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>Home to wide Cape Fear River waters, hidden creeks, and a beautiful shoreline, Wilmington can easily spoil any angler that visits the city. Fishing in Wilmington is all about options when it comes to casting a line. There&#8217;s lots to entice anglers to pay this city a visit as well as everything an angler needs to reel in a great catch or two. So, why not take advantage of Wilmington&#8217;s diverse fisheries yourself?<\/p><p><em>Have you ever been fishing in Wilmington? What&#8217;s your favorite species to catch in the Cape <br>Fear River? What about the best spots along the ocean shoreline? Let us know in the comments below!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wilmington isn&#8217;t just an idyllic city or sightseeing treat on the Atlantic coast. Simply put, it&#8217;s an amazing fishery: from freshwater to backwater, from inshore to offshore, fishing in Wilmington is a year-round pleasure. Nestled in New Hanover County, along coastal southeastern North Carolina, it gives easy access to the deep Atlantic waters and the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":42086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1472],"tags":[358,356,403,347,444,415,622],"class_list":["post-42056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-where-to-fish","tag-beginners-advice","tag-big-game-fishing","tag-freshwater-fishing","tag-inshore-fishing","tag-north-carolina","tag-redfish","tag-wilmington"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Wilmington Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026 - FishingBooker Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wilmington-fishing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Wilmington Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"An ultimate angler&#039;s guide on fishing in Wilmington, North Carolina, including the top species, spots, and more.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wilmington-fishing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FishingBooker Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FishingBooker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-12-24T06:54:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-11T13:29:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/11\/14140150\/Wilmington-NC-1-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lisa\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lisa\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Wilmington Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026 - 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