Wrightsville Beach/ Carolina Beach Fishi
August 18, 2025 Wilmington 2 photos

Trip Summary

Hey anglers! Here’s the latest scoop on what’s biting around here. The inshore action is looking good, especially if you time your trips around the right tides. With the mullet run in full swing, live bait is easy to come by, and we’re seeing plenty of drum, flounder (though you can’t keep them right now), black sea bass, and even some surprise sharks on almost every trip. The fish are a bit scattered this time of year, but hitting the morning or evening tides is the key to a strong bite. If you venture a little further offshore, the fishing is fantastic, especially at first light if you’re after pelagics. The Gulf Stream is good year-round, with summer months offering excellent bottom fishing. As we head into September, October, and November, expect the pelagic bite to really heat up with tuna and wahoo making a strong run. Nearshore, we’re also gearing up for a fantastic Spanish mackerel season along with speckled trout, gray trout, black drum, sheepshead, and redfish. We have been cst hing a lot if doormat size founder latly and the season for this uear rund from september 1–14. This is truly one of the best times of the year for both nearshore and offshore action. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, now’s the perfect time! Shoot me a message or book directly, and we’ll get you out there for some great fishing.
Gabriel Chandler
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
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Catch and Cruise NC welcomes you to the stunning waters of Wilmington. Having logged many hours on these tides, Captain Gabriel knows them forwards and back. There's no guarantee when you're fishing, but just some of the species you can catch ar...

Other reports from this charter

Spring Bite Heating Up — Nearshore Actio
Spring Bite Heating Up — Nearshore Actio
March 29, 2026
Water temps are finally climbing into the mid to high 50s, and we’re starting to see the first real signs of the spring transition along the Carolina coast. Inside the inlets, tidal swings are pushing slightly warmer water out of the river, and that’s been enough to get things moving. The nearshore bite is officially turning on, with consistent catches of: • Gray trout • Red drum • Black drum • Mixed bottom species If you can get outside the jetty, there’s fish to be caught right now. Conditions have been a little choppy this past week, but that’s typical this time of year. As we move further out of winter, we’ll start to see more consistent weather windows, which is when things really take off. ⸻ ? What’s Coming Next (This Is the Important Part) Here’s where it gets interesting… We’re already seeing Atlantic bonito being caught within 5 miles. That tells us everything: ? The fish are on the move ? The warm water is pushing in ? It’s only a matter of time before that bite is a free for all very close to the beach. First comes the bonito… Then the Spanish… Then the king mackerel right behind them When that chain reaction starts, the nearshore bite goes from “good” to wide open. ⸻ ? Offshore Outlook Offshore trips are already producing solid action, with chances at: • American red snapper • Keeper black sea bass • Larger snapper species • Amberjack • Hogfish • Big grunts As we push further toward the Gulf Stream, the quality improves even more. And a big one to note: ? Grouper season opens May 1st, which adds another major target to the mix. ⸻ ? Bait = Everything We’re starting to see more bait moving along the coast, and that’s always the trigger. More bait → more predators → better fishing As that bait continues to push in over the next few weeks, expect the bite to ramp up quickly across all trip types. ⸻ Best Time to Fish Is Right Now (And The Next 6–8 Weeks) April and May are hands down some of the most productive months of the year here. You’ve got: • Active nearshore fishing (great for families and action) • Migratory species moving in • Offshore opportunities getting better by the week This is that window where everything overlaps—and when it’s right, it’s really right. ⸻ ⚓ Trip Options Right Now • Nearshore Trips: Consistent action, great for families and light tackle • Offshore Trips: Bigger fish, more variety, and improving fast • Spring Transition Fishing: Best of both worlds as species move in ⸻ If You’re Thinking About Going — Don’t Wait This is the ramp-up phase. Once the migratory fish fully arrive, prime dates start filling fast. If you’ve been thinking about getting on the water, the next few weeks are one of the best opportunities of the year.
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