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Wilmington Fishing

Wilmington Fishing

Wilmington, North Carolina, is an idyllic city on the Atlantic coast. As the British settled in North America, Wilmington became an attractive port city, and it was a crucial supply point during the Revolutionary War thanks to the deep Atlantic waters and easy access to the Cape Fear River. Today, the old-world charm and quaint coastline make Wilmington popular for film and television production. It is also a popular destination for fishing.

Wilmington fishing is really something special. From Wilmington, it is easy to take a boat out to the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream runs up and down along the coastline, and it is a popular migratory path for many Atlantic fish. This warm water stream attracts big-name fish like mahi-mahi and wahoo. You may even get lucky and catch blue marlin or blackfin tuna. Better still, many of these fish are present all season long. This means if you are looking to score a big catch, Wilmington fishing can be just what you need.

The nearshore fishing is just as appealing. The shallower waters by the shore are flush with shipwrecks and artificial reefs. This has allowed the local fish populations to stay vibrant over the years. In these Wilmington fishing areas, you might expect to snag albacore tuna and king mackerel nearly all year long. On bottom you might catch big grouper, black sea bass, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and grunt. Other common saltwater fish caught in the inshore waters of Wilmington can include the distinctive flounder, red drum (redfish), speckled trout and black drum are popular catches.

The Cape Fear River is an important fixture in the area, and it is also good for fishing. Largemouth bass are especially prominent in these inland waters and nearby freshwater lakes. There have been documented reports of bass up to 8 pounds. Other popular fish in these waters include striped bass and catfish.



Wilmington Fishing Forecast

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Target Species of Fish

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*** PLEASE NOTE ***

Please check local, state/province, and federal laws before fishing for any species found on this site. All data is based on historical data found for this area, and in some cases as far back as the year 1600.

View full Wilmington Fishing Forecast to see all species.

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Top Wilmington Fishing Spots

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The Top 10 Fishing Spots for Wilmington are the following:

  1. AR 425 - YAUPON REEF
    Black Seabass and many varieties of Sharks can be found on the reef all year round. There are nice Cobia and Gray Trout in the Spring on the reef.  From Spring through


  2. SHALLOTTE LEDGE
    Good area for trolling for kings


  3. AR-372
    AR-372


  4. LEDGE-293(2)
    LEDGE-293(2)


  5. WELDON HALL WRECK
    Weldon Hall wreck is located in approximately 78' of water.


  6. Fanny and Jenny Wreck
    She was built in Blackwall Yard, London by Money and Wigrams in 1847 for the Chester & Holyhead Railway Company for a passenger service between Holyhead and Kingstown (Dun


  7. 10 Mile Rock
    King Mackerel on the troll. Black Seabass on bottom. Also so Gag Groupers.


  8. AR 425 - YAUPON REEF
    33.8841666666667 -78.1058333333333


  9. AR-362
    AR-362


  10. Topsail Ledge
    34.243381 -77.308897


View more Top Wilmington Fishing Spots


Latest Wilmington Fishing Reports

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Top Wilmington Bait & Tackle Stores

  1. Fathom Offshore
    We manufacture the finest saltwater tackle in Wilmington NC.

  2. Tex's Tackle and Bait
    Based in Southeastern North Carolina, we are one of the largest independently owned and operated tackle shops around. From the marsh to the gulfstream, we have a full line of the best tackle to make your next fishing adventure successful as well as

  3. Intracoastal Angler
    A full service saltwater fishing outfitter located in Wilmington , NC at Wrightsville Beach. Our mission is to provide the finest products for the most competitive price for your fishing pursuits. We believe our customers deserve the top shelf servic

  4. Rod Man Charters
    Custom Fishing Rods and Guide Service by Rod-Man

  5. Lee's Tackle
    Welcome to Lee’s Tackle, a Fourth-Generation Family Owned Business, and The World’s Oldest Manufacturer of Precision Sportsfishing Equipment. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina.

View more Wilmington Bait & Tackle Stores

Top Wilmington Fishing Charters & Guides

  1. ProFishNC Charters
    Whether you are a Pro going after that Citation Fish or your taking your Family for a Family Fun Fishing Trip, Capt. Trevor’s expertise, excitement and unique ability to find you Fish will make this Adventure one you will always remember! After all,

  2. Jot It Down Fishing Charters
    Captain Jot Owens is a native of Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC. He has been fishing the waters of this area his entire life. Capt. Jot loves nothing more than to see a kid catching their first fish or pro's catching their 1000th fish. The

  3. Carolina Explorer Fishing Charters
    Inshore and Coastal light tackle fishing charters in Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, and Southport. On our trips you can catch flounder, red drum, trout, sharks, spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, tarpon, croaker, whiting, sports

  4. Cape Fear Guide
    Capt.Mike offer light tackle spin fishing for red drum, flounder, speckle trout in the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina,fishing out of Carolina Beach, NC

  5. Charlies Fishing Charters
    Learn to fish with live bait & artificial bait, great for beginners or experienced anglers. Learn to throw cast nets and catch bait or just go fishing.

  6. Sightfish NC
    Sightfish NC is a fly and light tackle guide service specializing in shallow water fishing the Cape Fear Coast of North Carolina. From the clear water flats of Topsail Island and Wrightsville Beach, to the stained nutrient rich waters of Southport t

  7. Lucky 13 Sportfishing
    If you’re looking for a great day of fishing and fun, hop aboard Lucky 13 with Captain Mark Cogdell. Lucky 13 Sportfishing delivers you to some of the best offshore and nearshore fishing in Southeastern North Carolina. Whether you’re fishing for Mack

  8. 96 Charter Company
    My name is Capt. Danny Wrenn. I love chasing a variety of fish along Wrightsville Beach and the great Cape Fear River. Whether its Atlantic Bonito on the Fly, King Mackerel on live bait, Flounder in the sound or offshore wrecks, or Striped Bass in th

  9. Fishin' Days Sportfishing
    Wrightsville Beach Fishing Charters would like to invite you to join Capt. Tim Day serving Wrightsville Beach, Topsail, Carolina Beach, or Wilmington for a NC fishing charter experience of a lifetime aboard the awesome 53' custom sport fishing ya

  10. Hieronymus Fishing Charters
    Come enjoy charter fishing at its finest. Fish the backbays, inlets and Atlantic Ocean in the Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Topsail Island areas with Capt. Cord Hieronymus, one of the areas few second generation captains.

View more Wilmington Charters & Guides

Top Wilmington Marinas

  1. Masonboro Boat Yard and Marina
    Slip owners enjoy Yacht Club privileges and the new facility including: * Bath house * Laundromat * Club room

  2. Bennett Brothers Yachts
    Bennett Brothers Yachts specializes in fine yacht repair, service, and brokerage. Dedicated craftsmen in all departments; continual operation since 1986.

  3. Bald Head Island Marina


View more Wilmington Marinas

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