As of September 26, 2024, the fishing scene in Wilmington, North Carolina, is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
The sunrise today is at 6:58 AM, and sunset will be at 6:54 PM. Tides are crucial, and today you can expect a high tide at 9:17 AM and a low tide at 3:33 PM. The weather is forecasted to be partly cloudy with a high of 78°F and a gentle breeze out of the southeast.

### Fish Activity
Red drum fishing continues to be steady, with these fish fired up due to the abundance of mullet in the inshore waters. You can find them staged up along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and on flats in the backs of the marshes. Speckled trout are also starting to show up, particularly in areas south of Wrightsville Beach and around the inlet and jetties.

Flounder fishing has been exceptional, with tons of flounder on nearshore structures and grass banks inshore. Live bait has been the most effective, but they are also hitting artificials. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are active near the inlet and just outside, although the king mackerel bite is still slow and requires venturing out to the 15-20 mile range.

### Best Lures and Bait
For red drum, topwater plugs have been successful early in the morning, followed by Z-Man soft plastics in sexy mullet or chartreuse color patterns once the sun is up. Chatterbaits and Carolina-rigged live mullet are also effective. For speckled trout, live mullet on Carolina rigs during the low to incoming tide has been productive.

For flounder, live bait is the way to go, but they are also hitting artificials like 4-5” D.O.A. swim baits. Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be caught using casting action when the water conditions are clean.

### Hot Spots
- **Intracoastal Waterway (ICW):** Target areas along the ICW, especially ICW docks during higher tides and grass banks during lower or falling tides.
- **Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island:** These areas are known for their rich inshore waters, where you can catch redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.
- **Jetties and Inlet:** These spots are good for catching red drum, speckled trout, and flounder, especially during the low to incoming tide.

With the right gear and knowledge of these hot spots, you're set for a productive and enjoyable day of fishing in Wilmington, North Carolina.