As of October 3, 2024, the fishing scene in Wilmington, NC, is buzzing with activity as the fall season kicks into full gear. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
The sunrise today is at 7:04 AM, and sunset is at 6:47 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at 9:15 AM and a low tide at 3:15 PM. The weather is mild, with a high of 75°F and a low of 60°F, making it ideal for a day of fishing.

### Fish Activity
The inshore waters of Wilmington are teeming with life. Redfish, particularly, are biting extremely well, with many being pulled out of the shallow water flats and along the edges of the marsh grass. Sea Trout are also biting consistently, with several trips yielding great numbers over the past week. Flounder fishing remains strong, especially when targeting the bottom of shallow water areas.

Nearshore, Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish are becoming more prevalent, especially off the beachfronts and local piers. False Albacore have started showing up in the 2-5 mile areas, adding some excitement to the day. King Mackerel, though not yet in full force near the beaches, can still be found in the 8-15 mile range, striking at dead cigar minnows or live bait.

### Best Lures and Bait
For Redfish, live mullet and cut bait along grass lines and around docks are proving effective. For Sea Trout, topwaters in the morning and bottom-rigged live baits around creek mouths and oyster beds are the way to go. Flounder are hitting bottom-rigged live baits as well.

For Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish, trolling Clarkspoons and mackerel trees, or casting at surface-feeding schools, is highly recommended. King Mackerel are best targeted with dead cigar minnows or live bait.

### Hot Spots
- **Masonboro Island and Wrightsville Beach**: These areas are known for their rich inshore waters, perfect for chasing Redfish, Sea Trout, and Flounder.
- **The Jetties**: Bull Red Drum are being caught here using cut bait, and slot-sized Red Drum are also present.
- **Local Piers**: Places like Johnnie Mercers Pier are seeing a lot of action from Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and even the occasional Cobia.

With the cooler weather setting in, the fish are becoming more active, making this an excellent time to get out on the water and enjoy some of the best fall fishing Wilmington has to offer.