Today, October 17th, 2024, the fishing scene in Wilmington, North Carolina is looking promising. The sun rose over the waters at 7:19 AM, and we're expecting a sunset at 6:34 PM, giving us a good 11 hours and 15 minutes of daylight.

Tide-wise, we're in the midst of very high tidal coefficients, with the first low tide at 4:15 AM and the next at 4:54 PM. The high tides are at 9:58 AM and 10:20 PM, indicating strong currents and significant tidal movements.

The weather is cooperating, making it an ideal day to be out on the water. Fish activity is high, especially for species like redfish, Spanish mackerel, and speckled trout. Yesterday's reports indicated a strong bite for redfish, with some anglers catching citation-size fish. Spanish mackerel and false albacore were also plentiful, particularly when targeting feeding surface fish and using Clark spoons.

For the best results, consider using light tackle and artificial lures such as topwater baits and popping corks for the larger redfish. For Spanish mackerel, trolling with Clark spoons or casting to feeding surface fish has been highly effective. Live and cut bait can also be productive, especially for bottom fishing around jetties and docks.

Hot spots include the areas around Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island, where the inshore waters offer a variety of species. The nearshore waters, up to 10 miles out, are also rich with king mackerel, cobia, and amberjacks. For a unique experience, try fishing one of the Civil War shipwrecks, which have been known to yield some impressive catches.

Overall, it's a great day to be on the water in Wilmington, with plenty of fish to go around and favorable conditions to make your fishing trip memorable.