Wilmington Fishing Report: Mackerel, Bonito & Drum Bite Strong as Tides Stay Lively

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Wilmington, NC fishing report for Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Sunrise this morning was at 6:08 am with sunset coming up at 8:00 pm. We’ve got about 13 and a half hours of daylight to work with. Tides are lively with a high coefficient of 83 at the start of the day, so expect some solid current and activity. The evening high tide will hit at 9:29 pm. The tidal swing stays strong into the afternoon before tapering a bit, giving you good moving water through the bulk of the day, which should keep the fish feeding and on the move. Weather’s shaping up typical for May—seasonal warmth and a steady southwest breeze, great for getting offshore when it’s settled[5].

Right now, the bite is really turning on in our area waters. Offshore and nearshore, Atlantic bonito are hot, and the Spanish mackerel are out in good numbers. These fish are schooled up around the nearshore reefs, ledges, and inlets, with a good mix of bluefish and even some small king mackerel joining the party. The go-to lure for these species has been the Big Nic Spanish Candy spoon, in sizes from half-ounce up to one and a half ounces. Fast retrieves on high-speed spinning or bait-caster reels are getting more strikes. For those who like a challenge, fly gear in the 7 to 9 weight range is producing bites from both Spanish and bonito. Just keep an eye on those king mackerel—be sure to check for size and bag limit[1][3].

Nearshore wrecks and jetties are delivering some nice black sea bass, big sheepshead, and black drum. Live fiddler crabs, shrimp, or cut bait have been best around structure for these bottom dwellers. Inshore waters are seeing schools of red drum moving through, especially on sunny, calm days. Soft plastics and live mullet have both been productive, with fish holding around marsh points and oyster beds[2][4].

A couple of local hotspots worth trying today include the Wrightsville Beach jetty for sheepshead and the nearshore AR 425 reef for mackerel and bonito action. Masonboro Inlet is also a solid bet with the current movement this morning.

In summary, it’s prime time for a wide variety of action around Wilmington. Offshore, nearshore, and inshore are all producing fish. Spoons and high-speed retrieves will keep you hooked up with mackerel and bonito, while live bait or natural offerings are key for sheepshead, drum, and sea bass. Get out there and take advantage of the tidal movement—tight lines and good luck!