The Spanish mackerel fishing off Carolina Beach continues to deliver outstanding action for our nearshore fishing charters, with schools of hungry mackerel positioned 8-15 miles offshore.
These aggressive fish have been responding exceptionally well to small spoons and jigs, particularly the classic Clark spoon in silver and gold combinations. King mackerel are also mixed in around the deeper wrecks and artificial reefs, providing anglers with shots at larger fish in the 15-25 pound range. The water temperature has stabilized at 76-78°F, which is perfect for pelagic species activity.
Our Carolina Beach fishing charters have been departing at dawn to take advantage of the early morning bite, when the Spanish mackerel are most active near the surface.
Yesterday's trip produced over 40 Spanish mackerel for a family of four, along with two keeper king mackerel and several bluefish. The bite typically peaks between 7-10 AM, though we've found fish throughout the day when trolling at 4-6 knots.
Small diving plugs and live bait have also been effective, especially around the nearshore reefs.
This type of fishing is perfect for families and novice anglers, as the action is fast-paced and the fish are cooperative. For those booking a Wilmington area fishing charter, this is an ideal time to target these delicious and hard-fighting fish.
