As of September 28, 2024, the fishing scene around Wilmington, North Carolina, is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Tides
The weather is expected to be warm with a slight cool-down, typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at around 7:00 AM, and sunset will be at about 7:00 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at 9:30 AM and a low tide at 3:30 PM, making the early morning and late afternoon ideal times for fishing.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a lot of activity from redfish, Spanish mackerel, and flounder. The cooler weather has the redfish biting well, especially in the creeks, along the Intracoastal Waterway docks, and around oyster rocks. Spanish mackerel are abundant near the inlets, beaches, and artificial reefs, with schools often indicated by jumping fish and diving birds.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Several anglers reported catching a good number of redfish, with some larger ones showing up on hard bottoms and around the inlets. Spanish mackerel were plentiful, with many caught using small spoons and trolling. Flounder fishing was also productive, particularly with live bait such as mud minnows and small finger mullet.

### Best Lures and Bait
For redfish, Carolina rigs with live or fresh cut bait like mullet or menhaden are effective. Artificial lures such as Berkley Gulp Shrimp on 1/8oz or 1/4oz Fusion Jigheads, and top-water plugs like MirrOlure Top Dog Jr’s or Top Pup’s, work well along marsh grass lines and shallow oyster rocks. For Spanish mackerel, casting small spoons like Big Nic Spanish candies on light spinning tackle is recommended. For flounder, live bait on Carolina rigs or small artificial lures can be successful.

### Hot Spots
- **Masonboro Island**: This area is known for its rich inshore waters and is a hotspot for catching redfish, flounder, and other inshore species.
- **Intracoastal Waterway Docks**: These docks and the surrounding oyster rocks are great spots to target redfish and other inshore gamefish.
- **Nearshore Artificial Reefs**: These reefs are excellent for catching Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and other larger predator fish.

With the mullet run starting to pick up, the fishing in Wilmington is only going to get better. So pack your gear, grab some sunscreen, and head out to enjoy the great fishing that September has to offer.