Cape Fear River Fishing from Wilmington: Stripers, Drum, and Flounder
The Cape Fear River running through Wilmington supports striped bass, red drum, and flounder in tidal waters within the ...
Read MoreNorth Carolina · Cape Fear
WILMINGTON
FISHING CHARTERS
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22+
Verified Captains
4.7★
Avg Rating
3
Fishing Types
15+
Species
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About
Wilmington Fishing
Wilmington's location on the Cape Fear River provides access to incredible inshore fishing, plus offshore trips to productive live-bottom reefs and Gulf Stream waters.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Wilmington?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
F | G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | F |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | F | - | - | - | G | F | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | G | G | G | F | F | G | G | P | G | F |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | - | - | - | F | G | F | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | F | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | F | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | F | G | F | - | - | F | G | F | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | F | F | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | F | G | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | F | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G | F |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Wilmington Fish Species
15+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Wilmington
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
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Wilmington Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Wilmington.
Guest Reviews
5
based on 6 reviews
Wilmington Fishing Reviews
Cape Fear River redfish were on a rampage
Fished the oyster beds and dock pilings along the Cape Fear River and the redfish were crushing live shrimp under popping corks. Landed 12 gorgeous slot reds between 20 and 27 inches. The Cape Fear River system holds redfish year-round and Wilmington puts you right in the heart of it.
C
Captain Travis
October 2025
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Flounder stacked in the river channels
Drifted live finger mullet through the deeper channels of the Cape Fear River and the flounder were piled up on every sandy ledge. Landed 11 beautiful flatfish with the biggest going over 5 pounds. The river bends and channel edges here hold incredible concentrations of flounder.
C
Captain Yolanda
September 2025
Flounder
Redfish
Grouper on the live-bottom reefs
Ran out to the live-bottom reefs off Wilmington and dropped live bait to the structure. The grouper were aggressive and we boated four gag grouper between 22 and 28 inches. Mixed in some beautiful triggerfish and black sea bass. The live-bottom reef fishing off Cape Fear is outstanding.
C
Captain Bennett
June 2025
Grouper
Triggerfish
Black Sea Bass
King mackerel blitz on the nearshore reefs
Slow-trolled live pogeys along the nearshore reef structures and the king mackerel were on fire all morning. Boated seven kings with the biggest going 40 pounds. The nearshore reefs off the Cape Fear coast consistently hold big kings from spring through fall.
C
Captain Kristen
May 2025
King Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Speckled trout loaded in the river bends
Worked soft plastics through the deeper bends and structure of the Cape Fear River and the speckled trout were on a serious feed. Landed 20 trout with several gator specks over 22 inches. Wilmington's stretch of the Cape Fear River is arguably the best trout water in the Cape Fear region.
C
Captain Reuben
November 2025
Speckled Trout
Flounder
Mahi run was unbelievable offshore
Made the offshore run from the Cape Fear area and found mahi stacked on a weed line about 45 miles out. Cast light tackle into the school and caught mahi on every cast for two hours straight. Filled the fish box and had one of the best offshore days in years.
C
Captain Holly
July 2025
Mahi Mahi
Wahoo
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