Hey there, fellow anglers It's Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Atlantic Ocean waters around North Carolina, specifically focusing on the areas near Wrightsville Beach and Core Sound.
First off, let's talk about the tides. For today, February 9, 2025, the tide times for Sea Level, Core Sound are as follows: low tide at 2:24 AM with a height of -0.03 ft, high tide at 8:59 AM with a height of 0.87 ft, low tide at 3:59 PM with a height of 0.2 ft, and high tide at 8:34 PM with a height of 0.49 ft. These moderate tides should provide some good opportunities for fishing in various spots[2].
The weather is looking decent today, with mild temperatures and light winds, which is perfect for getting out on the water. Sunrise is at 6:56 AM, and sunset is at 5:42 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to catch some fish.
Recently, the fish activity in these waters has been quite promising. February is a great time to target species like speckled trout, schooling redfish, and striped bass. For speckled trout, you can expect to find them in shallow waters of two to six feet, particularly around oyster rocks and flats. Hard baits like MirrOlures, specifically the 17MR and 22MR suspending baits, have been effective. If you prefer live bait, smaller finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp are good choices. Rig them with a cork and small treble hook in shallow waters or on light Carolina rigs in deeper waters[1].
Schooling redfish are another target this time of year. Look for them on oyster rocks, sand bars in the surf, and shallow flats just off the Intracoastal Waterway. Scented grubs like the Berkley Gulp Dragon tail or shrimp are excellent baits for redfish. Use thirty-pound fluorocarbon and darker colored jig heads for the best results[1].
For those looking to catch striped bass, the Cape Fear River is a great spot. These fish can be found working drop-offs and grass lines on the edge of the river. Swim bait lures like the Berkley Power Bait Cull shad are effective, especially when rigged on swimbait hooks for weedless fishing[1].
In terms of hot spots, Wrightsville Beach itself offers some excellent fishing grounds. The areas around Masonboro Island and Figure Eight Island are known for their rich fish populations. For those venturing into the Cape Fear River, the waters around the river's mouth and the grass lines near the river's edge are prime spots for striped bass.
When it comes to lures, besides the ones mentioned, paddletail soft plastics and shrimp lures are also highly effective in these waters. These lures can mimic the natural baitfish and shrimp that these fish are feeding on, making them irresistible to speckled trout and redfish[3].
In summary, today looks like a great day to get out and fish in the Atlantic Ocean waters around North Carolina. With the right lures and bait, and an understanding of the tides and fish activity, you should be able to land some nice catches. So grab your gear, head out to your favorite spot, and enjoy the day on the water Tight lines
