UTERWhiting fishing in Wilmington & Crystal Coast
In Wilmington & Crystal Coast, whiting peak April–May and September–November and are around March–December, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Sea mullet arrive on the piers and the surf.
Fall sea mullet run; bloodworms or shrimp.
Whiting in Wilmington & Crystal Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakSea mullet arrive on the piers and the surf.
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeakFall sea mullet run; bloodworms or shrimp.
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish whiting near Calabash, Southport, Wilmington
South-facing beaches between Cape Fear and Cape Lookout, the Cape Fear River, marsh creeks and ICW behind Masonboro, Topsail and Bogue banks, Core Sound and Harkers Island — with the Cape Lookout and Frying Pan shoals, hundreds of nearshore wrecks and ARs, and the Big Rock and the Gulf Stream 30–50 miles out.
What to use for whiting
- Sand fleas (mole crabs)On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#4–#1
- Braid10–15 lb
Feeds in 56–82°F water, best at 62–76°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch whiting in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Peak season is April–May and September–November. Whiting are in Wilmington & Crystal Coast March–December. April: Sea mullet arrive on the piers and the surf.
Where do whiting hold in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet — around Calabash, Southport, Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Topsail, Swansboro.
What is the best bait for whiting in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Live bait: sand fleas (mole crabs), live shrimp. Sand fleas (mole crabs): On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #4–#1, braid 10–15 lb.
What are the rules for whiting in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and change — read the current rule at https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/rules-proclamations-and-size-and-bag-limits before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing.
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All about whiting · The Southern Outer Banks & Cape Fear, the whole year