Beaufort Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target kingfish, mackerel, cobia, and other coastal speciesCaptain provides all necessary fishing equipment onboardAccommodates up to 4 guests on inshore waters
Looking for some serious action on North Carolina's Crystal Coast? Back Sound Fishing Charters knows exactly where the fish are holding, and we're ready to put you on them. Our 4, 6, and 8-hour inshore trips out of Beaufort give you the perfect chance to tangle with some of the coast's most sought-after species. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, these protected waters offer consistent fishing year-round with enough variety to keep your rod bent and your adrenaline pumping.
Your captain knows these backwaters like the back of his hand – every channel, grass flat, and structure that holds fish. We'll cruise through the maze of islands and marshes that make up the Cape Lookout area, targeting different spots based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, so you can leave your gear at home if you want. We're talking about intimate fishing here – just you and up to three buddies, which means plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but when you add in the fishing potential, you've got yourself a day to remember.
We run a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what we're targeting. For the bigger kings and cobia, we'll troll with live menhaden or put out some serious baits on the bottom. Spanish mackerel love fast-moving spoons and small jigs, while trout and flounder respond well to soft plastics worked around grass beds and drop-offs. Your captain will have you rigged up with the right setup for the conditions – could be anything from light spinning gear for trout to heavier conventional tackle when the big boys show up. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen and snacks; we've got rods, reels, bait, and all the terminal tackle you'll need to get the job done.
King mackerel are the bruisers of this fishery, and Beaufort's inshore waters produce some real smokers. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise the deeper channels and around structure, ambushing baitfish with lightning speed. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized "snakes" up to genuine kings pushing 30-plus pounds. When one hits your bait, you'll know it – they make screaming runs that'll test your drag and your nerves. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back, pure and simple.
Sea trout might not have the raw power of a king, but they make up for it with numbers and eating quality. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and can be incredibly aggressive when conditions are right. You'll find them year-round in these waters, though spring and fall offer the best action. They hit soft plastics with authority and put up a respectable scrap on light tackle. Plus, they're absolutely delicious – many captains consider speckled trout the best eating fish in these waters.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good day into a great one. These brown sharks of the inshore world show up when you least expect them, often following rays or cruising solo in shallow water. They're curious fish that'll investigate the boat, giving you a shot at sight-casting. When hooked, cobia are bulldogs that dive hard and fight dirty. They can push 40-50 pounds inshore, making them a legitimate trophy fish that gets your heart racing.
Little tunny, or "albies" as the locals call them, are speed demons that travel in schools and feed aggressively on the surface. When you find them busting bait, it's fast and furious action with multiple hookups common. They're incredibly strong for their size and make blistering runs that'll burn your fingers on the reel handle. Fall is typically the best time to find them, though they can show up throughout the warmer months.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish are scattered throughout the sounds and channels, and finding them requires local knowledge of the bottom structure. They're excellent table fare and provide a different kind of fishing experience – more about finesse and feel than raw power. Summer through early fall is peak season, when they're actively feeding before their offshore migration.
The fishing around Beaufort is as good as it gets on the Carolina coast, and Back Sound Fishing Charters has the local knowledge to put you on fish consistently. With flexible trip lengths and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you're setting yourself up for success. The boat only takes four anglers, so spots fill up fast during prime fishing seasons. Whether you choose the half-day option to get a taste or go full-day to really get after them, you'll walk away with a better understanding of why Beaufort is considered one of the top inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast. Give us a call and let's get you hooked up with some Carolina coast fishing at its finest.
This motorboat is built for serious fishing action in Beaufort's productive waters. Equipped with a fish finder to track down schools of Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Little Tunny, plus GPS navigation to hit all the hot spots where Trout, Cobia, and Flounder are holding. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. Your captain provides all the tackle and gear, so you can focus on the bite. Whether you're targeting structure for Cobia or working the flats for Trout, this setup gets you to the fish and keeps you comfortable while you're putting meat in the cooler. Perfect for half-day or full-day trips chasing whatever's running in North Carolina's coastal waters.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these solitary hunters average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them serious trophy fish. You'll find them around structure like reefs, wrecks, and buoys, usually in 30-70 feet of water, though they cruise shallower during spring migration. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're spawning and moving through our waters. What makes cobia special is they're sight fishing targets - we spot them cruising just under the surface - and they fight like freight trains. The meat quality is outstanding too, firm and mild like a cross between shark and grouper. Here's the key: when you see one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose and work it steady. Color doesn't matter much, but that 4-8 ounce weight gets down quick before they spook.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons of our waters, averaging 30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These olive-backed rockets cruise the 40-150 foot depths, often moving closer to shore in harbors and inlets during warmer months. Spring through fall brings the best action when water temps hit that sweet 68-84°F range. What makes kings so popular is their blistering runs - they're nearly as fast as wahoo and will test your drag system. The meat's great eating too, with that rich, flaky texture perfect for grilling. Here's a local trick: always rig with a dual-hook setup on wire leader. Kings love to hit bait from behind, so that trailing treble hook will nail them when they circle back for a second bite.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore, are the scrappy fighters that'll bend your rod in half. These torpedo-shaped speedsters typically weigh 10-12 pounds but can hit 20+ when conditions are right. They travel in schools near the surface around jetties, inlets, and sandbars, especially when baitfish are thick. Fall migration brings some of the hottest action as they push through our waters heading south. What makes tunny fishing addictive is the non-stop action and their powerful runs - they're incredibly strong swimmers that'll test your drag. The red meat has a rich, tuna-like flavor that's actually pretty good eating when fresh. Listen for feeding activity - they get noisy when busting bait on top. When you find a school, troll multiple lines with bright feathers or cast small jigs into the mayhem. Work fast because they move quick.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout around here typically run 14-24 inches and weigh 1-5 pounds, though we've seen some pushing 40 pounds in deeper winter holes. They love grass flats and shallow water structure, especially at night when they move up to feed. Fall and early winter fishing can be phenomenal when they school up in those 15-20 foot channels. What guests really enjoy is the fight - trout have that head-shaking, line-stretching battle that keeps things interesting. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with that sweet, flaky white meat. Just don't overcook them or they get mushy. Pro tip: work plastic shrimp or grub jigs slow along the bottom near grass edges during moving water. They'll often hit right as the tide starts to move.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though doormat-sized fish over 20 pounds do show up. They hang in shallow bays, creek mouths, and inlet areas where they can bury up and wait for food to swim by. Fall is absolutely prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore winter migration. What guests love is the surprise factor - you never know when that subtle tap will turn into a nice flatfish. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The key is fishing slow along the bottom with live bait like bull minnows or shrimp. Use just enough weight to stay down and let that bait work naturally in the current.
Beaufort, NC