Mixed Bag Fishing in Oriental, North Carolina
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target speckled trout, redfish, flounder and stripers inshoreFish fresh, brackish and saltwater using multiple techniquesMaximum two guests with Baldheaded Bobby Guide Service
Looking for a fishing trip that covers all the bases? Oriental's diverse waters serve up everything from shallow grass flats to deep channels, giving you shots at four of the coast's most sought-after species. Captain Bobby knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and stripers using whatever method is working that day. Whether you're throwing topwater plugs at dawn or drifting live bait in the afternoon, this mixed bag approach means your line stays tight and your cooler gets heavy.
Your day starts in Oriental's protected harbors, but don't expect to stay put. This trip covers serious ground as we chase different species through their preferred habitats. Early morning might find us working topwater over grass beds where speckled trout are feeding, then moving to deeper channel edges for stripers before the sun gets high. As conditions change, so does our game plan – maybe we'll hit the marsh edges for redfish or drift the sound for flounder. With just two anglers aboard, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. Captain Bobby brings everything you need, from light spinning tackle for trout to heavier gear for big stripers, plus a full selection of lures and live bait to match whatever mood the fish are in.
The beauty of mixed bag fishing lies in switching tactics throughout the day. We might start throwing topwater plugs like Spooks or poppers over shallow grass, watching the water explode as trout and reds crash the surface. When that bite dies off, we switch to popping corks with live shrimp or soft plastics underneath – this rig is absolutely deadly on speckled trout and keeps you connected to subtler bites. For stripers, we'll work deeper water with live menhaden or large artificials, often near structure where these fish ambush prey. Flounder fishing means going slow and methodical, bouncing jigs or live bait along the bottom near drop-offs and channel edges. Captain Bobby reads the water constantly, adjusting depth, bait selection, and location based on tide, wind, and what the fish are telling us. Some days the fly rod comes out when conditions are perfect – sight casting to tailing redfish or working streamers for stripers never gets old.
Summer flounder are the shape-shifters of the sound, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. These fish are masters of camouflage, changing color to match their surroundings perfectly. Peak season runs May through September, with the biggest doormat flounder often caught during incoming tides near channel edges. They hit live mud minnows, finger mullet, or bucktail jigs bounced along the bottom. What makes flounder so exciting is the fight – they pull hard and shake their heads like bulldogs, plus they're absolutely delicious on the table. Oriental's waters regularly produce keeper flounder in the 15-18 inch range, with occasional fish pushing 20+ inches.
Striped bass are the power hitters of our mixed bag trips, offering some of the strongest fights you'll experience in these waters. Spring and fall migrations bring schools of hungry stripers through Oriental's sounds, but resident fish stick around year-round near structure and deep channels. These fish are aggressive feeders, crushing live menhaden, large soft plastics, or topwater plugs depending on conditions. Stripers are smart too – they use current breaks and structure to their advantage, so finding them requires understanding how they hunt. The thrill comes from their initial run and powerful head shakes, especially fish in the 20-30 inch range that are common in these waters.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around Oriental. These beautiful fish with distinctive spotted sides are found over grass beds, near oyster bars, and along marsh edges throughout the warmer months. Peak action runs April through October, with fish most active during moving tides. Specks are opportunistic feeders that hit everything from live shrimp under popping corks to topwater plugs at dawn and dusk. They're known for spectacular surface strikes and acrobatic jumps, making them a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts. The 14-18 inch fish we catch regularly are perfect for the dinner table and put up scrappy fights on spinning gear.
Redfish are the bulldogs of the shallows, with copper-bronze sides and distinctive black spots near their tails. These fish patrol grass flats and marsh edges year-round, though they're most active in warmer months. What makes reds special is their willingness to feed in skinny water where you can see them coming. Sight fishing for tailing or cruising redfish is pure adrenaline – watching a red crush your lure in clear, shallow water never gets old. They're incredibly strong fighters that make long runs and use their broad sides to leverage against your drag. The slot-size fish we target (18-27 inches) are perfect eating and provide memorable battles on light tackle.
Mixed bag fishing in Oriental gives you the best of everything – multiple species, varied techniques, and diverse waters that keep every trip interesting. Captain Bobby's local knowledge and willingness to adapt tactics throughout the day means you're always fishing where the action is hottest. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target new species or someone wanting to maximize your time on the water, this trip delivers consistent action and memorable catches. The two-angler limit ensures personalized service and plenty of fishing time for everyone aboard. Oriental's year-round fishery means there's never a bad time to book, but spring through fall offers the most consistent mixed bag action across all four target species.
This motorboat is built for serious fishing in Oriental's diverse waters. With room for 2 anglers, she's equipped with everything you need to chase speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and stripers across the creeks, marshes, and sound. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on those shallow water reds, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish in deeper spots. GPS navigation keeps you on track whether you're working the brackish rivers or heading out to the saltier marshes. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long days on the water. Perfect for targeting fish with flies, topwater plugs, popping corks, or live bait depending on what's working. She handles the transition from skinny creek water to open sound with ease, getting you where the fish are biting.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down the most exciting fish we target in these waters. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-35 inches around Oriental. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, marsh grass, and creek mouths. Spring through fall is prime time, but they bite year-round. What makes reds special is their power and that signature headshake when hooked. They're also great eating with mild, slightly sweet meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water - it's like hunting. My local secret: look for nervous baitfish in the shallows, especially around moving water during tide changes. When you spot a red, cast well ahead of where it's going and be ready - these fish can turn on a dime and disappear into the grass.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These silvery beauties with black spots average 14-24 inches and about 1-3 pounds, though we catch some real slabs pushing 5-6 pounds. They love grass flats, shallow marsh edges, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening being prime time. Specks are a blast on light tackle - they jump and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. They're also fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat. The trick with trout is being quiet and making long casts since they spook easily in shallow water. Here's what works: focus on moving water where creeks meet the sound, and don't overlook those deeper holes during colder months. A slow retrieve with soft plastics under a popping cork is hard to beat.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the ultimate inshore predator around Oriental. These silver-sided fighters typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, with those distinctive dark stripes running down their sides. They're structure-oriented fish, so we find them around oyster bars, channel edges, bridge pilings, and creek mouths where baitfish get pushed by current. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding, but you can catch them year-round. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and strong fights - they'll make your drag scream. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The key to success here is matching your bait to what they're feeding on. When you see birds working over baitfish, get there fast. My go-to tip: fish the moving water during tide changes, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the chameleons of our waters - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their amazing color-changing ability. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see plenty in the 3-5 pound range. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to pass overhead. You'll find them in 8-30 feet around structure, drop-offs, and channel edges. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they nail your bait - plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. Here's a local trick: when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a few seconds since they bite sideways and need time to turn the bait around.
Oriental, NC