Full-Day Inshore Fishing Adventure - Kure Beach, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting multiple speciesAll tackle and fishing licenses includedSmall group capacity of three guests maximum
When you're looking to spend a serious day on the water chasing some of North Carolina's most prized inshore species, this full-day charter with Brannin Charters puts you right where the action is. We're talking about 8+ hours of fishing the productive waters around Kure Beach, where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic and creates some of the best inshore fishing on the entire East Coast. You'll have plenty of time to work different spots, adapt to conditions, and really dial in on what's biting. With tackle and licenses covered, all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a cooler for your catch.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting started when it's time to head back. A full day gives us the luxury of patience and strategy. We'll start early, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active, and work our way through different areas based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. The inshore waters around Kure Beach offer incredible variety - from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing redfish to deeper channels where black drum patrol the bottom. Captain Brannin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with just three anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of rod time. The boat is equipped with everything you need, from light tackle for finicky trout to heavier gear when we're targeting those bruiser red drum in the surf zone.
We'll be using a mix of live and artificial baits depending on conditions and target species. For the flounder, we're often bouncing bucktails tipped with gulp or fishing live finger mullet near structure. Red drum love cut bait and live shrimp around oyster bars and grass edges, while speckled trout are suckers for topwater plugs early in the morning or soft plastics worked slowly through deeper holes. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - you might be sight casting to tailing redfish one minute and bottom fishing for black drum the next. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, along with your required North Carolina fishing license. We use quality spinning gear that's easy to handle whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The captain will coach you through techniques and help you feel confident with whatever method we're using.
The Southern Flounder around Kure Beach are true flatfish royalty. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead before striking with lightning speed. Most of our doormat flounder come from 15-25 feet of water around structure like docks, bridges, and channel edges. Fall months are prime time when they're fattening up for their offshore spawning run, and a 5-pound flounder is a legitimate trophy that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the sea, but they're absolute bulldogs once hooked. These bottom dwellers can push 40+ pounds in our local waters and will test your drag system to the limit. They love oyster beds and structure where they can crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful pharyngeal teeth. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, and landing a 20-pound black drum on medium tackle is a workout you won't forget. The fight is all about endurance - they don't jump, but they'll pull steady and strong toward any structure they can find.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of Kure Beach inshore fishing. These beautiful spotted predators are aggressive feeders and put up a scrappy fight with plenty of head shakes and runs. They school up in grass beds and around drop-offs, especially during moving tides. A 3-pound speck is a solid fish, and anything over 5 pounds is a genuine trophy. They're most active in spring through fall, and there's nothing quite like the strike of a big trout hammering a topwater plug in shallow water.
Redfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishery and the reason many anglers become obsessed with these waters. These copper-colored bruisers can exceed 40 inches and provide some of the most visual and exciting fishing you'll find anywhere. Whether we're sight fishing to schools in skinny water or targeting big bulls in the surf, red drum always bring the excitement. They're strong, smart, and beautiful fish that fight with power and determination. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are fantastic table fare, while the oversized bulls are pure adrenaline and must be released to continue the cycle.
A full-day inshore charter with Brannin Charters gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Kure Beach fishing has to offer. With small groups, top-notch equipment, and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that creates lasting memories. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table, chase personal bests, or just enjoy a day away from the hustle, this trip delivers. The extra time on the water means more opportunities, more species, and more chances for that fish of a lifetime. Don't wait until the perfect weather day - some of our best fishing happens when conditions aren't picture perfect. Book your date and get ready to see why Kure Beach inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.
You'll be fishing from an 18-foot 2010 East Cape Lostmen flats boat that's perfect for exploring Kure Beach's inshore waters. This shallow-draft vessel draws just 4-6 inches, letting you slip into backwater creeks and flats where red drum and speckled trout like to hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking fish in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. With GPS and radar on board, you can fish confidently even when coastal fog rolls in. The boat comfortably handles up to 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-fishing the shallows or working deeper channels for black drum and flounder, this versatile flats boat puts you right where the fish are feeding along North Carolina's productive coastline.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. Most fish we catch run 10-20 pounds, but don't be surprised if we hook into one pushing 40-plus. These bruisers love hanging around oyster bars, muddy flats, and anywhere they can crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is our best season when they school up for spawning - that's when we find the big concentrations. They're bottom feeders, so we fish slow and low. What guests love most is the pull - these fish are pure power and will test your drag system. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones are better as photo opportunities. Pro tip from years of guiding here: fresh blue crab is your best bet, and don't be afraid to really lean into that hookset when you feel the bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing - these copper-backed fighters with their signature black spots near the tail will make your trip memorable. Around Kure Beach, we typically catch them in the 20-30 inch range, though bigger bulls show up regularly. They love our shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges where they can root around for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is phenomenal when they school up. What guests love most is watching these fish crash topwater baits in just a foot of water - pure adrenaline. They fight hard, pulling drag and making long runs. The meat is excellent too, with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect on the grill. Here's something I've learned over the years: look for nervous water and baitfish activity. When you see redfish tailing in the shallows, approach quietly and cast beyond them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here at Kure Beach. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and are one of the most consistent fighters you'll find. They love our grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall gives us the best action, with early morning and evening being prime time. What makes them special is that aggressive strike - they'll absolutely crush a topwater lure at dawn. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with that tender, flaky white meat. The key is not overcooking them since the flesh is delicate. One thing I always tell my guests: when working our grass flats, keep your lures just above the bottom and vary your retrieve speed until you find what they want that day.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are one of those fish that really tests your patience and technique. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches around Kure Beach, but we see plenty pushing into the low 20s. They're masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. You'll find them in our shallow inshore waters, especially around structure and drop-offs. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. What makes them so popular with my guests is the challenge - they're picky eaters with a light bite, plus they make excellent table fare with that sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Wilmington