Full-Day Inshore Fishing Adventure - Kure Beach, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesAll tackle and fishing licenses provided by experienced crewSmall group capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
When you're ready to spend a solid day chasing some of North Carolina's best inshore species, this full-day fishing adventure with Brannin Charters puts you right where the action is. We're talking about 8+ hours on the water around Kure Beach, targeting red drum, black drum, speckled trout, and flounder in the productive waters where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic. This isn't a rushed half-day trip where you're just getting started when it's time to head back. You'll have plenty of time to work different spots, adjust techniques, and really dial in on what's biting. Perfect for serious anglers who want to maximize their chances and fish multiple locations throughout the day.
Captain Brannin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put that local knowledge to work for you. We'll start early to beat the crowds and hit prime feeding times when fish are most active. The beauty of a full day is flexibility - if the bite is slow in one area, we've got time to move and find where they're stacked up. You'll fish everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper creek mouths where black drum hang out. The boat is rigged with quality rods and reels, and all your tackle is provided, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your enthusiasm. Fishing licenses are included too, which saves you the hassle of stopping to get one. With only 3 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of attention and room to fish comfortably without lines getting tangled or spots getting crowded.
We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what species we're targeting. Live shrimp and mud minnows are staples for trout and flounder, while cut bait works great for the drum species. You'll learn proper bottom fishing techniques for flounder, sight fishing for tailing redfish in shallow water, and how to work soft plastics around structure where trout like to ambush prey. The captain will adjust tackle based on what we're after - lighter spinning gear for trout, heavier rigs when we're after bull reds or big black drum. Part of the fun is switching up techniques throughout the day as we move between different types of water. These inshore waters offer incredible variety, from oyster bars and grass beds to deeper channels and creek mouths, each requiring slightly different approaches to be successful.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate inshore challenge and one of the best eating fish you'll find in these waters. These flat fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. Fall months are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish pushing 20+ inches not uncommon. They require patience and finesse - you'll learn to feel that subtle tap and set the hook at just the right moment. What makes flounder so rewarding is they're incredibly smart fish that will test your skills, but when you nail the technique and start putting them in the boat consistently, there's no better feeling.
Black Drum around Kure Beach grow to impressive sizes and provide some serious pulling power when hooked. These fish love structure - think pilings, oyster bars, and creek bends where they root around for crabs and shellfish. You'll hear their distinctive drumming sound when they're in the boat, created by muscles vibrating against their swim bladder. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, with fish ranging from 2-3 pound "puppy drum" perfect for dinner to 20+ pound bulls that'll give you a real workout. They're not flashy fighters like redfish, but they're steady, powerful pullers that will test your drag system.
Sea Trout (speckled trout) are arguably the most consistent biters in these waters and absolutely beautiful fish with their spotted silver sides. They school up around grass beds and drop-offs, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. What anglers love about specks is their willingness to hit artificials - a well-placed soft plastic or topwater plug can trigger explosive strikes. They're also excellent table fare and pretty forgiving for newer anglers since they tend to bite more aggressively than finicky flounder. Peak action happens during spring and fall migrations, but you can catch quality trout year-round in these productive waters.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around here, and for good reason. These bronze-backed bruisers are aggressive feeders and absolutely spectacular fighters. You'll find them tailing in skinny water during high tide, cruising oyster bars, or schooled up in deeper holes. What makes reds special is their attitude - they eat with authority and fight like they mean it, making blistering runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for keeping, while the oversized bulls provide catch-and-release excitement you won't forget. Their copper coloration and distinctive black spots make them one of the most recognizable and sought-after species on the coast.
This full-day adventure gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Kure Beach inshore fishing has to offer. You're not just buying a fishing trip - you're investing in a day of learning from an experienced captain who lives and breathes these waters. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table, learn new techniques, or just enjoy a full day away from the daily grind, this trip delivers. The small group size means personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time for everyone. Don't wait until you're at the beach to book - the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Get your spot locked in now and get ready for the kind of day on the water that reminds you why inshore fishing is so addictive.
Your fishing platform for this full-day adventure is an 18-foot 2010 East Cape Lostmen flats boat that's built for serious angling. This shallow-water specialist draws just 4-6 inches, letting you chase red drum, speckled trout, and flounder into the skinny water where they love to feed around Kure Beach's marshes and grass flats. The boat comfortably handles up to 3 anglers with plenty of room to fight fish and move around the deck. You'll have a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when sight-casting, plus GPS navigation to mark productive spots and a fish finder to locate schools holding in deeper channels. The radar keeps you safe if weather moves in during your day on the water. This versatile rig handles everything from working the surf for drum to drifting live bait over structure for flounder.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters and real fighters once you hook into them. These bottom-feeders typically range from 5-30 pounds around Kure Beach, with their powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them hanging around oyster beds, pier pilings, and muddy creek mouths where they can root around for food. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love about black drum is their stubborn, bulldogging fight that'll test your drag system. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating too. Here's a local tip: use fresh blue crab or cut shrimp on a fish-finder rig, and don't set the hook too hard when you feel that first tap - let them take it and run before tightening down.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing and what many guests get most fired up about catching. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-30 inches around here, with that distinctive black spot near the tail that makes them unmistakable. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs are showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer peak action when they're feeding aggressively. What gets people hooked on reds is their explosive strikes and powerful runs that'll strip drag in a hurry. Plus they're beautiful fish and excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. The sight-fishing opportunities are amazing too - nothing beats watching a red crush a topwater plug in two feet of water. Pro tip: when you spot them tailing in the shallows, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are probably our most reliable inshore species and a favorite among guests for good reason. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and love hanging around grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow structure. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. What makes them so popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat. They're also great fighters for their size, making nice runs and putting a good bend in your rod. During cooler months, look for them to school up in deeper holes. My local trick is using a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in from a distance, and that suspended presentation is hard for them to resist.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are one of our most unique targets - these flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms, perfectly adapted for ambush feeding. They typically run 15-18 inches around here, though we see plenty that push into the low 20s and occasionally larger. You'll find them in shallow bays, creeks, and around structure where they can blend in and wait for baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to pass by. Fall through early spring offers the best action when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is watching that perfectly flat fish suddenly appear from nowhere when you hook up - plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is using a slow drift with live finger mullet on a sliding sinker rig, keeping your bait just off the bottom where they're waiting.
Wilmington