Inshore Prime Fishing Trip - Kure Beach, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Extended inshore fishing trip targeting premium North Carolina speciesAll tackle and fishing licenses included with professional guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
Ready to get serious about your inshore fishing game? This extended trip with Brannin Charters puts you right where the action is in Wilmington's productive waters. We're talking about a real fishing adventure here – more time on the water means more shots at those bucket-list North Carolina species. Whether you're after that bull red you've been dreaming about or want to fill the cooler with keeper flounder, this trip delivers the goods. Captain Brannin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with all tackle and licenses provided, you just need to show up ready to fish.
This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're giving you prime time to really work the inshore waters around Kure Beach and Wilmington. You'll be fishing the back bays, creek mouths, and nearshore structure where red drum, black drum, speckled trout, and flounder call home. The beauty of this extended trip is we can hit multiple spots based on tides, weather, and what's biting. Maybe we start working oyster bars at first light for reds, then move to deeper holes for black drum as the sun gets higher. Captain Brannin reads the water conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly. With a maximum of just three anglers, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines without bumping into each other.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting and where we find the fish. Live bait is king out here – fresh shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows are go-to options that these inshore species can't resist. For the drum fishing, we'll often use Carolina rigs with circle hooks and enough weight to keep your bait near the bottom where these fish feed. When we're working the grass flats for trout and reds, lighter tackle with popping corks can be deadly effective. Captain Brannin provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need, from medium-heavy spinning setups for the bigger drum to lighter gear for trout fishing. If you're into artificial lures, bring your favorite soft plastics and topwater plugs – there's nothing like a red drum exploding on a topwater bait in shallow water.
Southern flounder are the ultimate inshore prize around Kure Beach, and for good reason. These ambush predators can grow over 20 inches and provide some of the best eating you'll find in coastal waters. They hang around structure – bridge pilings, oyster bars, and channel edges – waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder, when they're feeding heavy before their offshore spawn. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtle bite – you need to stay sharp because they'll often just pick up your bait and swim off with it. Black drum are another favorite target, especially the big bulls that can push 40+ pounds. These bruisers love crab and shrimp around oyster beds and will test your drag system. They're not flashy fighters like reds, but they'll pull steady and hard, making you work for every inch. Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are perfect light tackle fish that hit fast and fight with surprising strength for their size. They school up in grass beds and around docks, making for consistent action when you find them. Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here – powerful, aggressive, and absolutely beautiful fish that can range from slot-size schoolers to massive bull reds over 35 inches. They'll eat just about anything and fight like they mean it, making long runs and trying to wrap you around any structure they can find.
This extended inshore trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Kure Beach's waters have to offer. With Captain Brannin's local knowledge, top-notch gear provided, and plenty of time to work different spots and techniques, you're set up for success. The three-angler limit means you're not dealing with crowds, and you'll have the captain's full attention to help you land fish and learn the waters. Whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler or chase that personal best, this trip delivers the time and expertise you need. Don't sleep on booking – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when these inshore species are most active.
Your fishing platform for this Kure Beach adventure is an 18-foot 2010 East Cape Lostmen flats boat that's built for serious angling. This shallow-water machine draws just 4-6 inches, letting you slip into skinny water where the big reds like to cruise. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without crowding each other during the fight. The boat comes equipped with everything you need to locate and land fish – GPS keeps you on the productive spots, radar cuts through morning fog, and the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. The wireless trolling motor lets you ghost into position without spooking wary drum and trout in the flats. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working structure for flounder, this versatile rig handles it all with ease.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that'll surprise you every time. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some nice 20+ inchers that really bend the rod. They bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms of our shallow inshore waters, waiting to ambush shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Fall and early winter are prime time when they move through our area heading to spawn offshore. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they nail your bait - plus they're some of the best eating fish around. Here's a local tip: when drift fishing, let your bait sit still on bottom for 30 seconds before slowly dragging it. That subtle movement often triggers a strike from flounder lying in wait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishery, averaging 20-30 inches with those signature black spots near their tails. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges where they root for crabs and shrimp. They're active year-round but fall brings the best action. What hooks anglers is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights in skinny water. Plus they're excellent table fare. The trick here is sight fishing in 1-3 feet of water. When you spot their tails or backs, cast past them and slowly work your bait into their path. They spook easily, so stay quiet and make long, accurate casts.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of the inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. These bottom-feeders love oyster bars, muddy flats, and structure around our inlets where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that make long, steady runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on bottom near oyster beds. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, resist the urge to set the hook hard - just start reeling steady pressure.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-24 inches with occasional larger fish. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow waters around structure. These spotted beauties are most active during cooler months and low-light periods. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - those surface explosions never get old. They're also fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat. Specks can be finicky, so varying your retrieve is key. My go-to trick: when fishing soft plastics, use a slow, twitching retrieve about a foot off bottom. They often follow the lure before striking, so don't stop your retrieve until it's out of the water.
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