Morehead City Fishing with Bubba Thing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
46 hour inshore fishing trips with Captain DaleTarget Cobia, Redfish, Black Drum, and Spanish MackerelSmall group experience accommodating up to 4 guests
Captain Dale knows these Morehead City waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on the fish during your 4-6 hour charter with Bubba Thing Charters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this top-rated fishing experience delivers exactly what you're looking for – bent rods, screaming drags, and memories that'll last a lifetime. With room for up to 4 guests, you'll get that personal touch that makes all the difference when you're hunting for Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, Cobia, and whatever else is biting in these productive waters.
Your fishing adventure kicks off from the heart of Morehead City, where Captain Dale will have everything rigged and ready before you even step aboard. The beauty of a 4-6 hour trip is the flexibility – if the fish are cooperating and you're having a blast, you can stretch it out. If conditions get rough or you've already filled the cooler, you can head back early. This isn't some cookie-cutter operation where everyone gets the same treatment. Captain Dale reads the water, watches the weather, and adjusts the game plan based on what's happening that day. Some trips you'll be sight fishing in the shallows, other days you might be working structure in deeper water. The boat stays comfortable with just 4 anglers max, so you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to fish the good spots.
Bubba Thing Charters comes equipped with quality gear that can handle everything from feisty Spanish Mackerel to bull Redfish that want to drag you into the nearest oyster bed. You'll fish with both spinning and conventional setups depending on what you're targeting. Live bait is often the ticket here – fresh shrimp, mullet, and whatever baitfish are running will be on deck. When the Spanish Mackerel are schooled up, you might find yourself casting spoons or pulling small trolling rigs. For Redfish, expect to work with cut bait around structure, or if you're lucky enough to find them tailing in skinny water, you'll get to sight cast to individual fish. Captain Dale's not afraid to switch up tactics mid-trip if something's not working, and he'll teach you the techniques that consistently produce fish in these waters.
Spanish Mackerel are the bread and butter around Morehead City, especially during their spring and fall runs. These fish might only run 1-3 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size and they're absolutely delicious on the table. You'll find them schooled up over reefs and around structure, often feeding aggressively on the surface. When they're biting, it's fast action with multiple hookups and bent rods all around the boat. The key is getting your bait to them quickly before the school moves on.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, and Morehead City has some real bruisers. These fish can push 20-30 pounds or more, and when you hook one, you know it immediately. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and cut bait, usually hanging around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and deeper channels. Spring and fall are prime time, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They're not fast, but they're strong, and a big drum will test your drag system and your back muscles.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of your bait presentation skills. These black and white striped fish have teeth like a human and they're notorious bait thieves. You'll find them around any kind of structure – docks, pilings, rocks, and wrecks. They're most active in cooler months, and catching them requires patience and finesse. Use the smallest hook you can get away with, keep your bait tight to the structure, and be ready for the subtle tap that means a Sheepshead is mouthing your offering.
Redfish are what dreams are made of in North Carolina waters. These bronze-backed bruisers can range from schoolie-sized "puppy drum" to bull Reds that'll straighten your hooks if you're not careful. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish feeding in the shallows during high tide and moving to deeper water as it drops. There's nothing like watching a big Red crush your bait in 2 feet of water, then make a blistering run toward the nearest structure.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good day into an amazing one. These brown sharks of the inshore world can show up anywhere from spring through fall, often following rays or cruising solo in open water. They're curious fish that will come check out the boat, giving you a shot at sight casting to them. A 30-40 pound Cobia will test every knot and connection you have, making multiple runs and trying to wrap you around anything they can find.
Captain Dale and Bubba Thing Charters have built their reputation one satisfied angler at a time, focusing on putting clients on fish while showing them the techniques that work in these waters. With only 4 spots available per trip, you get the personal attention that makes the difference between just fishing and actually catching. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, learn new techniques, or just spend a great day on the water, this charter delivers the goods. The fish are here year-round, but they won't wait for you to make up your mind. Book your 4-6 hour adventure with Bubba Thing Charters and see why anglers keep coming back to fish these world-class Morehead City waters with one of the area's most customer-focused operations.
Hit the waters around Morehead City aboard our 2022 Sea Fox 24-footer, powered by a Yamaha 300HP engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at up to 50 knots. This center console boat is built for serious anglers, with a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when targeting spooky fish, plus GPS and fish finder to locate schools of Cobia, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Black Drum. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines. Whether you're casting lures for Bonito or bottom fishing for Black Drum, this boat handles Morehead City's inshore waters like a dream. Captain Dale knows these fishing spots inside and out, and the Sea Fox's smooth ride means you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting beat up by chop.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically ranging 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around bridge pilings where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll have your best shot at multiple hookups. They're bulldogs on the rod, using their weight and strength for long, grinding fights. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. Fresh crab is your best bet for bait - it stays on the hook better and doesn't get stolen by catfish like shrimp does.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average 30-50 pounds and 3-4 feet long around here. They're loners most of the year, cruising near the surface around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 20-60 feet of water. Late spring through summer is your best window when they move inshore to spawn. These are serious fighters - long runs, powerful dives, and they never give up easy. The white meat rivals any fish in the ocean for eating quality. They're curious fish that'll often follow the boat, so sight fishing is key. When you spot one, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them and be ready - they hit hard and fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, averaging 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds around here. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them on grass flats, around oyster bars, and in marsh creeks, especially during moving tides. Fall is prime time when they school up in big numbers. They're aggressive fighters with strong runs and that classic drum thump. The meat is sweet and flaky - perfect for blackening or grilling. Best tip I can share: watch for tailing fish in skinny water and make quiet, accurate casts with topwater plugs or soft plastics. They'll blow up on surface baits like nothing else.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - gray bodies with black vertical stripes and human-like teeth that'll surprise you. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though 10+ pounders lurk around the best structure. They live around docks, bridges, jetties, and any barnacle-covered pilings where they pick crustaceans off with those weird teeth. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're schooled up. They're notorious bait thieves - you'll feel them nibbling before they commit. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around. My trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get tight to structure, and set the hook hard the second you feel weight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, silver-sided fish with yellowish spots that typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-20 inches. They're some of the quickest swimmers out here, often traveling in large schools near the surface. You'll find them around structures, jetties, and open water from late spring through fall when water temps warm up. They hit hard and fast - great for light tackle action. The meat is excellent eating with a mild flavor that grills, fries, or smokes beautifully. Pro tip: when you see diving birds or surface activity, get there quick and cast small spoons or live bait like shrimp. They spook easily, so drift into the school rather than motoring right up to them.
Morehead City