Fishing Trips in Atlantic Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing adventure with experienced Capt. Rick's guidanceAll necessary fishing equipment provided for convenient experienceSmall group capacity ensures personalized attention and coaching
Looking for a solid inshore fishing charter that'll put you on fish without the crowds? Cape Crusader Charters runs some of the top-rated fishing trips out of Atlantic Beach, and Captain Rick knows these waters like the back of his hand. With just two spots per trip, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home empty-handed and bragging about your catch for months. Rick brings decades of local knowledge, plus he's got all your gear covered – rods, reels, tackle, bait, the works. Just show up ready to fish.
Captain Rick runs a tight ship, but don't expect some stuffy corporate charter experience. This is real fishing with a guide who's been working these flats, channels, and structure spots since before GPS was a thing. You'll launch from Atlantic Beach and head to wherever the fish are biting that day – could be shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in just two feet of water, or deeper channels where flounder stack up waiting for baitfish to drift by. Rick reads the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you in the right spot at the right time. The boat's set up for inshore work with a shallow draft that gets you into places the big offshore rigs can't reach. With only two anglers max, there's no fighting for rod space or waiting your turn when fish start hitting. Rick's approach is hands-on – he'll show you how to work different baits, read your rod tip, and feel the difference between a fish pickup and bottom structure. Expect to cover water and learn something new, whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who fishes every chance you get.
Rick's got the gear dialed in for Atlantic Beach's inshore game, and he'll match your setup to whatever species you're targeting that day. For drum and redfish, expect medium-heavy spinning gear with enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Circle hooks are the standard here – they hook fish in the corner of the mouth and reduce gut hooking, especially important if you're planning to release your catch. Bait selection changes with the season and what's available locally. Fresh cut mullet works magic on drum, while live shrimp under a popping cork can trigger aggressive strikes from speckled trout and flounder. When the water's clear and fish are spooky, Rick switches to lighter fluorocarbon leaders and downsizes hooks. He's not afraid to throw artificials either – soft plastics on jig heads work great around structure, and topwater plugs can create explosive strikes during low-light periods. The technique varies with your target species. Drum fishing often means anchoring near structure and waiting for the bite, while redfish might require sight casting to cruising fish in skinny water. Rick adjusts his approach based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling him that particular day.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of Atlantic Beach's inshore scene, and these bruisers can test your tackle and your back muscles. You'll find them around bridge pilings, oyster bars, and rocky structure, especially during their spring spawning run when fish over 40 pounds move into shallow water. They're bottom feeders with a keen sense of smell, so fresh crab or cut bait works best. The fight's all about endurance – drum don't jump or make blazing runs, but they use their broad sides and stubborn nature to wear you down. Summer flounder bring a different challenge entirely. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury in sandy bottom and wait for prey to swim by. They're most active when the current's moving, particularly around inlet mouths and channel edges. A successful flounder trip requires covering water with bucktails, soft plastics, or live bait rigs. The bite can be subtle – just a gentle tap or extra weight on your line – so staying focused pays off. Striped bass, or rockfish as locals call them, show up in good numbers during their fall migration. They travel in schools and feed aggressively on baitfish, making them one of the most exciting targets for light tackle fishing.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" from their black and white stripes, but anglers know them for their notorious bait-stealing abilities. These fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles around structure. Fishing for sheepshead requires patience and the right technique – they'll often mouth your bait several times before committing to a real bite. Small hooks, light line, and fresh fiddler crabs give you the best shot at hooking up. Redfish might be the most sought-after species in these waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, hard-pulling, and absolutely beautiful. Reds feed in shallow water where you can often see them tailing or cruising, making for visual fishing that gets your heart pumping. A well-placed cast to a school of reds can result in multiple hookups, and their powerful runs toward structure keep things interesting. Captain Rick knows the seasonal movements of all these species and adjusts his fishing strategy accordingly, putting you in the best position to connect with whatever's biting that day.
Atlantic Beach's inshore fishing scene delivers year-round action, but the best trips book up fast, especially during peak seasons. Captain Rick's reputation for putting clients on fish means his calendar fills quickly, particularly during the spring drum run and fall striper migration. With only two spots per trip, you're getting a world-class fishing experience that bigger boats simply can't match. The personalized attention, local expertise, and quality gear make this a customer favorite for both first-time visitors and seasoned anglers who know what good guiding looks like. Rick handles all the details – tackle, bait, licenses, cleaning your catch – so you can focus on what matters most: fishing. Whether you're looking to check these species off your bucket list or just want a relaxing day on the water with a knowledgeable guide, Cape Crusader
Ready to hit the productive inshore waters around Atlantic Beach? This well-equipped motorboat gives you and one other angler the perfect platform for targeting the area's best fish species. With GPS navigation on board, Capt. Rick can put you right on the fish whether you're working the sound for redfish and speckled trout or cruising the nearshore waters for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. The boat handles these protected waters beautifully, letting you focus on your technique while the captain shares local knowledge about tides, structure, and what's biting. All your tackle and bait are provided, so you can travel light and fish hard. This intimate setup means personalized instruction and plenty of room to work your lines without crowding. Perfect for anglers who want to learn the ins and outs of Crystal Coast fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with occasional monsters hitting 50+ pounds. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we get consistent action. These fish are famous for their drumming sounds they make underwater, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab bait and keep it on the bottom. When you feel that steady pull, don't jerk - Black Drum pick up bait and move off slowly, so let them take it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our shallow water bulls, sporting copper-red sides and distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 20-35 inches in our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall brings peak action as they school up and feed aggressively before winter. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike in skinny water - nothing beats watching a big red blow up on a surface lure. They're also excellent eating when kept within slot limits. The trick is staying quiet and watching for tailing fish or nervous water. Throw gold spoons or topwater plugs early morning on the flats. When you spot one tailing, cast well ahead and work your lure past them slowly - they'll crush it when they see it moving.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their black and gray stripes, typically running 1-8 pounds around dock pilings, bridges, and jetties. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, making them one of our most unique catches. Winter and early spring are best when they gather around structure to spawn. These fish are notorious bait thieves and fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any fish we catch. The challenge is their light bite and quick mouth. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs work best, and here's the secret: get as close to the pilings as possible without spooking them. When you feel that subtle nibble, don't wait - set the hook immediately because they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the ultimate game fish here, running 20-40 pounds with those distinctive dark stripes down their silver sides. You'll find them around structure - bridge pilings, jetties, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. Spring and fall migrations bring the hottest action as they follow schools of menhaden and herring along our coast. These fish are pure fighters, making long runs and putting serious bend in your rod. Plus they're outstanding table fare when prepared fresh. The key is matching the bait to what they're feeding on - when the bunker schools are thick, nothing beats a live menhaden. Fish early morning or late evening near moving water, and always keep your drag smooth because these fish will test your equipment.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, averaging 15-20 inches with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. These flatfish lie camouflaged on the bottom around inlets, drop-offs, and structure waiting to ambush baitfish. Fall fishing from September through November gives you the best shot when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is watching that flat profile suddenly come alive when hooked - they fight hard and make great eating with sweet, white meat. The trick with flounder is patience and the right drift. Use live minnows or strips of squid, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
Atlantic Beach, NC