Half Day Croaker & Black Drum Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting black drum and croakerSmall group experience with maximum four guests aboardGuided adventure through Calabash inlet and river waters
Nothing beats spending four hours on the water chasing croaker and black drum in Calabash's productive inshore waters. Captain Shad's crew knows these inlet and river systems like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish whether you're holding a rod for the first time or you've been at this for decades. With only four anglers per trip, you get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great one. The beauty of fishing Calabash is you're working calm, protected waters where the fish are plentiful and the scenery keeps you relaxed between bites.
Your morning starts at the dock where Captain Shad's team gets you rigged up and ready to fish. We'll cruise out to the prime spots in the inlet and river systems, targeting structure and drop-offs where croaker and black drum love to hang out. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you can focus on what matters most: getting your line wet. The pace is laid-back but productive, giving you time to learn the techniques while putting fish in the cooler. You'll anchor up on productive bottom, drift over grass flats, and work the edges where these species feed most actively. The captain reads the water and adjusts throughout the trip, moving to fresh spots when the action slows down.
We fish light to medium tackle for croaker and black drum, using circle hooks with fresh shrimp, cut bait, or live finger mullet depending on what's working best. Bottom rigs are the go-to setup – simple, effective, and perfect for beginners to master quickly. The key is keeping your bait on or near the bottom where these fish do most of their feeding. For black drum, we'll often use heavier sinkers to hold bottom in current, while croaker fishing calls for lighter presentations that let the bait move naturally with the flow. The crew shows you how to feel the difference between a fish pickup and bottom contact, how to set the hook properly with circle hooks, and when to let the fish run versus when to apply pressure. Carolina rigs and fish-finder rigs are staples, and everything's pre-tied and ready to go.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this trip, and Calabash waters hold some real bruisers. These copper-colored fighters average 15-30 pounds but can push well over 40 pounds when you hook into a true heavyweight. They're most active during incoming tides when they cruise the shallows looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Black drum are notorious for their initial power run – they'll take line and test your drag before settling into a bulldogging fight that keeps you working. The best part about targeting black drum here is they're year-round residents, though spring and fall see the biggest concentrations as they move through on their spawning runs.
Atlantic croaker might not have the size of black drum, but they make up for it in numbers and eating quality. These silver-sided fish typically run 12-16 inches and are some of the best table fare you'll find inshore. Croaker get their name from the drumming sound they make using muscles around their swim bladder – you'll often hear them croaking in the live well after a good drift. They school up heavy during their fall migration, and when you find them, it's common to boat dozens in a single session. Croaker bite aggressively on small pieces of shrimp or squid, and they're perfect for kids or nervous beginners since they're easy to handle and rarely drop off the hook once hooked up.
This half-day trip delivers exactly what every angler wants – steady action, beautiful scenery, and the chance to put some quality fish in the cooler. Captain Shad's local knowledge of Calabash's inlet and river systems means you're fishing the most productive water available, and the small group size ensures everyone gets plenty of rod time. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to fishing or you want to target two of the area's most reliable species, this four-hour adventure hits all the marks. The trip books up quickly during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. Give Captain Shad's Coastal Charters a call and get ready for some top-rated inshore action that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's over.
Your fishing platform for this Calabash adventure is a reliable 23' Triton Seahunt center console that's been working these waters since 2001. Powered by a sturdy 150HP Yamaha outboard, she'll cruise you comfortably to the best croaker and black drum spots in the inlet and river systems around Calabash. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to move around while fighting fish, and with space for up to four anglers, there's no crowding at the rail. She's equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water - GPS to navigate the channels, fish finder to locate those drum schools, VHF radio for safety, plus radar for those foggy coastal mornings. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the 4-hour trip. This boat knows these local waters well and will get you to the productive fishing grounds where the black drum and Atlantic croaker are biting.
Micropogonias UndulatusAtlantic croakers are perfect starter fish that'll keep you busy all day. These silvery, spotted bottom-dwellers average around a pound and 18 inches, with the occasional 2-3 pounder mixed in. They live up to their name - you'll hear them croaking in the boat when you land one. Found in 25-30 feet around channels and muddy holes, they're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall tides. Great table fare and willing biters make them crowd-pleasers for families. The fight's modest but steady action keeps rods bent. Local secret: pump ghost shrimp from nearby mud flats for unbeatable bait. Small hooks and light tackle work best since their mouths are smaller.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90. These gray-black fighters love our brackish inlets and oyster beds where they use powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. You'll find them year-round, but spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up in shallow muddy flats. What makes them special? That distinctive croaking sound they make and the solid fight they put up. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table - the meat gets tough on bigger ones. Pro tip: fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig near oyster structure is deadly. Let it sit on bottom and wait for that telltale thump.
Calabash