Wilmington Inshore Fishing | 4 HR Private Trip
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that won't break the bank? This 4-hour private charter with Carolina Charters is your ticket to some of the best inshore action Wilmington has to offer. Captain Victor knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish from the moment you step aboard. Starting at 7 AM sharp, you'll have the prime morning bite all to yourself with up to 3 friends or family members. At $400 for the whole boat, it's hard to beat the value, especially when you're targeting some of North Carolina's most sought-after inshore species.
What to Expect on the Water
Your morning starts at the boat ramp where Captain Victor will be waiting with everything prepped and ready to roll. The live well is already loaded with fresh bait he's caught himself with a cast net, and all tackle is rigged for the day's conditions. Within 10 minutes of boarding, you'll be making your way to the first fishing spot. This isn't a rushed trip – Victor takes his time to work productive areas, hitting multiple locations throughout the morning to keep the action steady. The boat is comfortable for four anglers, and there's plenty of space to move around when fighting fish. Available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April 15 through December 31, this trip catches the peak seasons for most target species.
Flats and Structure Fishing
You'll be fishing the shallow flats and around dock structures where these fish love to hang out. Victor uses a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working best that day. The technique is pretty straightforward – you'll be bottom fishing with circle hooks for drum and sheepshead, working soft plastics around structure for flounder, and sight fishing the flats when reds are tailing. The captain handles all the baiting and rigging, so you can focus on the fun part. He's especially good with kids, taking the time to teach proper technique and making sure everyone gets hands-on experience. The shallow water fishing means you're never far from shore, and the scenery along the way is pretty spectacular.
What Anglers Are Saying
"My son and I went for a four hour fishing trip with Captain Victor Trejo and Carolina Charters. We had a blast!! When we got to the boat ramp the Captain was already waiting for us and ready to go with a live well full of live bait that he caught with a cast net. Captain took us to multiple good fishing spots and we caught multiple red drum in the 19 to 20 inch size range. These were the first red drum for both of us. My son was very excited when he caught his first red drum. .This fishing trip is very kid friendly. Captain Trejo spent a lot of time showing my son different techniques to help him catch more fish. That was greatly appreciated. We caught ray also. A beautiful and fun day on the water. We will definitely be back!" - Jeffrey
"Capt Victor put us on the fish! We went to catch red drum and caught our limit! It's clear he has been fishing these waters for a long time. Day started off with out a hitch, he was ready for us when we pulled into the boat ramp. Boat, tackle and bait were ready to go and we were fishing within 10 minutes of boarding. At every spot Victor took us he baited the lines and put rods in our hands right away, he'd even throw one out for my 7 yr old and put the rod in his hand or the holder depending on what my son wanted. Caught a ton of fish throughout the morning. 5 reds, multiple flounder, and a few other species that were fun to fight. Victor was super professional and extremely helpful to all of us but was a great captain to have for my kid. He was super patient and attentive. I've been on a bunch of local inshore charters and this was one of the best, by far! Would recommend 10/10 and will definitely be back!" - Davis
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black Drum are the workhorses of Wilmington's inshore scene, and they're active almost year-round in these waters. These bottom-dwellers can range from small puppy drum around 14-16 inches all the way up to massive bulls pushing 40+ pounds. They're not the flashiest fighters, but they'll give you a solid pull and they're excellent table fare in the smaller sizes. You'll find them around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and deeper holes in the flats. Spring and fall are peak times, but don't count them out during summer months.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Wilmington's waters hold some real beauties. These copper-colored bruisers are famous for their drag-screaming runs and stubborn fights. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with September and October being absolute money months. When they're tailing in skinny water, it's some of the most visual fishing you'll find on the East Coast.
Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to crush baitfish. These flatfish are prized for their sweet, flaky meat and challenging nature – they'll often grab your bait and just sit there, making you think you're snagged on bottom. Summer months are prime time, especially around structure like docks, jetties, and channel edges. A good-sized doormat flounder (anything over 20 inches) is a real trophy and makes for some of the best eating you'll find in salt water.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters of the inshore world. With their human-like teeth and notorious bait-stealing abilities, they'll test your patience and skill. But