Beaufort NC Striped Bass and Redfish Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targeting striped bass and redfish16foot technical polling skiff accesses shallow backwatersAll fishing equipment and tackle provided by captain
Nothing beats the feeling of hooking into a solid striper or red drum in the pristine waters around New Bern and Beaufort. This 8-hour inshore charter puts you right in the action aboard a 16-foot technical poling skiff that gets you into places bigger boats can't reach. Starting at 7 AM sharp, you'll have the whole day to work the backwaters, creeks, and grass flats where these fish love to hang out. With space for up to 4 anglers, this top-rated charter focuses on light tackle and fly fishing techniques that make every fight memorable.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish using the shallow draft advantage of the technical skiff. We're talking about getting into skinny water where the big reds cruise the grass beds and stripers ambush baitfish in the creek mouths. The 16-foot boat is rigged specifically for this type of fishing – low profile for sneaking up on spooky fish, and equipped with everything you need for a successful day. You'll be sight fishing in crystal clear water one minute, then working structure in deeper holes the next. The variety keeps things exciting and gives you the best shot at both target species. Your captain provides all the tackle, from spinning gear to fly rods, plus a full selection of lures and flies that have been proven to work in these specific waters.
This charter is all about finesse fishing with light tackle that makes every fish feel like a monster. We're talking 8-12 pound test spinning gear and 8-weight fly rods that let you feel every head shake and run. The technical poling skiff design allows for stealthy approaches using the push pole, especially when targeting tailing redfish in the shallows. Your captain will position the boat perfectly for casting to feeding fish, often within 30-50 feet of your target. Lure selection varies based on conditions – soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations work great for both species, while topwater plugs create explosive strikes during the right conditions. Fly anglers will love working clouser minnows, crab patterns, and deceiver-style flies that mimic the abundant baitfish in these waters. The shallow draft capability means you'll fish areas that see minimal pressure, giving you shots at fish that haven't been educated by heavy boat traffic.
Striped Bass in the New Bern and Beaufort area are absolute fighters that provide some of the most consistent action you'll find on the East Coast. These fish typically range from 18-28 inches in this area, with plenty of keeper-sized fish mixed in with some real bruisers that can push 30+ inches. Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest numbers, but resident fish provide year-round opportunities. Stripers here love to feed on the abundant menhaden, mullet, and shrimp that populate these waters. They're ambush predators that use current breaks, oyster bars, and creek mouths to their advantage. What makes them so fun to target is their aggressive nature – when they're feeding, they'll hit lures and flies with authority. The light tackle makes their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps even more exciting.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing in this area, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are built for fighting and rarely give up without a battle. The reds around New Bern and Beaufort typically run 20-32 inches, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in that can stretch the tape past 40 inches. What sets redfish apart is their year-round availability and willingness to eat a variety of presentations. During warmer months, you'll spot them tailing in skinny water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall brings some of the best action as schools of reds move through the area feeding heavily before winter. These fish are incredibly strong and use their broad tails to make blistering runs that test your drag and your nerves. The sight fishing opportunities for reds in this area are world-class, especially when you can pole up on a school feeding in 2-3 feet of crystal clear water.
This 8-hour charter gives you the full treatment – enough time to work multiple spots, adjust techniques based on conditions, and really get dialed in on what the fish want. The early 7 AM start puts you on the water during prime feeding times, and the extended day means you'll experience different tidal phases that keep the action varied. With all tackle provided and drinks available on board, you just need to show up with your fishing license, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The intimate 4-angler maximum ensures personalized attention and plenty of casting opportunities for everyone. Whether you're a light tackle enthusiast or fly fishing fanatic, this charter delivers the kind of inshore action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when both stripers and reds are most active.
This restored 1993 Contender Center Console is a serious fishing machine built to get you on the stripers and reds around Beaufort's inshore waters. At 27 feet with twin 200HP Suzuki engines, she'll cruise at 40 knots to get you to the productive spots fast. The 2016 restoration brought her back to prime condition for chasing fish in North Carolina's coastal waters. With GPS, radar, and fish finder onboard, your captain can navigate the backwaters and locate schools even when visibility drops. The center console layout gives all four anglers plenty of room to work light tackle or fly rods without getting tangled up. Her design handles the choppy waters between New Bern and the fishing grounds while keeping you comfortable during the 8-hour charter. Perfect for small groups who want to focus on technique rather than crowds - whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or working structure for striped bass.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the perfect shallow water target for our technical skiff. These copper-colored fighters with the signature black spots near their tail typically run 18-35 inches in our area, with plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for dinner. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds - sometimes in water so thin their backs stick out. Spring through fall fishing is fantastic, but they bite year-round when conditions are right. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water - it's like hunting with a rod. They fight dirty too, using their broad sides to pull hard in the shallows. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing, cast well ahead and let your bait settle - they spook easily but feed aggressively once committed.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are hands-down one of the most exciting fish to target in our North Carolina waters. These silver beauties with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we see plenty in the 10-30 pound range that still put up a serious fight. They love structure - think creek mouths, oyster bars, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding during their migration, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special is their power - they'll make long runs and test your drag like few other fish. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Local tip: watch for diving birds early morning - that's your sign the stripers are pushing bait to the surface.
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