Beaufort NC Mixed Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Full-day charter targets redfish, trout, bluefish, and flounder16' technical polling skiff accesses shallow flats and backcountryCaptain provides all tackle for light and fly fishing
Get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing North Carolina's Crystal Coast has to offer. This 8-hour mixed bag charter puts you right in the heart of Beaufort's legendary fishing waters, where redfish prowl the grass flats, speckled trout ambush baitfish in the channels, and flounder lay buried in sandy potholes waiting for their next meal. Starting at first light (7:00 AM), you'll have a full day to work the tides and target multiple species that call these waters home. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to put some fish in the cooler or a dedicated angler wanting to master the flats, this trip delivers the variety and action that keeps fishermen coming back to Beaufort year after year.
You'll be fishing from a 16-foot technical poling skiff that's built for getting into those skinny water spots where the big fish hide. This isn't your typical head boat experience – we're talking about a specialized shallow-water machine designed for 1-2 passengers that can slip into backcountry areas most boats can't reach. The shallow draft means you'll be working oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where redfish tail in inches of water and trout blow up topwater baits against the shoreline. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether they're holding deep in the channels during moving water or pushing up shallow during the flood tide. All gear is provided, including light tackle setups and fly rods for those who want to sight-fish with flies. The boat carries everything from DOA shrimp and soft plastics to topwater plugs and spoons – whatever it takes to match the conditions and what the fish are eating that day.
This charter caters to both conventional and fly fishing styles, so you can choose your weapon based on conditions and personal preference. The light tackle setups are perfect for working soft plastics through grass beds or throwing spoons at breaking fish, while the fly rods shine when you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or working poppers over shallow flats. Your captain will have you rigged and ready with the right setup for the situation – maybe a popping cork with live shrimp when the trout are finicky, or a gold spoon when the reds are fired up and chasing bait. The technical poling platform lets your guide position the boat silently using a push pole, keeping you in prime casting position without spooking fish in shallow water. This is flats fishing at its finest, where stealth and precise boat handling make all the difference between watching fish and actually hooking up.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Beaufort's inshore scene, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches in local waters, with plenty of "gator trout" over 20 inches lurking in deeper holes and channel edges. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk when they push up shallow to feed on glass minnows and shrimp. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their aggressive strikes – they'll absolutely crush a topwater plug or popping cork setup when conditions are right. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can produce explosive topwater bites that'll have you grinning for days.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Carolina flats fishing, and Beaufort's grass flats hold some genuine bulls. These copper-colored fighters range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bruisers that'll test your drag and your arms. Reds are year-round residents here, but they're most accessible during warmer months when they're tailing in skinny water and cruising the flats in small schools. There's nothing like watching a redfish's back fin and tail break the surface as it roots around in turtle grass – it gets your heart pumping every single time. They eat everything from live shrimp to cut bait to well-placed flies, but the real magic happens when you can sight-cast to them in clear, shallow water.
Southern Flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're pure eating and a blast to catch on light tackle. These flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms around oyster bars, creek mouths, and channel edges. They typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with occasional doormat-sized fish that'll surprise you with their power. Flounder fishing is all about working the structure – dragging soft plastics along the bottom near pilings, oyster beds, and drop-offs where they ambush passing baitfish. Fall is prime time for flounder as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run, making them both more numerous and better table fare.
This 8-hour mixed bag charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Beaufort's inshore waters have to offer. With a local captain who knows where the fish are and when they bite, plus all the gear and tackle you'll need, all you have to do is show up ready to fish. Don't forget your NC fishing license, some sunscreen, and maybe pack a cooler with drinks and snacks to keep you fueled through the day. The 16-foot technical skiff design means you'll access spots other boats simply can't reach, giving you first crack at underpressured fish in pristine backcountry waters. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table or just want to spend a day doing what you love on some of the East Coast's best inshore waters, this charter delivers the goods. Book now and get ready to see why Beaufort has such a reputation among serious inshore anglers.
This restored 1993 Contender Center Console is your ticket to serious fishing action in Beaufort's productive waters. At 27 feet with twin 200HP Suzuki engines, she'll cruise at 40 knots to get you on the fish fast. The spacious center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to work the rods when the redfish and speckled trout are biting. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate those productive spots and keep you safe in changing conditions. Built tough for the demanding Carolina coast, this boat handles both the protected flats and open waters where bluefish and flounder wait. The clean layout and updated systems from her 2016 refit mean you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about the ride.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ pounds. Look for their distinctive black spot near the tail as they cruise 1-4 foot flats, especially around oyster beds and grass edges. They're year-round residents but really fire up in spring and fall. What guests love most is watching them tail in skinny water and the bulldogging fight they put up. Red drum have that sweet, mild flavor that makes them a favorite on the dinner table. They'll eat everything from live shrimp to cut bait and artificial lures. Local trick: when you spot a tailing red, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout run 14-24 inches around here and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow waters, especially early morning and evening. They love structure like oyster bars and drop-offs near 3-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime time, but don't overlook cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What makes specks special is their aggressive strikes and excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady near grass beds. When you feel that tap, don't set the hook hard - their mouths are soft and you'll pull right through.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but doormat-sized ones over 5 pounds are always possible. They bury themselves in 2-15 feet of water around creek mouths, channels, and structure where current brings food. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore to spawn. Anglers love the challenge of targeting these ambush predators and their firm, white meat is outstanding table fare. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique appearance. They'll take live finger mullet, shrimp, or slowly worked jigs bounced along bottom. Key tip: use light sinkers and let your bait drift naturally with the current - flounder are patient hunters and won't chase fast-moving baits.
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