Premium Mixed Species Flats Fishing in Beaufort Waters
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Full day charter targets redfish, trout, bluefish, and flounder16foot technical poling skiff accesses shallow flats and backcountryAll tackle provided for light tackle and fly fishing options
Looking for a solid day of fishing the Crystal Coast? This 8-hour mixed inshore charter out of Beaufort puts you right in the heart of some of North Carolina's best shallow water fishing. Starting at 7:00 AM, you'll be working the flats and backcountry waters aboard a 16-foot technical poling skiff that gets you into spots the bigger boats can't reach. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been chasing redfish for years, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back to these waters season after season.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you prefer spinning gear or want to try your hand at sight fishing with a fly rod. The 16-foot technical skiff is perfect for up to 2 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. You'll be targeting the big three that make Beaufort famous – redfish, speckled trout, and flounder – plus whatever bluefish decide to crash the party. All your tackle is provided, from light spinning setups to fly gear, so you can focus on fishing instead of rigging. The shallow draft means you'll be poling through grass flats, working oyster bars, and sneaking into creeks where the fish feel safe. Don't forget your NC fishing license – you can grab one online or at any tackle shop in town.
This charter runs both conventional light tackle and fly fishing, depending on what you're comfortable with and what the fish are doing. On the spinning side, you'll be throwing soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs when the trout are busting bait on the surface. The fly fishing here is world-class – sight casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water is about as good as it gets on the East Coast. Your guide will pole the skiff into position, spot the fish, and coach you through the cast. The technical poling setup means you can get within easy casting distance without spooking fish, whether you're working a chartreuse clouser or a gold spoon. During different tides, you'll move from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges where flounder hang out waiting to ambush baitfish.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): These guys are the bread and butter of Beaufort fishing, and for good reason. Specks here run anywhere from schoolie size up to 4-5 pound gator trout that'll test your drag. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon when they're feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer mornings can be fantastic if you get out early before the sun gets too high. What makes them so fun is their aggressive strike – when a big trout hits your topwater plug, you'll know it.
Redfish: The red drum around Beaufort are the stuff of legends, and these copper-colored bruisers put up a fight that'll leave your arms burning. You'll find them cruising the flats in schools during spring and fall, often with their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Summer fish tend to be more solitary but bigger, with slot-sized reds between 18-27 inches being common. The sight fishing opportunities here are incredible – watching a red slowly cruise toward your fly or lure gets your heart pumping every single time. They're year-round residents, but fall fishing when they're fattening up for winter is absolutely lights out.
Southern Flounder: Don't overlook the flatfish – Beaufort's flounder fishing is some of the best you'll find anywhere. These ambush predators lie in wait along channel edges, around structure, and in deeper pockets of the flats. They're masters of camouflage, but once hooked, they make surprisingly strong runs for the bottom. The best flounder action typically happens during warmer months when they're actively feeding, and a slow-bounced jig head with a soft plastic is hard to beat. Landing a 3-4 pound doormat flounder is a trip highlight that'll have you grinning for days.
This top-rated Beaufort fishing charter offers the perfect mix of technique, scenery, and fish-catching action that makes the Crystal Coast such a renowned destination. With 8 hours on the water and a captain who knows how to put you on fish, you're looking at a day that delivers both quantity and quality. The intimate setting of the poling skiff means personalized instruction and prime fishing spots that bigger boats simply can't access. Whether you're looking to improve your light tackle skills, try fly fishing for the first time, or just want to catch some quality fish in beautiful water, this charter checks all the boxes. Bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, and camera – the rest is taken care of. Book now and get ready to experience why anglers keep coming back to fish these legendary North Carolina waters year after year.
This restored 1993 Contender Center Console is a serious fishing machine built to get you on the fish fast. At 27 feet, she cuts through Beaufort's waters with twin 200HP Suzuki engines that'll push you to the hottest fishing spots at 40 knots. The 2016 restoration brought her back to prime condition for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the Cape Lookout area. With room for 4 anglers, the center console layout gives everyone space to work their lines without getting tangled up. GPS navigation keeps you on the productive waters, while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. Radar comes in handy when morning fog rolls in off the sound. The boat's design handles both the shallow flats and deeper channels around Beaufort, so you can chase whatever's biting. Built tough for Carolina waters, this Contender delivers the speed and fishability you need for a productive day on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in Beaufort. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and are famous for that black spot near their tail. They love shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Fall is peak season when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love most is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat just about anything. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Local trick: look for "nervous water" or slight surface disturbances - that's usually reds pushing bait in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular targets here in Beaufort waters. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and love hanging around grass flats and shallow areas, especially at dawn and dusk. They're ambush feeders that'll slam a well-placed lure or live shrimp with authority. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table - just don't overcook it. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active in 2-4 feet of water. My go-to tip: work your lure slow and steady over the grass beds. When you feel that telltale "thump," set the hook quick because they've got soft mouths that tear easily.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy and muddy bottoms around Beaufort. These flatfish typically measure 15-18 inches and are built for ambushing prey from their hideouts in the sand. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them one of nature's oddest-looking predators. They prefer structure like creek mouths, drop-offs, and channel edges in 3-15 feet of water. Fall migration is prime time as they move toward deeper water. Anglers love them because they're fantastic eating - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. My local tip: drag your bait slowly along the bottom and be patient. When a flounder grabs your bait, count to three before setting the hook.
undefined, undefined