Private Half-Day Kids Nearshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 3hour kids fishing trip near Sneads Ferry inletTarget Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, King Mackerel, and Grey TroutAccommodates up to 6 people with patient, experienced captain
Getting kids hooked on fishing doesn't have to mean dragging them out to rough waters or spending all day on the boat. This 3-hour private nearshore trip from Sneads Ferry is perfectly designed for young anglers who want real fishing action without the marathon experience. We stay close to the inlet—just a mile or two out—where the water's calmer and the fish are biting. Your family gets the entire boat to yourselves, so there's no pressure from other anglers, and kids can learn at their own pace. At $600 for up to 6 people, it's a solid deal that gets everyone involved without breaking the bank.
This trip is all about keeping things fun and manageable for younger crew members. We launch from Sneads Ferry and head out to productive nearshore waters where Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, King Mackerel, and Grey Trout hang out. The beauty of staying close to the inlet means we're not dealing with big swells or long boat rides that can wear out little ones before they even wet a line. Your captain knows exactly where to find fish that are willing to bite, and more importantly, knows how to work with kids of all skill levels. Whether you've got a 5-year-old who's never held a rod or a teenager who thinks they know everything about fishing, we'll make sure everyone gets in on the action. The shorter timeframe keeps energy levels high and attention spans engaged—three hours is the sweet spot for maximum fun without the meltdowns.
We keep the fishing techniques simple but effective for this trip. Most of the time, we're either trolling small spoons and lures for Spanish Mackerel and Kings, or anchoring up over structure to bottom fish for Bluefish and Trout. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included, and we use lighter tackle that's easier for smaller hands to manage. When trolling, kids love watching the rods bend over when fish hit the lures—it's instant excitement that gets everyone scrambling to see who's going to reel in the catch. For bottom fishing, we'll use circle hooks and cut bait or live shrimp, which gives kids a better chance of hooking up solid. The captain handles all the technical stuff like rigging lines and finding fish, so parents can focus on helping their young anglers and taking pictures of the action. We've got a cooler with ice on board to keep your catch fresh, and basic first aid supplies because, let's face it, hooks and excited kids sometimes don't mix perfectly.
Spanish Mackerel are absolutely perfect for kids because they're aggressive, fight hard for their size, and bite consistently during the warmer months from late spring through early fall. These silvery speedsters typically run 1-3 pounds and will slam small spoons, jigs, or live bait with enthusiasm that matches any young angler's energy level. They're also excellent eating, so kids get the satisfaction of catching dinner. The nearshore waters off Sneads Ferry hold good numbers of Spanish Mackerel, especially around structure and temperature breaks where baitfish congregate.
Bluefish are the perfect introduction to serious fishing for kids because they're aggressive, plentiful, and will eat just about anything you put in front of them. These toothy predators range from "snapper" blues around a pound up to larger fish pushing 5-8 pounds in our nearshore waters. They fight hard, make great photos, and are abundant from spring through late fall. Kids love the immediate gratification when blues are feeding—multiple hookups are common, and the action can be non-stop. Just watch those teeth when bringing them in the boat!
King Mackerel represent the trophy potential on these trips, even though we're staying relatively close to shore. While most nearshore Kings run smaller than their offshore cousins—typically 5-15 pounds in our area—they still provide that big fish thrill that can turn a kid into a lifelong angler. Kings are most active during the warmer months and early fall, and they love to hit trolled baits and lures. When a King hits, everyone on the boat knows it, and the fight that follows creates memories that last forever. Even smaller Kings provide enough battle to make young anglers feel like they've accomplished something special.
This top-rated kids fishing trip fills up quickly, especially during peak season and weekends when families are looking for quality time on the water. The private charter format means you're not competing with other families for the captain's attention, and the 3-hour duration is perfectly sized for young attention spans. With free cancellation if you give us 7 days' notice, there's no risk in securing your date early. The $600 price covers up to 6 people, making it an affordable way to introduce multiple kids to the sport or treat the whole extended family to a morning they won't forget. Sneads Ferry's location gives us quick access to productive fishing grounds, so you spend more time with lines in the water and less time traveling. Book now and get ready to create some fishing memories that'll have your kids asking when you can go again.
The Drifter is a Southport 30 center console that's built for family fishing adventures off Sneads Ferry. Twin 300hp Yamaha outboards power this stable platform through nearshore waters where Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and King Mackerel cruise just outside the inlet. The spacious center console design gives kids plenty of room to move around while fighting fish, and the smooth ride keeps everyone comfortable during the 3-hour trip. Tournament-grade fish finder helps locate schools of baitfish and gamefish, while GPS navigation ensures safe passage in these productive coastal waters. Radar provides extra safety when weather conditions change, and the onboard toilet means no cutting trips short. With capacity for 6 anglers, families can enjoy hands-on fishing without crowded conditions, letting young anglers learn proper techniques for landing their catches in the rich waters off North Carolina's coast.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive fighters that kids absolutely love because they'll hit just about anything you throw at them. These feisty fish run 2-10 pounds around here and have razor-sharp teeth that demand respect. You'll find schools feeding in 15-50 feet over sandy bottom, especially near inlet mouths and around bait schools during summer and fall. They're famous for their feeding frenzies that can turn the water into a washing machine of activity. The smaller "snapper" blues make excellent table fare when handled right - just bleed them immediately and keep them cold. Watch your fingers when unhooking these guys - those teeth are no joke. When you see birds diving, head that way fast - blues push baitfish to the surface and create some of the most exciting fishing we get.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the prize catch on our nearshore trips - these silver rockets typically run 20-40 pounds and can hit speeds that'll make your reel scream. You'll find them cruising in 40-150 feet of water around structure and baitfish schools, usually within a couple miles of the inlet. Spring through fall brings the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot above 70 degrees. Kids love the drag-burning runs and the bragging rights that come with landing one. The meat's excellent when prepared fresh, though we recommend catch and release for the bigger breeders. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and double-hook your live bait - kings love to bite the tail end first, so that stinger hook back there will save you from a lot of heartbreak.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are perfect starter fish for young anglers - they're aggressive biters that typically run 1-3 pounds and put up a scrappy fight without being overwhelming. These silver speedsters love to school up near the surface around structure, bait pods, and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. We see them best from late spring through early fall when the water warms up. Kids get a kick out of their acrobatic jumps and the steady action when we find a school. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch - mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to trick is using small shiny spoons or jigs and keeping your retrieve fast - these fish are built for speed and won't chase a slow-moving bait.
undefined, undefined