Extended Half Day New Bern Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour extended halfday inshore fishing adventureTarget redfish, sea trout, flounder, and striped bassWellequipped 21' Sea Pro accommodates up to three guests
When you want serious fishing time without committing to a full-day charter, Captain Zachary's extended half-day trip hits that sweet spot perfectly. This 6-hour adventure starts at 6:30 AM sharp, giving you prime morning hours when the fish are most active in New Bern's productive inshore waters. You'll be targeting redfish, sea trout, flounder, and striped bass aboard a well-maintained 21' Sea Pro SD that's built for these Carolina waters. With room for up to three anglers, this trip offers a more intimate fishing experience where everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from the captain.
Meeting at 1309 Country Club Rd, you'll board the Sea Pro SD which comes fully rigged with quality fishing gear and reliable electronics to locate fish and navigate New Bern's intricate waterways. Captain Zachary knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on productive spots based on tide, weather, and seasonal patterns. The extended timeframe means you're not rushing from spot to spot – instead, you can really work an area thoroughly when the bite is hot. The boat's setup is perfect for light tackle inshore fishing, with plenty of deck space for fighting fish and comfortable seating between spots. All tackle, bait, and gear are provided, so you just need to bring your valid North Carolina fishing license, some snacks if you want them, and your enthusiasm for a good day of fishing.
New Bern's inshore fishing revolves around structure, grass beds, and tidal flow, so Captain Zachary employs a variety of techniques to match the conditions. You'll likely be using live bait like mud minnows, shrimp, and finger mullet for the bigger predators, while artificial lures such as soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs can be deadly when fish are feeding aggressively. The captain provides quality spinning tackle that's perfectly matched to these waters – light enough to feel every bite but with enough backbone to handle a bull red or hefty striper. Depending on the tide and target species, you might be drift fishing over grass flats, anchoring near structure, or making strategic casts to visible fish. The extended timeframe allows for multiple techniques throughout the trip, so beginners can learn different approaches while experienced anglers can fine-tune their skills in various scenarios.
Southern flounder are the bread and butter of New Bern inshore fishing, and these flatfish are absolute masters of camouflage. They're most active during moving tides, especially around structure like docks, bridge pilings, and channel edges where they ambush unsuspecting baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with larger "doormat" flounder showing up in cooler months. What makes flounder so exciting is their sneaky bite – they'll often just pick up your bait and swim off, so you need to pay attention and give them time to swallow before setting the hook. Once hooked, they put up a bulldogging fight that belies their flat profile.
Striped bass, locally called stripers or rockfish, are serious gamefish that provide some of the most exciting action in these waters. They school up and feed aggressively, especially in fall and spring when water temperatures are ideal. These fish are built like silver torpedoes and fight accordingly, making long runs and using their broad sides to create maximum resistance. New Bern's stripers typically range from schoolie size up to genuine trophy fish over 30 inches. They're particularly fond of live bait but will absolutely crush topwater lures when conditions are right, creating explosive surface strikes that'll get your heart racing.
Sea trout, also known as speckled trout or just "specks," are arguably the most popular inshore gamefish in North Carolina waters. These beautiful fish have distinctive spots along their silvery sides and provide consistent action throughout most of the year. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, oyster bars, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Sea trout have relatively soft mouths, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them – they're notorious for throwing hooks if you get too aggressive. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Carolina inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are what dreams are made of. Distinguished by their distinctive black spots near the tail, reds are powerful fish that use their broad tails and stubborn nature to test your tackle and technique. They're year-round residents but are most active in warmer months when they school up in shallow water. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat in extremely shallow water – sometimes with their backs out of the water – creating sight-fishing opportunities that are pure adrenaline. When a big red takes off on its initial run, you'll understand why these fish have such a devoted following among serious anglers.
This extended half-day trip with Eastern Inshore Charters offers the perfect balance of fishing time and value for anglers who want a quality inshore experience. Captain Zachary's local knowledge, combined with well-maintained equipment and a boat designed for these waters, gives you every advantage for a successful day of fishing. The 6-hour timeframe means you're not constantly watching the clock, and the early morning start puts you on the water when fish are most cooperative. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table, introduce someone to inshore fishing, or just enjoy a relaxing morning on New Bern's beautiful waters, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – book your spot now and experience why New Bern is considered one of North Carolina's premier inshore fishing destinations.
This 21-foot Sea Pro SD is built for serious fishing in New Bern's productive waters. With a reliable 225 HP Suzuki pushing you to the best spots, you'll have plenty of power to reach those redfish and sea trout hotspots efficiently. The boat comfortably handles three anglers with room to move around while working the flats and channels. Quality electronics help locate fish and navigate safely, while ample storage keeps your gear organized and tackle within reach. Safety equipment is standard, and the boat's design handles both protected inshore waters and nearshore runs when conditions allow. Perfect for those extended mornings when the fish are biting and you want to make the most of prime feeding times around the sound.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - copper-colored bruisers with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most range from 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of slot fish and the occasional bull red over 35 inches. They cruise super shallow water, often in just 1-3 feet around oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats. You'll sometimes see their backs breaking the surface. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is that powerful, bulldog fight - they use that broad tail to pull hard and make long runs. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing aspect is addictive too, watching them cruise the shallows. Pro tip: when you spot a cruising red, lead them by about 10 feet and let your bait settle. They're curious but spooky, so subtle presentations beat aggressive ones every time.
Salmo TruttaSea trout (or speckled trout as we call them) are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinct black spots and a yellow mouth. Most run 14-18 inches, though we regularly see fish pushing 20+ inches during prime times. They love grass flats, channel edges, and drop-offs in 3-10 feet of water. Spring through fall are productive, but late spring and early fall can be outstanding when water temps are in that sweet spot. What makes specks special is their aggressive nature - they'll hit topwater plugs with authority and make several jumps before coming to the boat. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. They're also one of the most willing biters we target. Local secret: focus on moving water around grass beds during low light periods. A popping cork with live shrimp suspended about 18 inches below works magic, especially when you can see them busting bait on the surface.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. Around New Bern, you'll find them in 2-8 feet of water near oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass flats. They typically run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, though we catch some pushing 8+ pounds. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore. What makes them special is their incredible table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They fight smart rather than hard, using that flat body to their advantage. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. Flounder like to grab bait sideways first, then turn it to swallow headfirst. Give them that extra second and your hookup ratio will improve dramatically.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are some of the hardest-fighting fish you'll encounter in our waters, running anywhere from school fish around 18-24 inches up to trophy bulls over 30 inches. They love structure - bridge pilings, oyster bars, channel edges, and creek mouths where baitfish get pinned. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're actively feeding, especially during moving water on the tide changes. What guests love about stripers is that explosive strike and the way they dig deep, making long runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. These fish are nomadic, so we stay mobile and follow the bait schools. Here's a local trick: watch for diving birds working over schooling baitfish. When you see that action, get there fast and throw everything you've got - the bite can be red hot but short-lived.
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