Premium Half Day Afternoon Fishing with Captain Zachary
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and sea troutProfessional captain provides all equipment on comfortable 21foot boatSmall group experience accommodates up to three anglers maximum
There's something special about hitting the water at 1:00 PM when the afternoon bite starts heating up around New Bern. Captain Zachary knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, and his 4-hour afternoon trips consistently put anglers on fish. You'll be fishing from his well-maintained 21' Sea Pro SD – a boat that's built for these North Carolina waters and perfectly sized for up to three anglers. The electronics are dialed in, the gear is quality stuff, and the captain's got the local knowledge to make your afternoon count. Whether you're looking to bend the rod on some hard-fighting redfish or fill the cooler with keeper trout, this trip delivers the goods.
Captain Zachary runs a top-rated operation that focuses on putting you on the fish that make New Bern famous. The afternoon departure gives you prime time fishing when the water temperature is just right and the fish are actively feeding. You'll meet at 1309 Country Club Rd where everything is ready to go – rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all provided. The 21' Sea Pro is spacious enough that three anglers can fish comfortably without getting tangled up, and the captain knows how to position the boat to give everyone their best shot. The electronics package helps locate structure and baitfish, but it's really the captain's experience reading the water that makes the difference. These are productive waters, and with four solid hours of fishing time, you're going to see why New Bern has such a reputation among inshore anglers.
The beauty of New Bern's inshore fishing is the variety of techniques that work depending on conditions and what's biting. Captain Zachary adjusts the approach based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for trout, pitching soft plastics to oyster bars for redfish, or working the deeper holes with bottom rigs for flounder. The tackle is matched to the target – medium spinning gear that can handle a 30-inch red but still has the sensitivity to feel a trout pick up your bait. When the stripers are running, you'll step up to slightly heavier gear and work larger baits or lures. The captain provides quality Penn and Shimano setups that are well-maintained and spooled with fresh line. Live bait is often the ticket here – live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet all have their place depending on what you're targeting and where you're fishing.
Redfish: These copper-colored fighters are the crown jewel of New Bern's inshore scene. Reds run strong here year-round, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, especially around the oyster bars and grass flats. What makes redfish so special is their attitude – they hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up easy. You'll find them tailing in shallow water on calm days or stacked up around structure when conditions get rough. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) make excellent table fare, while the oversized bulls are pure adrenaline on light tackle.
Sea Trout: Speckled trout are the bread and butter of New Bern fishing, and Captain Zachary knows every grass bed and drop-off where they hang out. These fish are most active during the warmer months, with peak action from April through October. Trout are ambush predators that love to suspend over grass beds waiting for baitfish, and they're suckers for a well-presented shrimp or soft plastic. The average fish runs 14-16 inches, but New Bern regularly produces "gator trout" over 20 inches that'll make your day. They're excellent eating and relatively easy to clean, making them a customer favorite for anglers wanting to take fish home.
Southern Flounder: Doormat flounder are one of the most challenging and rewarding fish you can target in these waters. These masters of camouflage bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to ambush passing prey. Summer is prime time for flounder, especially around creek mouths and channel edges. They're not flashy fighters, but landing a keeper flounder (15+ inches) is always satisfying because they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The bigger females can reach impressive sizes – a 5-pound flounder is a genuine trophy that'll have you grinning for photos.
Striped Bass: When stripers are in the area, it's game on for some of the most exciting fishing New Bern has to offer. These fish are seasonal visitors, typically showing up in spring and fall when water temperatures are in their comfort zone. Stripers are aggressive predators that often travel in schools, so when you find them, you can usually catch several before they move on. They hit hard, make long runs, and jump when hooked – everything you want in a gamefish. The fish that make it into New Bern's waters are usually in the 18-28 inch range, perfect for both sport and the dinner table.
This half-day afternoon trip with Eastern Inshore Charters hits all the right notes – experienced captain, quality boat and gear, productive waters, and fish that'll put up a fight. The 4-hour timeframe gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and target different species without feeling rushed. Captain Zachary's local knowledge and customer-focused approach have made this a renowned trip among both visiting anglers and locals who want consistent results. Don't forget to grab your North Carolina fishing license before you head out. With only three spots available per trip, these afternoon sessions fill up fast
This 21-foot Sea Pro SD is your ticket to New Bern's best inshore fishing spots. With a powerful 225 HP Suzuki outboard, she cuts through the water smoothly while you focus on landing redfish, sea trout, and striped bass. The boat comfortably handles up to three anglers with plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Quality electronics help locate productive structure and baitfish, while ample storage keeps your catch fresh and gear organized. Built for the coastal waters around New Bern, this reliable fishing platform gets you to the fish quickly and safely. All the essential safety equipment is on board, so you can concentrate on what matters most - putting fish in the cooler during your afternoon on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the signature species around here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the shallows, with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall is prime time, but they bite year-round in our area. What makes them so popular is that powerful fight; they use their broad shoulders to pull hard and make long runs. They're also great on the table with mild, sweet meat. The trick with reds is being quiet and making long casts. They spook easily in shallow water, so cut your engine well back and use your trolling motor to get within casting range.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable targets, especially in the grass flats and shallow creek mouths. Most fish run 14-20 inches, though we see some beautiful gator trout pushing 24+ inches during cooler months. They love water 2-8 feet deep with good grass coverage, particularly around points and drop-offs. Spring through fall are best, with early morning and evening being prime feeding times. What makes them special is they're scrappy fighters that jump and make good runs, plus they're fantastic eating with that delicate, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in from a distance, and that natural presentation is hard to beat.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches that really put up a fight. You'll find them on sandy bottoms in 3-15 feet of water, especially around structure like oyster bars and creek mouths. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them fun is that strike - they hit hard and fast, then use that flat body to pull drag. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch. Pro tip: when you feel that thump, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first, then turn to swallow it head-first.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the workhorses of our local waters, running anywhere from schoolie size up to 30+ pound bulls. These silver-sided fighters love structure - you'll find them around bridges, jetties, and drop-offs in 10-30 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is their fighting ability - they make long runs and really test your drag system. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with that clean, flaky white meat. The key around here is watching your electronics for baitfish schools. Where you see the bait stacked up, especially near current breaks or structure changes, that's where the stripers will be hunting.
undefined, undefined