Half Day Morning Fishing in New Bern, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning trip targeting redfish, sea trout, and striped bassCaptain provides all equipment and electronics on 21foot Sea ProSmall group experience accommodates up to three guests maximum
Picture this: it's 6:30 AM and you're casting lines into some of North Carolina's most productive inshore waters with Captain Zachary, who knows every creek, channel, and grass flat around New Bern like the back of his hand. This half-day morning trip gives you four solid hours to target the area's top-rated species - redfish, sea trout, flounder, and striped bass - without burning your whole day on the water. You'll fish from a well-equipped 21' Sea Pro SD that's built for comfort and performance, with room for up to three anglers. All your gear is provided, so just grab your cooler, sunscreen, and fishing license, then meet at 1309 Country Club Rd for what locals consider one of the best morning bites in eastern North Carolina.
Captain Zachary runs a relaxed operation that's perfect for both seasoned anglers and folks just getting their feet wet in saltwater fishing. The morning start time puts you right in the sweet spot when fish are actively feeding, and the 21' Sea Pro gives you the stability and space to fish comfortably without feeling cramped. You'll have access to quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait - everything rigged and ready so you can focus on fishing instead of fiddling with gear. The boat's electronics help locate structure and schools of baitfish, which is where you'll find the predators lurking. Expect to cover different types of water throughout the trip, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where stripers patrol. The captain adapts to conditions and what's biting, so no two trips are exactly alike. Whether you're a fly fishing enthusiast wanting to sight-cast reds or prefer chunking live bait for whatever's hungry, there's flexibility to fish your style while learning new techniques.
The beauty of New Bern's inshore fishing lies in the variety of techniques that produce fish year-round. You'll likely start with live or cut bait fishing around structure - docks, oyster bars, and channel edges where fish ambush prey. Captain Zachary keeps the boat stocked with circle hooks, egg sinkers, and the terminal tackle needed for bottom fishing, plus lighter setups for working artificial lures through the water column. Depending on conditions and target species, you might drift fish over grass beds, anchor up on productive spots, or make strategic moves to stay on active schools. The boat's shallow draft allows access to backwater areas where big redfish patrol skinny flats, while the reliable motor gets you to offshore structure when stripers are schooling. Spinning gear handles most situations, but if you want to throw topwater plugs at daybreak or work soft plastics through oyster bars, the captain can set you up with the right rod action and line weight. The key is reading water conditions, tide movement, and fish behavior - skills you'll pick up throughout the morning while putting fish in the box.
Redfish are the crown jewel of New Bern's inshore fishing scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in local waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish that pull drag and make impressive runs. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some true giants in deeper holes. What makes reds special is their aggressive feeding behavior and willingness to eat everything from live shrimp to cut mullet to flashy spoons. You'll find them tailing in shallow water during moving tides, cruising oyster bars, and schooling around structure. The fight is what hooks most anglers - that initial bulldogging run followed by determined circles that test your drag and patience.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, represent some of the area's most reliable action and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches around New Bern, with occasional "gator trout" pushing the 24-inch mark. They're most active during cooler months when they move into deeper channels and holes, though spring and fall provide consistent catching in grass beds and around structure. Specks have a soft mouth, so light drag and steady pressure are key to landing them successfully. They're suckers for live shrimp under popping corks, soft plastic jigs, and topwater plugs during low-light periods. What anglers love most is their predictable nature - find the right depth and structure combination, and you can often catch limits of keeper-sized fish.
Southern flounder add an element of finesse fishing that challenges even experienced anglers. These flatfish masters of camouflage typically measure 15-22 inches in local waters, with fall producing the largest "doormat" flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning migration. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique since they often mouth bait softly before committing to a full bite. Live finger mullet, mud minnows, and gulp baits fished near bottom structure produce the most consistent results. The excitement comes from their unpredictable nature - you might catch three in quick succession or work for hours between bites. When you finally connect with a quality flounder, that flat-sided fight and anticipation of fresh fish dinner makes every minute worthwhile.
Striped bass bring the power fishing element to New Bern's inshore scene, especially during their spring and fall migration periods. Local stripers range from schoolie-sized fish around 18 inches up to cow rockfish exceeding 30 inches and 15 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that relate to channel edges, bridge pilings, and deep holes where current concentrates baitfish. Live eels, cut bait, and large soft plastics trigger strikes from bigger fish, while smaller lures work well on schooling bass. What makes striper fishing addictive is their raw power and the challenge of locating fish that might be scattered across miles of water. When you hook a quality rockfish in current, you'll understand why they're considered one
Hit the productive waters around New Bern aboard this well-rigged 21' Sea Pro SD that's built for serious fishing. The reliable 225 HP Suzuki gets you to the hot spots quickly while the quality electronics keep you on the fish. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space to work the waters for redfish, sea trout, flounder, and striped bass without feeling cramped. The boat comes loaded with all the fishing gear you need, plus ample storage for your catch and personal items. Safety equipment is onboard and the setup is perfect for both seasoned anglers and those new to inshore fishing. Captain Zachary knows these local waters and will put you on the fish whether you're casting along grass lines or working structure for that keeper bass.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing around New Bern. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near their tail. They love super shallow water - oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where you'll sometimes see their backs out of water. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall are prime when they're schooled up and aggressive. What guests love is their bulldogging fight and how they'll make long runs in shallow water. Plus they're beautiful fish and excellent eating. They're also sight-fishing opportunities when conditions are right. Here's the key: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during high tide. Use topwater plugs or soft plastics, but keep it quiet - these fish spook easily in shallow water. Cast past them and work your lure back through their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter fish around New Bern - reliable, fun to catch, and great on the table. Most run 14-20 inches, with those distinctive spots along their silver sides. They love grass flats, shallow creek mouths, and areas with good current flow, usually in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are best, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for beginners since they bite consistently. My go-to tip: work soft plastics like shrimp imitations slowly along grass edges during incoming tide. The key is keeping your bait just off the bottom and being patient - specks will often follow before committing to the bite.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are unique flatfish that'll give you something different on our New Bern waters. These masters of disguise bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches in deeper holes. They love structure - creek mouths, channel edges, and around docks where current brings food. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What makes them special is watching them materialize from what looked like empty bottom, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: fish slow with live mud minnows or shrimp near the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are one of our most reliable and exciting targets around New Bern. These silver-sided fighters typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, with those distinctive dark stripes making them easy to identify. They love structure - around bridge pilings, creek mouths, and channel drop-offs where baitfish get pushed by current. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is their strong fights and how they pull drag, plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. They're also pretty predictable once you learn their patterns. Here's what works: focus on moving water during tide changes, especially around dawn and dusk. Live bait works great, but don't overlook topwater plugs when you see birds working - that surface action is hard to beat.
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