Half Day & Full Day Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead, and Flounder on inshore watersAll fishing equipment provided for groups up to three guestsHalf or full day options available with experienced local guides
Ready to get your lines wet and feel that rod bend with some serious fish? Falling Tide Fishing Adventures serves up the kind of inshore action that keeps families talking for months. Whether you're looking to fill a cooler or just want to watch the kids light up when they hook their first redfish, this trip delivers. We're talking about prime inshore waters where the fish are hungry and the action stays hot from sunrise to sunset. Pack your appetite for adventure and leave the tackle worries to us – we've got you covered with everything you need to make this a day to remember.
This isn't your typical fishing trip where you spend more time untangling lines than actually fishing. With a max of three anglers, you get the personal attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories or going home with fish. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading the tides and structure to put you on the best spots. The boat's rigged with quality gear that won't let you down when that bull redfish decides to make a run for the deep water. Half-day trips give you a solid taste of what these waters offer, while full-day adventures let you really dial in on different species as conditions change throughout the day. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one cast might bring up a feisty trout, the next could have you battling a stubborn sheepshead around the pilings.
We fish smart here, not just hard. Live bait and artificials both have their place depending on what's working and what we're targeting. Shrimp under popping corks for trout, cut bait on the bottom for sheepshead, and topwater plugs when the reds are cruising shallow – your guide switches up tactics based on what the fish are telling us. The rods are matched to the quarry, with enough backbone to handle big fish but sensitive enough to feel those subtle bites. Circle hooks keep fish healthy for release, and we've got the net skills to boat everything from slot reds to keeper flounder. Structure fishing around docks, oyster bars, and grass flats requires different approaches, and that's where experience pays off. Your captain positions the boat to give everyone the best shot while working the tide and wind to our advantage.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers never disappoint. They're year-round residents that love shallow water, oyster bars, and grass flats. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-sized keepers to bull reds that'll test your drag system. What makes reds special is their attitude – they eat aggressively and fight dirty, using their broad sides to pull hard in the current. Watch for that telltale bronze flash and black spot near the tail when you bring one boatside.
Sea trout provide consistent action and some of the best eating you'll find inshore. These spotted beauties roam grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. Summer months bring the biggest gator trout, while fall and winter offer steady action with smaller fish. They're suckers for live shrimp under corks and soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. The subtle bite requires attention, but once hooked, trout make beautiful jumps and provide great sport on light tackle.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, but they're guilty of being some of the craftiest fish in the water. These bait thieves hang around structure like docks, bridges, and oyster bars year-round, with peak action in cooler months. Fiddler crabs and shrimp are their weakness, but you need quick reflexes and sharp hooks. Their crushing bite can snap light leaders, and their bulldogging fight style makes every hookup a battle. The reward is some of the finest table fare in the Gulf.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying buried in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish love channel edges, grass flats, and areas where current creates feeding opportunities. Fall migration brings the biggest fish as they head to deeper water for spawning. Live finger mullet or mud minnows worked slowly along the bottom produce the best results. Don't let their flat profile fool you – flounder fight with surprising strength and their distinctive appearance makes every catch photo-worthy.
Summer flounder, also called fluke, share habitat with their southern cousins but typically show up in slightly different areas and seasons. These aggressive feeders respond well to moving baits and artificials, making them exciting targets for anglers who like active fishing techniques. Their larger mouths and more aggressive nature compared to southern flounder make them a favorite among guides and guests alike.
The fish are biting, the weather's cooperating, and your calendar's calling for some serious fishing time. This top-rated inshore adventure gives you everything needed for success – experienced guidance, quality tackle, and access to productive waters where multiple species keep the action steady. Whether you choose a half-day sampler or commit to a full-day fish-fest, you're booking more than just a fishing trip. You're securing a chance to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with what makes fishing special. The boat only holds three anglers, so popular dates fill fast. Don't let this world-class inshore opportunity slip away – book with Falling Tide Fishing Adventures and get ready to see why anglers keep coming back to these productive waters season after season.
Our 3-person motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing action. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when sneaking up on those redfish and trout hiding in shallow water. No need to worry about spooking the fish when you're working the flats. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating your targets, while GPS keeps you on track to the best fishing spots. Everything stays cold in the onboard ice box, perfect for your catch and those drinks you'll want after reeling in sheepshead and flounder all day. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining during travel time between fishing holes. This setup handles both half and full day trips, giving you plenty of room to move around while casting. All fishing gear is provided, so just focus on having fun and filling the cooler with whatever's biting your hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers that make our trips memorable. These red-backed beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 28-33 inches, but we target everything from schooling fish to 40+ inch bulls. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are prime when they school up in the shallows. What guests love most is watching these fish crush topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline. They're also fantastic eating with firm, slightly sweet meat. The secret is staying quiet, making long casts, and working your lure slowly. When you see that wake coming at your bait, resist setting the hook until you feel the weight.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots that make them easy to identify. These torpedo-shaped fighters typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though larger ones surprise us regularly. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and sandy bottoms, especially at night when they move up to feed. Cooler months are productive, but they bite year-round in the right conditions. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The key is not overcooking them since the meat is tender. My go-to technique is working shallow grass flats with topwater plugs at dawn and dusk, or drifting live shrimp under popping corks during the day.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth. These structure-loving fish hang around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered pilings where they crunch on crabs and shellfish. Most range 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we occasionally see 20-pounders. Spring months from February through April are peak season when they're spawning around structures. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with incredible bite detection, but once hooked, they put up a solid fight. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard and fast.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish live on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly with their surroundings. You'll typically catch them ranging from 15-18 inches, though some reach over 30 inches. What makes them special is having both eyes on their left side and their ability to change colors like chameleons. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in the bottom waiting for prey. Best fishing is during cooler months when they move into shallower waters. Guests love them because they're sneaky fighters and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use live bull minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig and fish right on the bottom - when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook since they like to steal bait.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or "fluke," are some of the most fun flatfish you'll target on our trips. These chameleons of the sea change colors to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but we regularly see fish pushing 26 pounds. They're aggressive ambush predators that live on sandy bottoms in shallow to moderate depths. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What guests love most is their powerful fight - they pull hard and make long runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with fluke is using circle hooks and hooking your baitfish through the eyes for smaller ones, lips for larger ones. When you feel them picking at your bait, give them a moment to fully commit before setting the hook.
Wilmington, NC