Bull Redfish Action in Morehead City
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target bull redfish with artificial lures in shallow watersFivehour inshore trip accommodates up to four guestsExpert captain guidance suitable for all skill levels
There's nothing quite like the pull of a bull redfish on light tackle in shallow water. Captain Jason knows these Crystal Coast waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously impressive drum. This 5-hour half-day trip targets trophy-sized redfish using artificial lures, giving you that heart-pounding action these powerful fish are famous for. We're talking about fish that can go 30+ pounds and will test every bit of your skill and stamina. Whether you're new to inshore fishing or you've been chasing reds for years, this trip delivers the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for seasons to come.
Captain Jason runs a tight ship that accommodates up to 4 anglers, so you're getting personalized attention without feeling crowded. We launch from Morehead City and head to the productive shallow flats and structure where these bull reds love to cruise. The beauty of this fishery is that you're sight-fishing a lot of the time – spotting those copper-colored backs and black spots as they patrol the shallows. The boat stays in skinny water, often just 2-6 feet deep, which makes every hookup that much more exciting. You'll be casting artificial lures like spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Captain Jason provides all the tackle you need, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. The 5-hour window gives us plenty of time to work multiple spots and adjust our strategy based on tides, weather, and fish behavior.
Artificial lure fishing for bull redfish is an art form, and Captain Jason has it dialed in. We're primarily throwing gold spoons, paddle-tail soft plastics on jig heads, and when conditions are right, topwater plugs that create explosive surface strikes. The key is matching your retrieve to the fish's mood – sometimes they want a slow, steady wobble along the bottom, other times they'll crush a fast-moving spoon ripped through the water column. You'll learn to read the water, watch for nervous baitfish, and position your casts to intercept cruising reds. The shallow water means you need to be accurate with your casts and ready for that initial run when a big bull decides your lure looks like dinner. These fish can strip 50-100 yards of line on that first run, so having your drag set properly and keeping steady pressure is crucial. Captain Jason will coach you through every step, from the hookset to the landing.
The Morehead City area has been producing some monster redfish, with bulls ranging from 25 to 45 pounds showing up consistently in the shallows. Spanish mackerel have been thick during their seasonal runs, providing fast action on light tackle when the reds are being finicky. Bluefish schools move through regularly, offering aggressive topwater action that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. Summer flounder have been holding on structure and drop-offs, with some quality doormat-sized fish hitting the deck. Sea trout fishing has been solid in the grass beds and around oyster bars, especially during moving tides. The variety keeps things interesting – you might start the day targeting reds and end up into a mixed bag of species that keeps everyone busy. Captain Jason adjusts tactics based on seasonal patterns and current conditions to maximize your chances at multiple species.
Redfish are the star of this show, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs can live over 40 years and reach massive sizes in North Carolina waters. Bull reds are typically fish over 27 inches, often much larger, and they're pure muscle. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, with summer months producing the most consistent action in shallow water. What makes them special is their willingness to eat artificials and their incredible fighting ability in skinny water where they can use their broad tails for maximum leverage.
Spanish mackerel bring speed and excitement to the mix. These silver bullets show up in spring and fall migrations, often in massive schools that create feeding frenzies. They'll hit fast-moving spoons and small jigs with aggressive strikes, and their razor-sharp teeth mean you need wire leaders. They typically run 1-3 pounds but make up for size with sheer numbers and acrobatic fights.
Bluefish are the aggressive bullies of the inshore waters. They travel in schools and attack baitfish with reckless abandon, creating opportunities for explosive topwater fishing. Blues can range from snapper-sized fish to 10+ pound choppers, and they're not picky about lures. Their sharp teeth and powerful jaws make them exciting opponents on appropriate tackle.
Summer flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for prey to swim by. They require more finesse fishing with soft plastics bounced along the bottom, but landing a 4-6 pound doormat flounder is incredibly rewarding. They're most active during moving tides and can be found around structure, ledges, and channel edges.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are beautiful fish with distinctive spots and canine teeth. They're found in grass beds and around oyster structure, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Trout are excellent on light tackle and provide consistent action when other species are slow. They're particularly active during dawn and dusk periods, making them perfect targets during our 5-hour window.
This top-rated Morehead City fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak redfish season. Captain Jason's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers. The combination of trophy potential, multiple species opportunities, and professional guidance creates the kind of day that keeps people
The 21' KenCraft Bay boat is your ticket to prime redfish waters around Morehead City. This 2022 center console cuts through the shallows with a reliable 150HP Yamaha, hitting speeds up to 38 knots to get you on the fish fast. Built for serious inshore action, she handles beautifully in tight spots where those big bull reds love to hide. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps you on the most productive waters. When stealth matters, the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on feeding fish without spooking them. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites, and with room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lures without crowding. Captain Jason knows exactly where to position this rig for the best shots at trophy redfish. The boat's shallow draft design gets you into those backcountry honey holes where the big bulls cruise. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working structure for mackerel, this KenCraft delivers the performance and reliability you need for a successful day on the water.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive fighters that average 3-10 pounds, though we see some pushing 15-20 pounds during peak season. They roam in large schools from surf zones out to 30-40 feet, hitting bait balls with incredible ferocity - you'll know when you find them. Best action runs from late summer through fall when they're feeding heavily before their southern migration. Anglers love the hard strikes and strong runs, plus smaller blues make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Fair warning though - they have razor-sharp teeth and will bite anything that moves. Here's the key: when you hook one, there's usually a whole school below, so have another rod ready and work fast before they move on.
Sciaenops OcellatusBull redfish are the tanks of shallow water - bronze-colored bruisers that can push 30-50 pounds and give you the fight of a lifetime. Around here, they cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding before and after their spawning runs. What makes them special is that explosive power - once hooked, they'll make runs that'll test your drag and your arms. Plus, slot-size fish are fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. My best advice: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then make a quiet approach and drop your lure well ahead of them - spook a red and the game's over.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful fish with distinctive black spots, usually running 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds in our waters. They love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Peak action happens from spring through fall, with early morning and evening being prime time. What draws anglers is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive strike at dawn. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat that's perfect fried or blackened. One trick that works great here: fish live shrimp under a popping cork around grass beds during moving water. The cork creates noise and keeps your bait in the strike zone where these fish cruise looking for an easy meal.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver speedsters that run 1-2 feet long and typically weigh 2-8 pounds around here. You'll find them in schools near the surface, especially around structures and drop-offs in 15-40 feet of water. They hit the area hard from late spring through early fall when the water warms up. What makes them fun is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with firm, mild meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. My go-to trick is using small silver spoons or live shrimp on light tackle - when you see birds diving, get your lure in there fast because the bite won't last long.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke," are masters of disguise lying flat on sandy bottoms in 10-50 feet of water. These ambush predators average 15-20 inches but can reach doormat size over 5 pounds. They're most active from late spring through early fall, especially around structure like wrecks, ledges, and channel edges where baitfish gather. What makes them special is the challenge - they're finicky biters that require patience and skill to consistently catch. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean with sweet, flaky white meat. My best tip: use a slow drift with live minnows or squid strips, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around.
Morehead City