Half Day Night Fishing for Redfish and Trout
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour night fishing trip targeting redfish and troutBeginner-friendly instruction with artificial lures under dock lightsSmall group setting with maximum four guests per trip
There's something magical about fishing under the lights at night in Morehead City, and Captain Jason's beginner-friendly trip is your perfect introduction to this world-class angling experience. This top-rated 4-hour adventure takes you to productive dock lights where redfish and sea trout come alive after dark. You'll learn the basics of inshore night fishing while targeting two of North Carolina's most popular gamefish in a relaxed, small-group setting that keeps things fun and educational.
Captain Jason keeps things simple and stress-free on these evening trips. You'll launch from Morehead City's waters and head to his favorite dock light spots where the action really heats up after sunset. The boat accommodates just 4 anglers, so you get plenty of personal attention and hands-on instruction. The calm evening atmosphere makes this trip ideal for families, couples, or anyone who's been thinking about trying their hand at saltwater fishing. You won't need any previous experience – Captain Jason walks you through everything from casting basics to fighting fish. The gentle evening breeze and cooler temperatures create perfect conditions for learning, and the dock lights attract baitfish that draw in hungry predators. Most guests are surprised at how quickly they pick up the techniques and start hooking fish.
This trip focuses on artificial lure fishing, which is perfect for beginners since you don't have to worry about messy live bait or complicated rigs. Captain Jason provides all the gear, including light spinning tackle that's easy to handle and makes every fish feel like a trophy. You'll learn to work soft plastics, paddle tails, and topwater plugs around the illuminated areas where gamefish hunt. The technique is straightforward – cast near the lights, let your lure sink, then retrieve with a steady or twitching motion. The dock lights create underwater buffets that concentrate baitfish, and predators cruise these areas looking for easy meals. Captain Jason shows you how to read the water, identify feeding signs, and place your lures in the strike zone. The artificial approach also means you can cover more water and target different depths throughout the evening as fish move and feed.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of night fishing around Morehead City's dock lights. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches in these waters and absolutely love feeding under the lights after dark. They're aggressive biters that hit artificial lures with authority, making them perfect for beginners who want to feel that satisfying hookset. Sea trout have excellent eyesight and use the artificial lighting to ambush prey, so they're actively feeding and relatively easy to locate. Spring through fall offers the best action, with summer nights producing consistent catches. What makes trout so appealing to new anglers is their willingness to bite and their spirited fight on light tackle – they'll make several runs and even jump occasionally.
Redfish bring the real excitement to these night trips. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-sized fish around 20-27 inches up to oversized bulls that'll test your skills and equipment. Reds patrol the dock lights looking for crabs and baitfish, and they're known for their powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. They're sight feeders that hunt effectively under artificial lights, making them prime targets during these evening sessions. Fall and winter months tend to produce the biggest redfish, while spring and summer offer more consistent numbers. What anglers love most about redfish is their fight – they're strong, stubborn, and will use every bit of cover available to try and break you off. Landing your first red on light tackle is a rush you won't forget.
Captain Jason's beginner-friendly night fishing trip offers everything you need for a successful introduction to inshore angling. The small group size ensures personalized instruction, the evening timing provides comfortable conditions, and the dock light fishing puts you where the action is. You'll leave with new skills, great memories, and likely a few fish stories to share. The 4-hour duration is perfect for beginners – long enough to really learn the techniques but not so long that you get overwhelmed or tired. Whether you're looking to try something new, introduce kids to fishing, or just enjoy a peaceful evening on the water, this customer favorite delivers exactly what you're hoping for. Book your spot now and discover why night fishing under the lights has become one of Morehead City's most popular angling experiences.
Your night fishing adventure starts aboard a sharp 2022 KenCraft Bay boat that's built for serious inshore action. This 21-footer handles Morehead City's waters like a dream with its reliable 150HP Yamaha pushing you to fishing spots at up to 38 knots. The center console design gives everyone room to move around while you're working the lines. Captain Jason's boat comes loaded with everything you need to find and catch those redfish and trout lurking under dock lights. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating your targets, while GPS keeps you on course in the dark. When it's time to get sneaky around structure, the wireless trolling motor lets you glide in silently without spooking fish. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of elbow room for casting and fighting fish. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites, though once those reds start hitting your artificials, you won't need any other entertainment. This boat's perfect for learning the ropes of night fishing - stable, well-equipped, and designed to get beginners comfortable on the water while chasing some of North Carolina's best inshore species.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese copper-colored bruisers are what dreams are made of. You'll spot them by that distinctive black spot near the tail and their reddish backs. Around Morehead City, they typically run 20-35 inches, but we occasionally hook into some real bulls. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Night fishing under dock lights gets them fired up, and they'll crush topwater lures with explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the dinner table. What guests love most is their strong fight - they'll make long runs and really test your drag. Pro tip: when you see one tailing in the shallows, cast past it and work your lure back slowly. They spook easy but strike hard.
Salmo TruttaAlso called speckled trout, these silvery beauties with dark spots run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds around here. They love shallow grass flats and hang around dock lights at night, which is perfect for our trips. Night fishing really brings them alive - they get aggressive and feed heavily after sunset. What makes them special is their light, flaky white meat that's absolutely delicious when cooked right. They fight well for their size and are great for beginners since they're pretty cooperative once hooked. My local trick? Use a soft plastic shrimp under those dock lights and work it slow along the bottom. They can't resist it, especially on the incoming tide when baitfish get pushed up into the shallows.
Morehead City