Southern Shores 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing charter targeting multiple species near Oregon InletAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included with tripSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests maximum
When you're looking for a solid half-day on the water that won't break the bank or eat up your whole vacation, this 4-hour charter with Flying Fish Charters OBX hits the sweet spot. We'll cruise out into the Pamlico or Albemarle Sound, working the productive waters around Oregon Inlet and west of the bridge where the fish stack up year-round. This isn't some cookie-cutter tourist trip – we're talking real fishing in some of North Carolina's most consistent inshore waters, where you'll actually catch fish instead of just getting a boat ride.
Your day starts at Southern Shores, where we'll get you rigged up and ready before heading out to the hot spots. The beauty of these sounds is they're protected from ocean swells, so even if it's blowing outside, we can usually find calm water and productive fishing. We're targeting the structure and drop-offs around Oregon Inlet – that's where the baitfish hang out, and where the baitfish go, the gamefish follow. You'll be fishing with a small group of just 4 anglers max, so there's plenty of room to spread out and no elbow-to-elbow combat like you get on those packed party boats. All your gear, bait, and licenses are handled, so just show up ready to fish. We provide everything from rods and reels to tackle and fresh bait, plus we'll clean your catch at the end of the day.
We're primarily bottom fishing these waters, which means dropping baited rigs down to where the fish are feeding along the structure. The technique is straightforward but effective – we'll anchor up on productive spots and let the current carry our baits into the strike zone. You'll be using circle hooks with fresh shrimp, cut bait, or whatever's working that day. The key is feeling for that subtle tap-tap-tap of a croaker or the solid thump of a drum picking up your bait. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – our guides will walk you through reading your rod tip and setting the hook properly. The gear we use is perfectly matched to these waters, with medium-action rods that let you feel every bite but have enough backbone to handle the bigger drum and stripers that cruise through here.
Atlantic Croaker are the bread and butter of these waters, especially during the warmer months from late spring through fall. These guys are chatty – you'll actually hear them croaking in the fish box after you catch them. They typically run 10-14 inches here and bite consistently on shrimp and bloodworms. What makes croaker so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare. They school up heavily around structure, so when you find them, you'll often catch them two at a time.
Redfish, or puppy drum as the locals call the smaller ones, are one of the most sought-after species in these sounds. They range from schoolie-sized fish around 18-24 inches up to bull reds that can stretch over 40 inches. Spring and fall see the best action, when they're feeding aggressively in the shallows and around the inlet. These copper-colored fighters put up a great scrap and are picture-perfect with their distinctive black spot near the tail. The slot-sized fish make excellent eating, while the big bulls are usually catch-and-release.
Speckled Trout are the glamour species of inshore fishing, with their beautiful spotted flanks and impressive teeth. They're most active during the cooler months, from fall through early spring, when they move into the deeper holes and channels. A good speck will run 15-20 inches, though the occasional gator trout over 25 inches shows up to make your day. They're finicky feeders that require a delicate touch, but their sweet, flaky meat makes them worth the effort.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of the sounds, with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. They're structure huggers that love to hang around pilings, rocks, and wrecks, where they pick off barnacles and crabs. These guys are notorious bait thieves – you'll feel a little peck-peck-peck as they try to steal your shrimp without getting hooked. When you do connect with a good sheepshead, they're bulldogs that will try to wrap you around whatever structure they can find.
Tautog, or blackfish, are the bulldozers of the bottom. These thick-bodied fish love hard structure and have powerful jaws that can crack open crabs and mussels with ease. They're most active during the cooler months, making them a prime target for fall and winter fishing. A good-sized tog will go 3-5 pounds, with the occasional doormat pushing 8-10 pounds. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilled whole.
Striped Bass, known locally as rockfish, are the apex predators of these waters. While we're primarily bottom fishing, stripers will often pick up baits intended for other species. They can range from schoolie bass around 18-20 inches up to cows pushing 30 inches or more. These fish are pure muscle and will test your drag system with long, powerful runs. The slot-sized fish are fantastic eating, while the big breeders are carefully released to keep the population strong.
Bluefish are the aggressive attackers of the sound, known for their razor-sharp teeth and ferocious appetite. They travel in schools and when they're feeding, the action can be non-stop. Blues typically run 2-8 pounds in these waters, and they'll hit just about any bait you put in front of them. They're oily fish that are best when cooked fresh, an
This 23-foot Sea Hunt center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Southern Shores. The 225HP Yamaha pushes you quickly to the best spots in Pamlico and Albemarle sounds, while the fish finder helps locate those bottom-dwelling croaker and sheepshead hiding near structure. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for working the waters around Oregon Inlet where speckled trout and puppy drum cruise the shallows. GPS keeps you on productive spots, and the onboard head means more time with lines in the water. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out when the tautog bite heats up. The shallow draft lets you slip into backwater areas where bigger fish often lurk, making this the ideal platform for targeting North Carolina's diverse inshore species.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our fishery, ranging from schoolie size up to 30+ pound cows during their spring and fall migrations. These silver fighters with distinctive black stripes love current breaks, drop-offs, and structure in 15-50 feet of water. Prime time is spring when they're heading north and fall when they're chasing baitfish south. They're powerful fighters that make long runs and have excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Stripers are structure-oriented and follow baitfish, so we target them around bridges, inlet mouths, and channel edges. Local secret: watch for birds working bait schools - when you see diving pelicans and terns, the stripers are usually underneath feeding. Fresh cut bait works best in our waters.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of the wrasse family, typically running 2-6 pounds with thick bodies and powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish. These mottled brown fighters love rocky structure, jetties, and pilings where they feed on crabs and mussels. Best fishing is fall through early spring when they're most active. Tautog are incredibly strong for their size - they'll try to wrap you around structure the second they feel the hook. The meat is sweet and firm, making them excellent table fare. They're notorious bait thieves, so stay sharp and set the hook at the slightest tap. My go-to trick: use fresh green crab on a small hook, keep it tight to the bottom, and be ready to horse them away from the rocks immediately.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese convict-striped fish are famous for their human-like teeth and reputation as master bait thieves. Most run 2-5 pounds, though we occasionally see 8+ pounders around deeper structure. Sheepshead love barnacle-covered pilings, docks, and jetties where they scrape off their favorite food. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up around inlets and bridges. They're arguably the best eating fish we catch - sweet, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. The challenge is their light bite and quick mouth - they'll steal bait faster than you can blink. Pro tip: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crab, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook hard the instant you feel weight.
Pogonias CromisThese massive members of the drum family can range from 5-30 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 50+ pounds. Black drum prefer shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and brackish areas where they use their powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're incredible fighters - picture a freight train with fins. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating with sweet, firm meat, while the big bulls are better released. You'll hear them "drumming" when they're feeding. Best bet is fresh blue crab or clam on the bottom with heavy tackle. Watch your rod tip closely - they'll pick up bait and swim off before you know it.
Micropogonias UndulatusCroakers are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing trips, usually running 10-16 inches and making that distinctive croaking sound when you bring them up. These silvery fish with brown spots love muddy bottoms in 15-30 feet of water, especially around channels and deeper holes. They're active spring through fall, with peak action around tide changes. Great for beginners since they bite readily and are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. They use those little barbels under their chin to root around for worms and small crabs. Here's a local trick: look for small holes in the mud at low tide and pump out ghost shrimp - nothing beats fresh shrimp for croaker bait, and they'll often school up once you get one.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum as we call the bigger ones, are copper-colored fighters known for that distinctive black eyespot near their tail. Most run 18-27 inches (slot size), though we catch plenty of oversized drum in deeper water that we release. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 2-6 feet of water, often with their backs showing. Spring and fall offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. These fish are pure muscle - expect drag-screaming runs and bulldogging fights. The slot fish are excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. Around here, live or cut blue crab is dynamite, especially on the flood tide when they're pushing onto the flats to feed on fiddlers and small crabs.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that show up around Oregon Inlet from late spring through fall, usually running 3-12 pounds with occasional larger ones. These silver-blue fighters have razor-sharp teeth and will attack schools of baitfish in feeding frenzies that churn the water white. You'll find them in 10-40 feet of water, often following bait schools near structure or current breaks. They hit hard and fight dirty - expect screaming runs and headshakes. Blues are excellent eating when handled right, with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: use a wire leader and cut bait like mullet chunks. When you see birds diving or water boiling with baitfish, get there fast - the blitz won't last long but the action will be non-stop.
Manteo, NC, United States