Full Day Inshore Fishing Charter Morehead City
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing charter targets seasonal coastal speciesLight tackle and live bait techniques suitable for all experience levelsAll equipment, licensing, and professional mate service included
If you're looking for a solid day of fishing without the long run to the deep water, this full day inshore nearshore charter out of Morehead City hits the sweet spot. From the Bottom Charters runs a top-rated operation that gets you on the fish while keeping things relaxed and fun. Starting at 6am, you'll have a full day to work the productive waters around Cape Lookout and the Crystal Coast, targeting everything from hard-fighting king mackerel to tasty black sea bass. This trip works great for families, first-timers, and seasoned anglers who want to focus on fishing instead of dealing with rough offshore conditions.
Your day kicks off early at the Morehead City waterfront, where you'll meet your captain and professional mate who know these waters like the back of their hand. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers in the base price, with room for 6 total if you've got a bigger crew. You'll be fishing the nearshore structure and inshore grounds using light tackle techniques that put you right in the action. The approach here is all about live bait and bottom fishing - no need for heavy gear or complicated setups. Your mate will handle the rigging and bait, so you can focus on feeling those bites and fighting fish. The boat comes loaded with everything you need: quality rods and reels, tackle, fishing licenses, plenty of ice, and fish boxes to keep your catch fresh. They even welcome your four-legged fishing buddy if you want to bring the dog along for the adventure.
The fishing style on this charter revolves around light tackle bottom fishing and live bait presentation - techniques that are deadly effective in these coastal waters. You'll be working with 20-30 pound class gear that gives you the perfect balance of strength and sensitivity. The mate will rig you up with circle hooks and fresh bait, then help you find the bottom structure where the fish hang out. The key is feeling the bite through your rod tip and knowing when to set the hook. Live bait like shrimp, finger mullet, and menhaden gets presented near reefs, ledges, and artificial structure that holds baitfish and attracts predators. The captain uses his fish finder and GPS to position the boat over productive spots, then it's up to you to work the water column from bottom to surface depending on what's biting.
Spanish mackerel are absolute blast on light tackle and one of the most reliable catches in these waters. These silver rockets typically run 2-4 pounds and hit baits with aggressive strikes that'll wake you up fast. They're most active from late spring through early fall, especially around dawn and dusk when they're feeding on small baitfish near the surface. What makes Spanish mackerel so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite and the way they fight - making long runs and jumping when hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Bluefish bring serious attitude to the fight, and you'll find them throughout the season in varying sizes from small snappers to hefty choppers pushing 10+ pounds. These aggressive predators travel in schools and can turn a slow morning into non-stop action when you find them. They'll hit live bait, cut bait, and even artificial lures with bone-crushing strikes. Bluefish are known for their razor-sharp teeth and never-give-up fighting style that keeps your drag screaming. They're most abundant during spring and fall migrations when massive schools move through the area.
Black sea bass are the bread and butter bottom fish that consistently produce throughout the trip. These chunky fighters typically range from keeper size at 13 inches up to trophy fish over 20 inches and several pounds. They live around hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Sea bass are relatively easy for beginners to catch but still provide good action on light tackle. They're also one of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for any preparation.
King mackerel are the prize catch that can show up any time during the warmer months, bringing world-class fights on light tackle. These pelagic speedsters can range from school-size fish around 10-15 pounds up to monsters over 30 pounds that will test your skills and equipment. Kings are ambush predators that cruise the nearshore waters looking for baitfish schools, and when they hit your bait, you'll know it immediately. Their initial runs are legendary, often taking 100+ yards of line before you can slow them down. The combination of speed, power, and jumping ability makes king mackerel one of the most sought-after species for light tackle anglers.
Atlantic bonito round out the target species list with their football-shaped bodies and surprising strength. These smaller tunas typically weigh 3-8 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, making multiple runs and diving deep when hooked. Bonito are seasonal visitors that show up during cooler months when water temperatures drop, often feeding alongside Spanish mackerel and bluefish. They're prized by anglers who appreciate their sashimi-quality meat and the technical challenge of hooking them on light tackle.
This full day inshore nearshore charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want - consistent action, variety, and the chance at some really nice fish without the expense and rough conditions of offshore fishing. From the Bottom Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish while maintaining a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere that works for everyone from kids to grandparents. The professional crew, quality equipment, and productive fishing grounds around Morehead City make this a customer favorite that books up quickly during peak season. Veterans, first responders, and law enforcement get a well-deserved 10 percent discount, and fish cleaning service is available to take care of your catch. With everything included except your lunch an
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard this well-equipped 27' Boston Whaler Outrage, perfectly suited for Morehead City's productive inshore waters. This center console boat combines comfort with serious fishing capability, featuring outriggers for trolling, modern fish finders to locate your targets, and GPS navigation to hit the best spots. The spacious deck gives you and up to 5 other anglers plenty of room to work, while dual 6-foot fish boxes keep your catch fresh. An onboard icebox handles your drinks and snacks, and the wireless trolling motor lets you approach fish quietly without spooking them. Whether you're targeting seasonal favorites like red drum, flounder, or spotted trout, this boat's setup makes light tackle and live bait fishing both effective and enjoyable. The layout works great for families and first-timers who want a relaxed day on the water, with enough space that everyone can fish comfortably without feeling crowded.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are small but fierce members of the tuna family, typically 3-8 pounds with distinctive black stripes and blazing speed. They school up in open nearshore waters, often feeding on the surface where you'll see birds diving. Fall is prime time when they migrate through chasing baitfish. These fish can hit 40 mph, so the fight's intense for their size - they make long runs and stay strong right to the boat. They're not great table fare compared to other species, but the action more than makes up for it. We catch them trolling small lures fast or casting to surface-feeding schools. The trick is speed - they want lures moving quickly, so don't be afraid to troll 8-10 knots. When you see bird activity on the surface, head over immediately because bonito schools move fast and won't stick around long.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky bottom dwellers that average 1-3 pounds around here, though we see some nice 4-5 pounders on the deeper wrecks. They hang around hard structure - rocks, wrecks, artificial reefs - usually in 30-80 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed. These fish are perfect for families because they bite well on squid strips, cut bait, or small jigs worked near bottom. They're scrappy fighters that make good eating with sweet, white meat. The cool thing about sea bass is they change from female to male as they grow, so the bigger fish are usually males with that pronounced hump on their heads. Best advice: use a two-hook rig with squid strips and fish right on structure. They don't roam much, so if you're not getting bit, move to new spots.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that typically run 2-8 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and serious attitudes. They roam nearshore waters in large schools, hitting surf zones, inlet mouths, and around baitfish concentrations. Summer into early fall is when they're most active here, especially during moving water. These fish attack almost anything - cut bait, live menhaden, metal spoons, or chunks of squid. People love targeting them because they fight hard right up to the boat and provide good action when they're feeding. Just watch those teeth when handling them. The meat's decent if you bleed them quickly and keep them cold, though larger fish can be a bit strong. My tip: when you find a feeding school, work fast with multiple lines because they'll move on quickly. Fresh, oily baits like mullet or menhaden work best.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed merchants of our waters, averaging 15-30 pounds with some reaching 40-plus. They cruise nearshore waters from 40-150 feet, often following bait schools or working temperature breaks. Late spring through fall is peak season when they migrate through our area. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll peel line off your reel like nothing else around here. The fight's memorable, and the meat's excellent when properly handled, though larger fish can be a bit rich. We typically troll live menhaden, cigar minnows, or large spoons in the 6-8 knot range. Key tip: always use wire leaders because their teeth will cut through mono instantly. When you get bit, don't horse them - let them run and wear themselves out. The bigger fish usually stay deeper, so don't be afraid to fish 100+ feet.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, silvery fish that average 1-3 pounds with yellow spots along their sides. They're speed demons that school up in nearshore waters, usually in 15-40 feet around structure or baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time here, especially when water temps hit the 70s. These fish love live shrimp, small minnows, and flashy spoons trolled at decent speeds. What makes them popular is their aggressive strikes and decent table fare - they're great grilled or smoked with that mild, flaky meat. The fight's nothing crazy, but they're consistent and fun for all skill levels. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep working the area because they travel in schools. If you see diving birds, get over there fast - that's usually Spanish Mackerel tearing through baitfish on the surface.
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