Full Day Inshore Nearshore Morehead City Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing charter accommodates up to 6 anglers.Light tackle bottom fishing targets seasonal coastal species near Morehead City.All equipment, licensing, and professional mate services included onboard.
There's something special about hitting the water at first light in Morehead City, when the fog's still lifting off the sound and the fish are just waking up. This full-day charter with From the Bottom Charters gets you out there right at 6am, putting you in prime position to make the most of North Carolina's world-class inshore and nearshore fishery. You'll spend the day working the productive waters around Bogue Sound, Cape Lookout, and the nearshore wrecks that hold some serious fish. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on the bite whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet.
This trip is built for up to four anglers, though they can squeeze in six if your group's willing to get cozy and pay the extra per-person fee. The vibe here is relaxed but focused – perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, or groups of friends looking to load the cooler without all the pressure. You'll be fishing with light tackle that's forgiving for beginners but still sporty enough to give experienced anglers a good fight. The boat comes stocked with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, bait, ice, and those essential fish boxes to keep your catch fresh. They've even got you covered on the fishing license, so all you need to bring is yourself, some snacks, and maybe a cooler for drinks. Fair warning though – if you want your fish cleaned and filleted, that's an extra charge, but totally worth it if you don't feel like dealing with the mess back at the dock.
The go-to method here is light tackle bottom fishing with live bait, which is honestly one of the most productive ways to target multiple species in these waters. You'll be dropping Carolina rigs and fish finder rigs down to structure – think oyster beds, rock piles, and nearshore ledges where the baitfish congregate and the predators follow. The crew uses circle hooks to keep things conservation-minded, and the live bait spread typically includes shrimp, cut mullet, and whatever baitfish are running thick that day. The beauty of this approach is its versatility. One minute you might be pulling up a chunky black sea bass from 30 feet, and the next you're watching your drag scream as a king mackerel makes its first run. The light tackle keeps things sporting – nothing over 20-pound test usually – so even smaller fish put up a respectable fight, and the bigger ones will absolutely test your skills.
Spanish mackerel are the bread and butter of Morehead City fishing, especially from late spring through early fall. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit with authority, making blistering runs that'll have your drag singing. They're suckers for live shrimp and small spoons, and when you find a school, you can literally catch them until your arms give out. What makes Spanish mackerel special here is their sheer numbers – it's not uncommon to boat 20 or 30 in a good morning, and they make excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Bluefish earn their reputation as one of the scrappiest fighters in these waters, with the local population ranging from snapper blues around a pound up to chopper blues pushing 8-10 pounds. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit just about anything you put in front of them, but they really go wild for cut mullet and live menhaden. Blues are active year-round in Morehead City waters, though the bigger fish typically show up in cooler months. Fair warning – these guys have serious teeth, so the crew will have wire leaders ready to prevent bite-offs.
Black sea bass might not be the flashiest catch, but they're absolute gems for the dinner table and surprisingly fun on light tackle. The local population includes plenty of keeper-sized fish in the 12-16 inch range, with some real doormat bass pushing 3-4 pounds lurking around the deeper structure. They're bottom dwellers that love oyster beds, rock piles, and artificial reefs, making them perfect targets for the bottom fishing approach. Sea bass season has specific regulations, so the crew stays on top of the current rules to keep everything legal and sustainable.
King mackerel represent the real trophy potential on this trip, with nearshore waters holding fish from 15 pounds up to legitimate 30-40 pound smoker kings. These apex predators patrol the edges of the Gulf Stream influence, ambushing schools of menhaden, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish. When a king hits your live bait, there's no mistaking it – the initial run can peel off 100 yards of line before you know what happened. Late summer and early fall are prime time for kings, when they move inshore to feed heavily before their winter migration.
Atlantic bonito might be the most underrated gamefish in North Carolina waters. These compact, tuna-like predators typically run 3-8 pounds but fight way above their weight class, making multiple blazing runs and testing every knot on your rig. They show up in good numbers during spring and fall migrations, often mixed in with Spanish mackerel schools. Bonito are incredibly fast swimmers with razor-sharp eyesight, so presentations need to be spot-on. When you hook one, you'll quickly understand why they're a customer favorite – pure, unfiltered speed and power in a beautiful package.
This full-day charter offers serious value for groups looking to experience the best of Morehead City's fishing scene. From the Bottom Charters runs a top-rated operation with experienced crew, well-maintained equipment, and the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. The 6am start time puts you in prime fishing territory
Jump aboard this 27' Boston Whaler Outrage center console, your floating command center for chasing fish around Morehead City's productive waters. Built tough for both comfort and performance, this spacious rig handles up to 6 anglers with room to move around the deck without bumping elbows. The boat comes loaded with outriggers for spreading your lines, modern fish-finding electronics to locate the bite, and oversized fish boxes to store your catch. An icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long fights, while the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into fishing spots without spooking the fish. GPS navigation keeps you on the productive grounds, and the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Perfect setup for families and first-timers wanting a relaxed day targeting whatever's biting in these coastal waters using light tackle and live bait techniques.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are mini-torpedoes that school in large numbers, typically running 3-8 pounds and reaching speeds up to 40 mph. They're silver with distinctive black stripes and swim with dorsal fins cutting the surface like small sharks. These pelagic speedsters roam open water but push inshore chasing bait during warmer months. Fall migration brings the best action when they're actively feeding. Guests enjoy their aggressive surface strikes and strong runs on light tackle, plus they're great practice for bigger tuna. While not prized for eating here, they're pure fun to catch. When you spot diving birds over bait balls, get there quick with small metal lures or plastics. Key tip: once you find a feeding school, work them fast with anything shiny retrieved at high speed - they're not picky when feeding.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, tasty bottom dwellers that average 1-3 pounds, with some reaching 5+ pounds. Males turn bright blue during spawning and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. These fish love hard structure - wrecks, rocks, pilings - in 20-100 feet of water. Peak season runs late spring through summer when they move inshore to spawn. What makes them favorites is their willingness to bite and outstanding table quality - firm, white, sweet meat that's hard to beat. They fight well for their size, making strong runs toward structure. You'll catch them on squid, cut bait, or small jigs bounced on bottom. Local trick: once you hook one, stay put and work that spot thoroughly. Sea bass are social fish, so where there's one, there's usually more hiding below.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that average 2-8 pounds in our waters, though we see some 10+ pounders. They're built for speed with powerful jaws full of razor teeth - handle with care! You'll find them around structure, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish gather, from surf zones to 60 feet offshore. Prime time is late spring through early fall when they're actively feeding. What guests love is their ferocious strike and strong fight - they'll bend your rod and strip line fast. The meat is decent when fresh, especially smaller fish. Once you locate a feeding school, they'll hit almost anything - spoons, plugs, or cut bait. Pro tip: when blues are in a feeding frenzy, throw something shiny and retrieve it fast. Just watch your fingers when unhooking!
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the speed merchants of our waters, averaging 15-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds. These silver bullets with razor teeth can hit 40 mph and will test your drag system hard. Look for them around structure, temperature breaks, and live bottom in 40-150 feet of water. Best fishing runs late spring through early fall when water temps hit the upper 60s and 70s. What draws anglers is their blistering runs and aerial displays - pure adrenaline on medium tackle. The meat's good smoked or grilled, though watch mercury levels. They're ambush predators that love live bait like menhaden or bluefish. Essential tip: always use wire leaders and rig with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind. Kings often attack from the rear and those teeth will cut mono instantly.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast-moving silver beauties with yellowish spots that typically run 1-2 feet and weigh 2-4 pounds around here. They're speed demons, hitting 18 mph when chasing baitfish like menhaden and sardines. You'll find them in schools near the surface from late spring through fall, especially around structure and drop-offs in 15-40 feet of water. What makes them popular is their aggressive strike on light tackle and excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. They put up a solid scrap for their size with quick runs and jumps. Best tip: when you see diving birds working bait, get there fast with small spoons or live shrimp. These fish move constantly, so once you hook up, work the school hard before they disappear.
undefined, undefined