Private 6 Hour Inshore And Nearshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private charter targets multiple Carolina coast speciesCombines inshore casting with nearshore wreck fishing opportunitiesAccommodates up to four guests with experienced local guides
There's nothing quite like starting your day with lines in the water off the Carolina coast, and this 6-hour private charter gives you the perfect mix of inshore comfort and nearshore action. You'll be working some of the most productive waters from the local inlets all the way out to 10 miles offshore, chasing everything from aggressive Spanish Mackerel to hefty Amberjack lurking around the wrecks. This isn't your typical harbor cruise – we're talking about a serious fishing trip that covers a lot of ground and puts you on multiple species throughout the day. With Green Creek Outfitters & Guide Service, you're getting access to prime fishing spots that locals have been hitting for generations, plus the kind of guidance that turns a good day into a great one.
Your morning kicks off early, which is exactly how serious anglers like it. We'll start by working the inshore waters where the Spanish Mackerel are running, using both trolling and casting techniques to cover water efficiently. Once we've had our fun with the macks, it's time to head to the nearshore wrecks and structure where the real heavyweights hang out. These artificial reefs and natural bottom features hold Flounder, Redfish, King Mackerel, Barracuda, Amberjack, and Cobia – basically a who's who of Carolina coast gamefish. The beauty of this 6-hour window is that we can adapt to what's biting. If the Kings are fired up on the trolling spread, we'll work that bite. If the Cobia are cruising the surface near structure, we'll switch to sight fishing. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you where the fish are holding. With a maximum of 4 guests, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from the crew.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting and where the fish are showing up. For the Spanish Mackerel, we'll typically start with small spoons and Clark spoons on the trolling spread, covering water at a good clip until we mark fish or start getting hits. When we switch to casting, we're throwing everything from small jigs to topwater plugs, especially when the macks are busting bait on the surface. The nearshore wreck fishing is where things get interesting – we're talking about bottom fishing with heavier tackle for Amberjack and Grouper, but also keeping lighter spinning rods ready for sight fishing Cobia when they cruise by. The boat is rigged with quality tackle suitable for everything we're likely to encounter, from 20-pound spinning setups for the inshore action to 40-pound conventional gear for the bigger nearshore fish. Your captain will match the tackle to the technique and target species, so you're always fishing with the right gear. We carry a full selection of lures, live bait when available, and cut bait for the bottom dwellers. The key is staying versatile – Carolina coast fishing can change quickly, and the boats that adapt are the ones that consistently put fish in the box.
Redfish are absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag system and your patience in equal measure. These copper-colored bruisers love structure, whether it's oyster bars, dock pilings, or nearshore wrecks, and they're notorious for making long, powerful runs when hooked. Most of the Reds we encounter range from 20 to 40 inches, with the bigger fish often found around the nearshore structure. Fall and spring are prime time for trophy Redfish, but you can find quality fish year-round if you know where to look. What makes Redfish so popular with anglers is their willingness to eat a variety of baits – they'll crush a topwater plug in shallow water or inhale a cut mullet on the bottom, and their fight is always memorable.
Mahi Mahi, or Common Dolphinfish as they're officially known, are the speed demons of the offshore world, and when they show up in our nearshore waters, it's game on. These brilliant green and gold fish are pure adrenaline – they jump, they run, and they fight with an intensity that'll leave your arms burning. Mahi typically show up in our area during the warmer months when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore, bringing these tropical gamesters with it. They school up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, and when you find one, there's usually more in the area. A good Mahi in the 15 to 30-pound range will give you a fight you won't forget, and they're excellent table fare to boot.
Greater Amberjack are the bullies of the wreck sites, and for good reason – these fish can exceed 50 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. AJs live around hard bottom, artificial reefs, and shipwrecks, where they ambush anything that looks like an easy meal. The trick with Amberjack fishing is getting them away from the structure before they cut you off, which means heavy tackle and no mercy once you set the hook. These fish are most active during the cooler months, and they'll eat everything from live bait to heavy jigs worked vertically through the water column. Landing a quality Amberjack is a true test of angler skill and equipment.
Great Barracuda are the toothy speed merchants that keep things interesting around the nearshore waters. These silver bullets can reach impressive sizes – 20 to 40 pounds is common – and they're equipped with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth that can slice through light leader in a heartbeat. Cuda are ambush predators that lurk around structure and weed lines, exploding on unsuspecting baitfish with lightning speed. They're particularly active during the warmer months and will strike a variety of lures, from flashy spoons to live bait. The key is using heavy wire leader and being ready for their aggressive
This 23' 2020 Sea Chaser center console is your ticket to prime Carolina coast fishing grounds. With a 250HP Suzuki pushing you up to 40 knots, you'll cover serious water chasing everything from Spanish Mackerel in the shallows to King Mackerel and Cobia around offshore wrecks. The custom sight tower gives you the high vantage point to spot fish and structure, while the fish finder does the underwater detective work. Keep your catch fresh in the livewell and your drinks cold in the icebox during those long fights with Amberjack and Barracuda. When stealth matters for spooky Redfish and Flounder, the wireless trolling motor lets you drift into position without spooking your targets. Modern GPS keeps you locked on productive spots, and the flybridge puts you in command whether you're running the inlet or working 10 miles out. Built tough for Carolina waters and designed for up to 4 serious anglers ready to put some quality fish in the boat.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are loners that cruise shallow reefs and wrecks, often mistaken for sharks with that dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These bruisers average 30-60 pounds and fight like freight trains once hooked. We spot them around buoys, structure, and in 30-70 feet of water, especially during their spring migration from April through June. What guests love is the sight-fishing aspect - you actually see the fish before casting to it. Plus they're premium table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. They're curious by nature and will often approach the boat to investigate. My advice: when you see one, cast a bucktail jig past it and work it back slowly. Don't cast right at the fish or you'll spook it.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are built for speed with those torpedo-shaped bodies reaching 2-4 feet long on average. They cruise shallow reefs, weed lines, and structure near the surface, hunting with those razor-sharp teeth. Spring through fall gives you the best shots at them when baitfish are abundant. What makes them exciting is their explosive strike and blazing speed - they can hit 35 mph in short bursts. Most folks target them for the fight rather than the table, though smaller ones eat fine. They're naturally curious and will often follow lures before striking. Here's something to remember: use a wire leader and keep your hands clear when landing them. Those teeth are serious business, and even a tired barracuda can snap unexpectedly.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bullies of the wreck, averaging 30-50 pounds of pure muscle. You'll find them hanging around our offshore structures in 40-100 feet, especially during spring and summer when they're most active. These fish fight straight down with incredible power - they'll test your tackle and your arms. The amber stripe along their sides makes them easy to identify, and their aggressive nature means they'll hit live bait, jigs, or plugs readily. What makes them fun is that brutal fight combined with excellent table fare when prepared right. One thing I always tell guests: once you hook an amberjack, keep steady pressure and don't let it get back to the structure. If it reaches the wreck or reef, it'll wrap your line and you'll lose both fish and tackle.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the ocean's most colorful fighters, flashing brilliant blues and golds when they come to the boat. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds and don't live long, but they make up for it with pure aggression. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in warmer months when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. What guests love most is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and put on a real show. Plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that firm, mild flesh. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and watch for others - mahi travel in schools, and you can often catch several from the same spot if you work it right.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular targets, running 28-33 inches on average with that distinctive black eyespot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - especially around oyster bars, grass flats, and structure in 1-4 feet. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're feeding heavy before winter. What makes them special is that powerful fight in skinny water, plus they're fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor. You'll often spot them "tailing" when they're rooting for crabs in the shallows. Pro tip: when you see one, look for more - they usually travel in small groups, and where there's one redfish, there's often three or four nearby.
Wilmington