Full Day Inshore Fishing in Coastal North Carolina
When you want to maximize your chances at filling up that species checklist, this full-day inshore trip with Gunny B Outdoors is your ticket to some of the best fishing waters along the North Carolina coast. We're talking about a solid day working the marshes and river systems where the fish are thick and the action stays consistent. This isn't some quick half-day teaser – we're giving you the time to really get into the rhythm and put multiple species in the boat.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll be fishing the productive marshes and interconnected river systems that make coastal North Carolina such a renowned inshore destination. These waters hold an impressive variety of species year-round, and spending a full day gives us the flexibility to move around and target what's biting best. We can accommodate up to four anglers comfortably, though the boat can handle six if you've got a bigger group (just know there's an extra $50 fee for each angler beyond the first two). The boat's set up specifically for inshore work – shallow draft, quiet motor, and all the gear you need to target everything from bottom-hugging flounder to cruising redfish. Plan on being out there from early morning until late afternoon, giving us plenty of time to work different spots as conditions and tides change throughout the day.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
We'll be using a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting and where we find them. For the redfish and trout, we're often throwing soft plastics along grass lines and oyster bars, working those areas where baitfish like to hang out. When we're after flounder, we'll switch to bottom rigs with live bait or jigs, working the sandy edges and drop-offs where these flatfish like to ambush their prey. Sheepshead require a bit more finesse – we'll be using smaller hooks and fresh shrimp around structure like dock pilings and oyster beds. The black drum usually come on cut bait fished near the bottom in deeper holes and channels. All tackle is provided, but if you've got your own gear and prefer to use it, just let us know what you're bringing so we can plan accordingly. We'll have a good selection of live and cut baits on board, plus plenty of artificials that have proven effective in these waters.
Top Catches This Season
Southern Flounder: These flatfish are the masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing baitfish. In coastal North Carolina, flounder typically run anywhere from keeper size around 15 inches up to true doormat specimens pushing 25 inches or more. Fall is prime time for big flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning run, but we catch them consistently throughout the warmer months. What makes flounder so exciting is that hit – it's often subtle at first, just a slight weight on your line, then suddenly they wake up and start that characteristic head-shaking fight. They're also fantastic table fare, which makes landing a good one even more rewarding.
Black Drum: Don't let anyone tell you black drum don't fight – these fish are bulldogs that will test your drag and your patience. We're targeting the smaller ones in the 14-30 inch range, which are perfect for eating and put up a serious scrap. Black drum love structure and are often found around oyster beds, bridge pilings, and deeper holes in the river systems. They're year-round residents here, though they tend to be more active during the cooler months. The bigger drums we catch and release, but those mid-size fish are absolutely delicious and worth every bit of the fight they give you.
Sheepshead: Known as the "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, sheepshead are some of the most challenging fish to hook consistently. They have human-like teeth that they use to crush barnacles and crabs off structure, and they're notorious bait thieves. But when you do hook one, you've earned it, and they make excellent table fare. Sheepshead are most active during the warmer months and are almost always found around hard structure. We'll be targeting them around dock pilings, oyster beds, and rock piles where they feed on the abundant crustaceans and mollusks.
Redfish: The poster fish of inshore angling along the Carolina coast, redfish are aggressive predators that provide some of the most visual and exciting fishing you'll experience. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster bars looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Slot-size reds (18-27 inches) are what we're after most of the time, though we occasionally hook into over-slot bulls that provide a completely different level of fight. Redfish are active year-round here, though they're most aggressive during the warmer months. What makes them so special is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they often feed in shallow water where you can actually see them hunting.
Sea Trout: Speckled trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing in North Carolina, and for good reason. They're relatively easy to catch once you locate them, they bite a wide variety of baits and lures, and they're excellent eating. Most of the trout we catch run in the 14-20 inch range, though we regularly see some true "gator trout" that push well over two feet. They prefer grass flats and sandy bottoms near structure, and they're most active during dawn and dusk periods. Trout are temperature sensitive, so during the hottest summer months, we'll often target them early and late in the day when they're feeding most actively.
Time to Book Your Spot
This full-day inshore trip represents the best value for serious anglers who want to maximize their time on the water