NC 5 Hour Inshore Fishing (AM/PM)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, flounder in coastal marshes and riversSmall group experience with maximum six anglers per tripFivehour inshore fishing adventure in North Carolina waters
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing action on the East Coast, coastal North Carolina delivers every single time. This 5-hour charter with Gunny B Outdoors puts you right in the heart of where the fish live – those productive marshes and river systems that hold serious numbers of redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum. You'll be working waters that locals have been fishing for generations, and trust me, there's a reason we keep coming back to these same spots year after year.
This trip is designed for two anglers max, which means you're getting personalized attention and prime fishing real estate without fighting for rod space. We'll be targeting the marshes and river systems where these fish love to hang out – around oyster bars, creek mouths, and structure that holds bait. The morning trips often start around first light when the water's still cool and the fish are actively feeding, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still get into some solid action. You're looking at 5 solid hours on the water, which gives us plenty of time to work multiple spots and adjust our game plan based on what the fish are telling us. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you might hook into a slot redfish, the next could be a chunky flounder or a hard-fighting black drum.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's working best that day. Live bait is always a top producer – we're talking finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp that drive these inshore species crazy. When the bite is on, we'll also throw some artificials like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that can really get the fish fired up. The tackle setup is medium-light spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites but has enough backbone to turn a big red away from structure. We'll be fishing depths anywhere from 2 to 15 feet, working everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges. The key is reading the water and understanding how tides, wind, and structure all come together to create those magical spots where fish stack up.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow water around oyster bars and marsh edges, especially during moving tides. You'll find them ranging from schoolie-sized fish up to bulls that'll test your drag system. They're aggressive feeders and put up one heck of a fight, making long runs and using their broad shoulders to bend your rod. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, but we catch them year-round in these protected waters.
Sea trout are another customer favorite, especially the speckled variety that call these waters home. They're ambush predators that love to hang around grass beds and drop-offs, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting baitfish. What makes them so fun to catch is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent table fare. During cooler months, they'll move into deeper holes, while warmer weather finds them scattered across the flats.
Southern flounder are the ultimate prize for anglers who appreciate technique over pure power. These flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud waiting for prey to swim by. They require patience and a good feel for your bait, but when you hook into a doormat-sized flounder, it's pure gold. Fall is prime time for flounder as they start their migration to deeper water, fattening up and becoming more aggressive.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the water, but they're absolute powerhouses that'll give you a workout you won't forget. These bottom-dwellers love structure like pilings, oyster bars, and rock piles where they root around for crabs and shellfish. They're notorious for their bulldogging fighting style – not flashy, but they'll use every ounce of their weight to try and get back to the bottom.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, famous for their light bites and quick mouth work that earned them the nickname "convict fish" for their black and white stripes. They hang around structure with barnacles and oysters, using their human-like teeth to crush crustaceans. Landing one requires concentration and quick reflexes, but they're tremendous eating and a real test of your angling skills.
Coastal North Carolina's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent and diverse fishing you'll find anywhere, and this 5-hour trip with Gunny B Outdoors puts you right in the middle of it all. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some new species to your list or someone just getting into saltwater fishing, these waters have something special waiting for you. The combination of productive fishery, experienced guidance, and small group size creates the perfect recipe for a day you'll be talking about for years. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – the best fishing windows fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when these fish are most active.
Your motorboat is perfectly rigged for working North Carolina's productive inshore waters. The GPS navigation system keeps you on course through the maze of marshes and tidal creeks, while the fish finder helps locate schools of redfish and trout holding in deeper channels. This setup handles the shallow flats and oyster bars where sheepshead and black drum like to feed. The boat moves quietly through skinny water, getting you close to structure without spooking fish. Built for the demands of inshore fishing, it's stable enough for bottom fishing yet responsive when you need to chase feeding schools. Whether you're drifting live bait for flounder or casting artificials at redfish tailing in the grass, this boat puts you in position to connect with North Carolina's best inshore species.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our most popular inshore target, and it's easy to see why. These spotted beauties average 14-20 inches and are perfect for light tackle fishing. You'll find them over grass beds, around creek mouths, and near structure in 3-10 feet of water. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late evening. Spring through fall offers consistent action, though they school up in deeper holes during cold snaps. What anglers love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're phenomenal eating with tender, sweet meat. They have soft mouths, so fights are more about finesse than power. Shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics work great. The key trick: work your bait slowly and keep steady pressure when fighting them - too much force and you'll pull the hook right out of those paper-thin mouths.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish for Carolina shallow water fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots cruise our grass flats and oyster bars in water so shallow you'll see their backs. Most fish run 18-30 inches and put up a serious scrap with strong runs and head shakes. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their willingness to eat everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, plus they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. You'll find them tailing in skinny water or cruising the edges of structure. The explosive topwater strikes are what keep anglers coming back. Best tip I can give: when sight-fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sink to their level - they spook easily in shallow water, so keep noise to a minimum.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with just their eyes showing. You'll typically find them in 2-8 feet of water around creek mouths, oyster bars, and grass flats throughout our marshes. Most run 15-18 inches and 2-3 pounds, though we do see some nice 5+ pounders. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawning run. They're ambush predators that'll nail a slow-bounced jig or live finger mullet. What makes them special? They're pound-for-pound some of the best eating fish in the sound, with sweet white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: fish the edges of structure changes where sand meets grass or mud - that's where they set up to ambush baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. These 2-8 pound fish hang tight around any structure - docks, pilings, oyster beds, and jetties. They're year-round residents, but spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. Anglers love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll test your patience. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in our waters - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp work best on small hooks. My advice: when you feel them pecking at the bait, resist the urge to set the hook immediately. Let them load up, then give a sharp hookset when you feel their weight.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from school-sized 5-10 pounders up to massive 40+ pound bulls. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow mud flats where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What draws anglers is their bulldogging fight - they don't jump, but they'll test your drag and make long runs. The smaller ones are excellent table fare with firm white meat, though fish over 15 pounds get pretty tough. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater, especially during spawning season. Best bait is fresh blue crab or clam on the bottom. Pro tip: when you feel that first nibble, let them run with it a bit before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Swansboro, NC