Half Day Bluefish, Redfish And Mackerel Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour fishing adventure targeting Spanish Mackerel and BluefishExplore nearshore wrecks and Intracoastal Waterway for Red DrumSmall group experience with maximum three guests aboard
Looking for a solid half-day fishing adventure that hits all the right spots? This 4-hour charter with J Hook Charters is exactly what you need. We'll cruise Wilmington's productive waters, working everything from the surf zone to near-shore wrecks, plus making a strategic run through the ICW for a shot at North Carolina's prized Red Drum. With a small group of just 3 anglers max, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Pack your cooler with ice and get ready to fill it with some of the coast's most sought-after species.
This trip is all about reading the water and following the fish. We start by running the beach, looking for diving birds and bait schools that signal feeding Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish. When conditions are right, these fish put on a show you won't forget – surface strikes, bent rods, and coolers filling up fast. After working the beach action, we'll swing by some productive near-shore wrecks where the bottom structure holds everything from keeper-sized bottom fish to cruising predators. The final piece of the puzzle is our run through the Intracoastal Waterway, targeting the shallow grass flats and oyster bars where Red Drum love to cruise and feed. Each spot requires different techniques and offers its own rewards, keeping the action varied and the anticipation high throughout the trip.
Versatility is key on this charter – we'll be switching between several proven techniques depending on what the fish are telling us. For the Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish action, we primarily troll small spoons and diving plugs at varying speeds until we locate active schools, then often switch to casting and jigging for more exciting hookups. At the wrecks, we'll drop live bait or heavy jigs to the bottom, feeling for the subtle taps and head shakes that signal fish moving in to feed. The ICW portion calls for a completely different approach – sight fishing with cut bait or live shrimp around structure, watching for the telltale copper flash of a Red Drum's back or the nervous water that gives away their presence. All tackle and bait are provided, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one you trust. Wire leaders are essential for the toothy Spanish Mackerel and Blues, while the Redfish fishing calls for lighter tackle to detect those sometimes-subtle bites.
Spanish Mackerel are the bread and butter of this trip, especially during their peak season from late spring through early fall. These fast-moving predators typically run 1-3 pounds in our waters, though larger "keeper" mackerel pushing 4-5 pounds show up regularly and provide outstanding table fare. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight well on light tackle, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. What makes them special here is their abundance – when you find a school, you can often catch them as fast as you can get your line back in the water.
Bluefish are the ultimate crowd-pleasers, known for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights. In Wilmington waters, we typically encounter fish ranging from "snapper" blues around a pound up to "chopper" blues that can push 8-10 pounds. These fish are pure attitude – they travel in schools, compete for baits, and rarely refuse a well-presented lure. The larger blues provide excellent eating when bled and iced immediately, while the smaller ones are perfect for novice anglers to build confidence and learn proper fish-handling techniques.
Red Drum represent the crown jewel of this charter experience. As North Carolina's state fish, these copper-colored beauties are what dreams are made of for inshore anglers. Our ICW waters hold both slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) that make excellent table fare and larger "bull" reds that provide the fight of a lifetime before being released to spawn again. Redfish are incredibly smart and can be finicky feeders, making them a true test of angling skill. When you hook into a quality Red Drum in shallow water, the combination of their strength and the limited fighting room creates an adrenaline rush that keeps anglers coming back for more.
This half-day charter offers the perfect balance of variety, action, and value for anglers who want to experience the best of what Wilmington's inshore waters have to offer. With multiple target species, diverse fishing techniques, and intimate group sizes, you're guaranteed personal attention and the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions throughout the trip. The combination of high-action schooling fish and the possibility of that trophy Red Drum makes every cast exciting. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing for the first time, this trip delivers consistent results and lasting memories. Don't let another season pass without experiencing this customer favorite – book your spot with J Hook Charters today and get ready to see why so many anglers consider Wilmington one of the East Coast's top fishing destinations.
Hit the waters around Wilmington aboard our brand new 23' Four Sons flats boat, built in 2023 and rigged specifically for chasing bluefish, redfish, and mackerel. This sleek vessel cuts through the surf with a powerful 200HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at 35 knots when we need to move between spots. The shallow-draft design lets us sneak into those tight redfish haunts along the ICW where the big drums like to feed. You'll appreciate the wireless trolling motor when we're working the flats quietly, plus the GPS and fish finder help us locate schools of Spanish mackerel and mark those productive near-shore wrecks. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your rods without getting tangled up. The boat's modern layout keeps tackle organized and gives everyone clear shots at whatever's biting, whether we're casting to breaking fish on the surface or dropping baits down to bottom dwellers around the structure.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the bulldogs of our coast - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll bend your rod and test your drag. These toothy predators typically run 2-15 pounds around Wilmington, with their blue-green backs and razor-sharp teeth. They travel in schools along the surf, around jetties, and near offshore wrecks in 10-60 feet of water. Summer and early fall bring the best action when they're chasing baitfish. Guests love the raw power - blues fight dirty and never give up. They're also excellent eating when bled and iced immediately, with rich, flaky meat that's great smoked or grilled. Fair warning: these guys will bite anything, including your fingers. My go-to trick is using wire leaders with chunk bait or metal spoons - their teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. When they're feeding, the water looks like a washing machine.
Sciaenops OcellatusNorth Carolina's state fish is a real prize around Wilmington. These copper-colored beauties with black eyespots near their tails typically run 28-33 inches in our waters, though we see some monsters pushing 45+ inches. They love shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water along the ICW, around oyster bars, docks, and grass beds. Fall through spring is prime time when they're feeding heavy before winter. What makes them special? They fight like hell and taste amazing - mild, sweet meat that's perfect on the grill. Plus, watching one cruise the shallows with its back out of water gets your heart pumping. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait settle on the bottom - they're bottom feeders and spook easy if you drop it right on their head.
Scomberomorus MaculatusThese silver speedsters are pure fun on light tackle. Running 12-24 inches and 2-8 pounds, Spanish mackerel travel in big schools that show up along our beaches from late spring through early fall. They cruise near the surface around structure, wrecks, and drop-offs, usually in 15-50 feet of water. What guests love most is the nonstop action - when you find a school, everyone's rod bends at once. They hit fast and fight hard for their size, plus they make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker. Summer mornings are best when water temps hit the mid-70s. Here's the trick: when trolling, use small shiny spoons or feathers and keep your speed around 6-8 knots. Go too fast and you'll pull the lure right out of their mouths.
Wrightsville Beach/Carolina Beach