Premium Inshore Fishing Adventures in Brunswick County
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour fishing trip targeting multiple inshore speciesMorning and afternoon departure options accommodate flexible schedulesAll equipment, licenses, and gear included for groups
Looking for a solid day on the water without breaking the bank? Little Secret Charters has you covered with their top-rated 4-hour fishing trips that hit all the right spots in Brunswick County. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not afraid to adjust the game plan based on what's biting. You'll get your choice of morning (9:00 AM) or afternoon (1:00 PM) departure times, perfect for early birds or folks who like to sleep in a bit. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – it's a private charter that moves with the fish and the conditions.
Your captain starts every trip with a quick briefing about the day's strategy, checking tide charts and recent reports to put you on fish. Brunswick County's inshore waters are a maze of productive creeks, salt marshes, and tidal rivers where redfish cruise the shallows and sea trout hang around structure. When conditions are right and the crew feels confident, you'll make the run nearshore to try your luck bottom fishing and trolling for pelagics. The beauty of this setup is flexibility – if the inshore bite is red hot, you stay put. If the nearshore action is calling, you make the move. Every trip accommodates up to 6 anglers, so it's perfect for families, buddy trips, or corporate outings where everyone gets plenty of rod time.
Little Secret Charters comes loaded with quality gear, so you don't need to haul your own setup unless you want to. Light tackle is the name of the game for inshore work – think spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle redfish pickups while still having enough backbone for a decent fight. Bottom fishing gets a bit heavier when you're targeting black drum and larger trout around structure. The trolling spread nearshore typically runs a mix of spoons, diving plugs, and live bait rigs designed to tempt spanish mackerel and kings cruising the temperature breaks. Jigging comes into play around structure and drop-offs where bonito and bluefish like to ambush baitfish. Your fishing license is included, and the crew handles all the rigging, so you can focus on the fun part.
Spanish mackerel are the bread and butter of nearshore fishing here, typically running 1-3 pounds with occasional 4-pounders that'll surprise you with their speed and fight. These fish show up consistently from late spring through early fall, and they're suckers for small spoons and live shrimp trolled at moderate speeds. Peak action usually happens during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. Bluefish in Brunswick County waters range from snapper-size blues perfect for kids to chopper blues that'll test your drag and bite through anything they can fit in their mouths. They're aggressive feeders that hit artificials hard, making them a customer favorite for nonstop action when schools move through.
King mackerel are the prize catch of nearshore trips, with fish ranging from schoolie kings around 10-15 pounds up to smoker kings pushing 30-40 pounds that'll make your arms burn. These fish are speed demons that hit trolled baits at full throttle, often jumping multiple times during the fight. Summer months produce the most consistent action, especially around structure and temperature breaks where kings ambush schools of menhaden and spanish sardines.
Sea trout are year-round residents that provide steady action in the creeks and grass flats, with most fish running 12-16 inches and occasional gator trout over 20 inches that are photo-worthy catches. They respond well to soft plastics worked slowly over grass beds and live shrimp under popping corks. Winter months often produce the biggest trout as they stack up in deeper holes.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, with most Brunswick County fish running 18-27 inches of pure muscle and attitude. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they're surprisingly spooky despite their size. Sight fishing for reds in skinny water gets your heart pumping, especially when you watch a 25-inch fish slowly cruise up to your bait. They're strong fighters that use their broad tails to make powerful runs toward structure, testing your drag settings and patience.
This world-class fishing opportunity books up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot and weather windows are prime. Little Secret Charters offers free cancellation up to 3 days in advance, so you can book with confidence and adjust if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. The crew's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a best trip choice for serious anglers and families alike. Whether you're after your first redfish or trying to add a smoker king to your list, these Brunswick County waters deliver the goods when you fish them right. Don't wait around – good fishing days and open boat dates don't last long around here.
The 22' Grady White Tournament is your ticket to productive fishing waters around Brunswick County. This proven center console handles both the protected inshore creeks and the open nearshore waters with confidence, giving you access to prime fishing spots for redfish, trout, mackerel, and more. Built for serious anglers, she comfortably fishes up to 4 guests at once with room for 6 total. The spacious cockpit gives everyone plenty of casting room whether you're working the marsh grass for reds or bottom fishing offshore structure. Modern electronics including GPS and fish finder help locate the bite, while the large icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout the 4-hour trip. Quality tackle and safety gear come standard, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the box. This reliable Grady White delivers the perfect platform for exploring everything from shallow water flats to deeper nearshore fishing grounds.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that show up in massive schools during their spring and fall migrations through Brunswick County waters. These muscular fighters typically weigh 3-15 pounds and have mouths full of sharp teeth that'll shred anything in their path. You'll find them in 20-60 feet of water, often feeding so aggressively they create feeding frenzies at the surface. They're known for their powerful runs and head-shaking fights that can straighten hooks. While their oily, rich meat isn't for everyone, fresh blues are excellent smoked or grilled. They'll hit just about any lure - spoons, jigs, or cut bait work great. When we locate a bluefish blitz, it's pure chaos with birds diving and fish exploding everywhere. Pro tip: use a wire leader - their teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat, and always keep your fingers away from their mouth.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the heavyweights of the mackerel family, and they're why we head to deeper nearshore waters when conditions allow. These torpedo-shaped fighters typically weigh 15-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, temperature breaks, and baitfish concentrations. Kings are known for their blistering initial runs that can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. They're excellent table fare when prepared fresh, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening. We target them by slow-trolling live bait or pulling spoons and diving plugs. The bite is usually best during moving tides in warmer months. Here's what separates the pros from beginners: always use a stinger hook when live bait fishing. Kings often grab the tail of a bait first, and that trailing treble hook will seal the deal on more fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow creeks and marshes - bronze-backed bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most of our fish run 18-32 inches, with slot-sized fish providing the best combination of fight and table fare. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they root for crabs and shrimp. Reds are bulldogs that make powerful runs into structure, testing both your drag and patience. Their firm, mild meat makes excellent blackened fish or fish tacos. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and soft plastics with equal enthusiasm. The bite stays consistent year-round, though fall and spring offer the most active feeding. Here's what I tell all my clients: when you see a redfish with its tail out of the water, cast past it and work your bait back slowly. Dropping a lure right on a feeding red will spook it every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, especially in the grass flats and creek mouths around Brunswick County. These spotted beauties typically run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger "gator trout" over 5 pounds show up regularly. You'll find them in 2-8 feet of water around oyster bars, grass beds, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. They're scrappy fighters that make good runs for their size, and their tender white meat is some of the best eating you'll find inshore. Trout bite well on live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs, especially during low-light periods. The bite really picks up in spring and fall when water temperatures are comfortable. Here's a guide secret: in winter, look for them in deeper creek bends and channels where they school up in 10-15 feet. A slow-sinking jig bounced along the bottom can produce limits when the shallow bite is slow.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, schooling fish that show up in our nearshore waters spring through fall. These silver speedsters typically run 1-3 pounds and are built for speed with their streamlined bodies and razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them cruising 10-30 feet of water around structure, baitfish schools, and temperature breaks. They hit hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. What makes them special is the combination of great fight and excellent table fare - their mild, flaky meat is perfect grilled or blackened. When we're trolling for them, I like to run small spoons or diving plugs at 6-8 knots. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep the boat moving. Spanish mackerel often travel in big schools, so maintaining trolling speed can lead to multiple hookups as the school follows the hooked fish.
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