Fishing Charters Swansboro NC | 6 Hour Private Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour inshore fishing charter accommodates six guestsCedar Point waters offer diverse fishing and island explorationLizardfish Charters provides comprehensive aquatic adventure experience
Looking for a serious fishing adventure in the pristine waters around Cedar Point, NC? Our 6-hour private charter with Lizardfish Charters puts you right in the heart of some of North Carolina's most productive inshore fishing grounds. This isn't your typical crowded head boat trip – we're talking about a dedicated captain, top-shelf gear, and access to honey holes that consistently produce fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or bringing the family for their first real fishing experience, these waters deliver the kind of action that keeps you talking about it for years. We'll have you casting into creek mouths, working grass flats, and hitting structure where the big ones like to hang out.
Your charter starts bright and early from Swansboro, where Captain and crew will have everything rigged and ready to go. We're not wasting time with long runs – the beauty of Cedar Point fishing is that productive water starts right outside the harbor. You'll spend six solid hours working different spots depending on tide, weather, and what's biting that day. The boat accommodates up to six anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to spread out and work your lines without bumping elbows. Our captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish using a combination of local knowledge and real-time conditions. Expect to move around quite a bit – successful inshore fishing means staying mobile and adapting to what the fish are telling you.
We fish smart out here, matching our approach to what's working best each season. You'll be using medium-action spinning rods paired with quality reels spooled with braided line – perfect for feeling those subtle trout bites and handling the drag-screaming runs when a red drum decides to head for the horizon. Live bait is king in these waters, so expect to work with live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet. We also keep an arsenal of artificial lures on board including soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs for when the fish are actively feeding. The captain will match your technique to the target species and conditions – whether that's slow-trolling creek edges with live bait, sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, or working the bottom around structure for black sea bass. All tackle, bait, and terminal gear is included, though you're welcome to bring your favorite rod if you've got one.
The waters around Cedar Point offer some of the most consistent inshore fishing on the North Carolina coast, with multiple species available year-round. Sea trout are the bread and butter here – these beautiful spotted fish love the grass flats and creek mouths, typically running 14-20 inches with occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches. They're aggressive feeders with a preference for live shrimp and soft plastics, and they put up a scrappy fight that's perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Best action usually comes during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon.
Redfish are the real prize in these waters, and Cedar Point consistently produces some quality bull reds along with plenty of slot-sized fish. These copper-colored bruisers can push 40+ inches and will test your drag system when they make their initial run. Look for them cruising the shallow flats during high tide or holding near oyster bars and dock pilings. They're not picky eaters but respond well to cut bait and live offerings. The fight is what makes redfish special – they're pure power and endurance, often making multiple long runs before coming to the boat.
California flounder provide excellent table fare and a fun challenge for light-tackle fishing. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying in wait near drop-offs and channel edges. They typically run 16-22 inches in these waters, with occasional doormat-sized fish over 24 inches. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you'll be bouncing jigs along the bottom or slow-trolling live finger mullet near structure. When they bite, it's often subtle, so staying alert and feeling for that distinctive tap-tap is key to success.
Spanish mackerel show up in good numbers during warmer months, providing non-stop action when schools move through the area. These sleek speedsters rarely exceed 3 pounds but make up for size with attitude – they hit hard and fight dirty with aerial acrobatics and blistering runs. Small spoons, jigs, and live bait work well, and when you find a school, it's common to hook up on every cast. They're also excellent eating when iced immediately and prepared fresh.
Black sea bass round out the target species list and are available year-round around hard structure. These chunky bottom-dwellers average 12-16 inches but can reach 20+ inches in deeper waters. They're aggressive feeders that will hit cut bait, squid, and small jigs with enthusiasm. Bass fishing is straightforward – find the structure, drop your bait to the bottom, and hang on. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
A 6-hour charter gives you serious time to work these productive waters and target multiple species using different techniques. The captain's local knowledge combined with quality gear and prime fishing grounds makes this a top-rated choice for both experienced anglers and families looking to get into some real fishing action. Cedar Point's protected waters mean we can fish comfortably in conditions that might shut down offshore trips, giving you more fishable days throughout the year. Whether you're after a fish dinner, looking to check some species off your bucket list, or just want to spend a day on the water away from the crowds, this charter delivers the goods. Book early, especially during peak season – the best fishing days fill up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip
Get ready to fish the productive inshore waters around Cedar Point aboard our well-equipped 202 Pioneer Sportfish! This reliable fishing machine comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water - GPS to navigate to the hottest fishing spots, fish finder to locate schools of redfish and speckled trout, plus a live well to keep your catch fresh. Two coolers keep your drinks ice-cold during those long summer fishing sessions, and there's even an onboard toilet for convenience during the 6-hour charter. The sound system keeps the energy up between bites while you target the abundant inshore species that call these North Carolina waters home. All required safety equipment is provided, so just bring your fishing license and get ready to bend some rods in these fish-rich coastal waters!
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are our reliable bottom dwellers that deliver consistent action around Cedar Point's structure. These chunky fighters typically run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, with their distinctive white-spotted fins and that classic grouper-like build. You'll find them hanging around wrecks, jetties, and hard bottom in 20-60 feet of water from late spring through early fall. They're scrappy fighters that'll make several hard runs before giving up. What makes sea bass special is their willingness to bite and excellent eating quality - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with sea bass is getting your bait to the bottom quickly before they steal it on the way down. Use a knocker rig with squid or cut bait, and when you feel that thump-thump bite, set the hook hard and start cranking immediately to pull them away from structure.
Paralichthys CalifornicusWhile California Flounder aren't native to our North Carolina waters, we do target Southern Flounder here that share similar characteristics and fishing techniques. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 12-20 inches, though we occasionally see doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They're found in 6-30 feet around inlets, channels, and bay areas where the bottom transitions from hard to soft. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before winter. What's fun about flounder fishing is the surprise factor - you never know when that "snag" will start swimming away. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the ocean. Here's my go-to method: drift with live finger mullet on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, count to five before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water game around Cedar Point. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black spots typically run 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of bulls pushing 40+ inches in deeper channels. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love about reds is their stubborn fight and that satisfying tail-slapping battle right to the boat. The meat is firm and sweet, making them excellent table fare. Pro tip: when you spot a red tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where it's moving - they're focused on feeding and won't see you coming if you stay quiet.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are some of the most reliable fish you'll find around Cedar Point's grass flats and shallow waters. These silvery beauties typically run 14-24 inches and pack surprising fight for their size. Look for them in 2-4 feet of water around structure during warmer months, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes trout fishing special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're not picky eaters. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: when you're working grass flats, throw your lure past the fish and work it back slowly. Trout spook easily in shallow water, so that extra distance makes all the difference.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes around Cedar Point. These streamlined silver bullets typically measure 14-20 inches and rarely exceed 3 pounds, but they make up for size with pure attitude. During summer months, you'll find schools terrorizing baitfish near the surface around jetties, piers, and temperature breaks in 10-40 feet of water. They're absolute lightning when they hit - no mistaking that strike. What guests love is the non-stop action when you find a school, plus they're fantastic eating with firm, flavorful meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The key to Spanish success is speed matching - use small, fast-moving lures like spoons or tiny jigs. Once you hook up, keep your rod tip up because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through line if they get slack.
Cedar Point, NC