Full Day Inshore Charter in Atlantic Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutAll gear, bait, licenses and drinks included with bookingExpert captain guides beginners through Atlantic Beach waters
Captain William Gillikin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this 8-hour inshore adventure. Whether you're a first-timer looking to learn the ropes or someone who just wants to enjoy a relaxed day targeting redfish and speckled trout, this Atlantic Beach charter delivers. With all your gear, bait, tackle, and fishing licenses included, plus complimentary drinks to keep you hydrated, you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. This top-rated charter accommodates up to 3 anglers, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and won't feel crowded on the water.
You'll start your day early, meeting Captain William at the marina as the sun begins to paint the horizon. The Crystal Coast's inshore waters offer some of North Carolina's most productive fishing grounds, and you'll be targeting structure-rich areas where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout hold near grass beds. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring you a hard-fighting red drum, while the next could produce a tasty flounder or a screaming Spanish mackerel run. Captain William reads these waters daily and knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The atmosphere stays relaxed and educational, perfect for anglers who want to improve their skills while enjoying the coastal scenery. Don't forget to pack sunscreen, a hat, some snacks, and layers for changing weather conditions throughout your full day adventure.
This charter focuses on light tackle inshore techniques that maximize your connection to the fish while giving you the best shot at success. You'll primarily use live bait and artificial lures, with Captain William switching up the approach based on what's working best that day. Expect to throw everything from soft plastics around oyster bars to live shrimp under popping corks near grass flats. The boat stays positioned using both anchoring and drift fishing methods, allowing you to work different water columns and structures effectively. When targeting redfish in shallow water, you'll often sight-cast to tailing fish or work the edges of spartina grass where they ambush prey. For speckled trout, the captain employs a more finesse approach, using lighter tackle around submerged structure and drop-offs. Spanish mackerel fishing gets your adrenaline pumping with fast trolling or casting spoons and small jigs near bait schools. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle come ready to fish, so you can spend your time learning techniques rather than rigging lines.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Atlantic Beach inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most exciting action you'll find in shallow water. Adult reds typically range from 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with their broad tails and powerful shoulders making every hookup memorable. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially during the cooler parts of the day when they move into skinny water to feed on crabs and baitfish. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive nature and the visual excitement of watching them crash baits in just a few feet of water. The slot-size fish you'll target make excellent table fare, while the larger bulls provide pure sport before swimming away to fight another day.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, represent the bread and butter of inshore fishing along the Crystal Coast. These beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14 to 20 inches, though larger "gator trout" exceeding 24 inches show up regularly in cooler months. They're most active during spring and fall when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 65 and 75 degrees. Specks have a soft mouth that requires finesse, making every hookup a test of your angling skills. They school up around grass beds, oyster rocks, and channel edges, often providing steady action once you dial in their location and preferred presentation.
Spanish mackerel bring non-stop action to your charter with their incredible speed and acrobatic fighting style. These torpedo-shaped fish typically weigh 1 to 3 pounds but fight like they're twice that size, often jumping clear of the water multiple times during the battle. Summer months produce the best Spanish mackerel fishing when they follow bait schools close to shore. Their razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes keep you on your toes, and they make outstanding table fare when prepared fresh. The key to consistent success is matching their preferred bait size and keeping your lures moving at the right speed.
Southern flounder add a different dimension to your inshore experience, with these flatfish masters of camouflage lying in wait along sandy bottoms and channel edges. Most keeper flounder range from 15 to 20 inches, though doormat-sized fish over 4 pounds are caught regularly during fall migration periods. Their ambush-style feeding requires patience and precise bait placement, often near structures where they wait for unsuspecting prey to drift within striking distance. Fall months produce the largest flounder as they fatten up before heading to offshore spawning grounds, making them a highly sought-after target for both sport and table value.
King mackerel, when they show up during summer months, provide some of the most intense fishing action available on an inshore charter. These larger cousins of Spanish mackerel can weigh anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds, testing your tackle and endurance with blistering runs and aerial displays. They typically hunt along the edge of the Gulf Stream where it pushes closer to shore, following schools of menhaden and other baitfish. Captain William knows exactly when and where to position the boat for the best shot at kings, often trolling live baits or large spoons at specific depths and speeds to trigger strikes from these apex predators.
Captain William Gillikin's 20-foot Intruder "Reel Affair" is your ticket to prime inshore fishing around Atlantic Beach. Powered by a reliable 115hp Yamaha, this well-equipped boat handles the coastal waters with ease while you target redfish and speckled trout in the shallows. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking fish in skinny water, while the GPS and fish finder help locate productive spots along the Crystal Coast. With a live bait tank keeping your shrimp and minnows fresh, you'll have everything needed for a successful day on the water. The boat comfortably fishes up to 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the heavyweights of the mackerel family and absolute burners when hooked. These olive-backed bruisers typically weigh 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds, making them serious gamefish. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and following bait schools. Summer through early fall brings the best action when they move closer to shore chasing menhaden and blue runners. What makes them special is that initial screaming run - they'll strip 100 yards of line before you know what hit you. The meat is rich and oily, great for smoking or grilling, though it's higher in mercury than smaller fish. Here's what works: slow-troll live bait on a stinger rig with two hooks - one in the nose, one mid-body. Kings love to hit prey from behind, so that second hook back there saves a lot of missed fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the crown jewel of inshore fishing - copper-colored bulldozers with that signature black spot near the tail. Most inshore fish run 18-27 inches, but we occasionally hook into slot-busters over 30 inches that'll test your drag. These fish love super shallow water, often feeding in 1-4 feet around oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats. Fall is absolutely prime time as they school up and feed heavily, but spring and summer produce steady action too. What makes them special is that raw power - they'll make long, determined runs and use that broad tail to fight every inch of the way. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Here's my secret: look for tailing fish in skinny water during high tide, then present a gold spoon or live shrimp about 6 feet ahead of where they're heading. Keep it quiet and let them come to you.
Salmo TruttaAlso called speckled trout, these beautiful spotted fish are bread-and-butter inshore targets that fight well above their weight class. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with those distinctive black spots scattered across their silver sides. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in shallow bays where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best action, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What guests love is their willingness to hit lures and that head-shaking fight that feels like a much bigger fish. They're also excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to mess up in the kitchen. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds during moving tides. That popping sound drives them crazy, and they'll often hit as soon as the bait settles.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese masters of disguise are lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged until your bait drifts by. Southern flounder typically measure 15-18 inches but can push past 2 feet, with that distinctive flat profile and both eyes on one side. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Fall is absolutely prime time as they fatten up before their winter offshore migration. What guests love is the challenge - they don't fight like other fish, but instead use that flat body to bulldoze along the bottom with surprising power. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, firm white meat. My go-to tip: fish a live mud minnow or finger mullet on a Carolina rig right along the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusThese streamlined silver bullets are absolute speed demons that'll give you a workout. Spanish mackerel typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-4 pounds, but their blazing fast runs make them feel much bigger. You'll find them cruising near the surface in schools, often following bait around structures and drop-offs. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit 70°F+, especially during moving tides. What makes them so popular is that explosive first run - they'll peel line like crazy before settling into a solid fight. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Here's a local trick: when you see birds diving, get there fast and cast small spoons or jigs right into the commotion. The mackerel are usually just underneath those birds, feeding on the same baitfish.
Atlantic Beach, NC