Charter Fishing Morehead City | 4 HR Private Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour private inshore fishing charter accommodates 6 guestsTarget redfish, black drum, flounder, and Spanish mackerelCaptain's choice fishing in productive Morehead City waters
Looking for some top-rated inshore action in one of North Carolina's best fishing spots? Mainely Blue Charters has you covered with this 4-hour private charter that puts you right in the thick of Crystal Coast's most productive waters. Captain's choice means we're hitting the hottest bite of the day, whether that's working the jetties for black drum or chasing redfish through the grass flats. With room for up to 6 anglers, this is your chance to get away from the crowds and focus on what really matters – putting fish in the boat.
Your morning starts at the Morehead City waterfront, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on tackle and tactics for the day. We're talking about genuine Crystal Coast fishing here – no cookie-cutter approach. Your captain reads the conditions, checks recent reports, and makes the call on where the fish are biting best. Maybe that's drifting live shrimp around the Radio Island jetties, or maybe it's sight-casting to tailing reds in Shackleford's skinny water. The beauty of captain's choice is adapting to what's working right now, not what worked last week. You'll spend four solid hours working different structures and techniques, learning why this stretch of coast consistently produces some of the state's best inshore fishing. Between the Bogue Sound grass beds, Cape Lookout shoals, and countless creek mouths, there's always another spot to try when the action slows down.
We're running light to medium spinning gear most of the day – think 3000-4000 size reels spooled with 15-20 lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Depending on what we're targeting, you might be bottom fishing with circle hooks and pyramid sinkers, or throwing artificial lures like spoons and soft plastics. Live bait is often the ticket here, especially fresh shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows from local bait shops. Your captain handles all the rigging, but don't be surprised if you pick up some new knots and techniques along the way. We'll work everything from shallow grass flats where you can see bottom in three feet of water, to deeper channel edges where the current brings baitfish and bigger predators together. The key is staying mobile and reading the water – when you see diving birds or nervous baitfish, that's where you want your line.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of these waters, especially around the jetties and bridge pilings. These bruisers can push 40-50 pounds and will test your drag system like nothing else. They're suckers for fresh shrimp fished on bottom, and spring through fall brings the best action. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight – they don't jump, but they'll pull steady and hard until your arms ache. Most anglers are shocked by how much power these fish pack.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, but that's exactly why catching them feels so rewarding. These black-and-white striped fighters hang around any structure with barnacles or oysters, using their human-like teeth to crush shellfish. Fiddler crabs and small pieces of shrimp work best, but you need to set the hook at the first tap. They're incredibly smart fish, and outsmarting them takes patience and quick reflexes. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Redfish are the poster fish of North Carolina's coast for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs fight like fish twice their size, making long runs and using their broad sides to stay deep. Slot-size reds between 18-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger bulls over 27 inches put on a show before swimming away. Look for them in skinny water during high tide, especially around oyster bars and grass edges. They'll eat everything from cut bait to topwater plugs, depending on conditions.
Scup might not be the biggest fish you'll catch, but they're scrappy little fighters that show up in good numbers when conditions are right. These silver-sided panfish love structure and will often bite when nothing else is cooperating. They're excellent practice for kids or newer anglers, and they make great bait for bigger predators when the bite is slow.
Little tunny, also called false albacore, bring the speed and excitement that keeps veteran anglers coming back. These mini-tunas show up in fall when water temperatures start dropping, often feeding in massive schools that turn the surface into chaos. They'll hit small spoons, jigs, and live bait with incredible force, then peel line like a fish three times their size. Watching them bust bait on the surface is one of the most exciting sights in inshore fishing, and hooking into a school means non-stop action.
This 4-hour private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace while targeting the species that are biting best. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in new techniques or a family wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, Mainely Blue Charters delivers the kind of personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day. The Crystal Coast's reputation for consistent fishing isn't just hype – it's built on productive waters, diverse species, and captains who know how to put it all together. Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Book your trip now and find out why anglers keep coming back to Morehead City's legendary inshore fishing.
Step aboard the Lucy Ella, a 28′ Henriques express cruiser built for serious fishing in Morehead City waters. This custom New Jersey hull cuts through the waves with ease, giving you access to prime inshore spots where redfish, black drum, and speckled trout are waiting. The spacious cockpit provides plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to work the water, while the tuna tower offers an elevated view to spot fish movement and structure below. Captain's choice fishing means targeting whatever's biting - from lightning-fast false albacore to hard-fighting black grouper lurking near ledges and wrecks. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of Spanish mackerel and flounder hideouts, while GPS and radar keep you on the productive spots regardless of conditions. Between battles with sheepshead around pilings, relax in the comfortable cabin featuring a full galley, bathroom, and sleeping quarters. The icebox and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot summer days on the water. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or chasing personal bests, the Lucy Ella delivers the comfort and capability to make the most of Morehead City's rich fishing grounds.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter around Morehead City. These big, gray-black bruisers typically run 10-30 pounds, but we've hooked monsters pushing 50+ pounds. You'll find them cruising shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and around bridge pilings where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from April through June is prime time - they school up and get aggressive. What makes them special is that raw power when hooked. They'll drag line and test your gear like few fish can. For eating, keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds - the meat's flaky and mild. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near structure.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, what we call false albacore around here, are pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These torpedo-shaped speedsters average 8-15 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. You'll spot them busting baitfish on the surface near inlets, jetties, and drop-offs from late summer through fall when water temps are still warm. They travel in schools and make a commotion when feeding - listen for the splashing and look for diving birds. What anglers love is that blistering initial run and the way they test your drag. The meat's dark and strong-flavored, so most folks release them. When you find a school feeding, cast small spoons or streamers right into the chaos. Key tip: use light wire leaders and keep your drag loose - these fish will snap you off on that first screaming run if you're not ready.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the golden prize of our shallow water fishing around Morehead City. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots typically run 18-30 inches and put up fights that'll leave you grinning. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow creeks in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're great table fare with mild, flaky meat. These fish will hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Local secret: look for nervous water and feeding birds - that's where the reds are corralling bait.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as most locals call them, are scrappy little fighters that show up in decent numbers from late spring through early fall around Morehead City. These silver-sided fish typically run 8-14 inches and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for fish cakes or whole fried. You'll find them around rocky bottom, wrecks, and near-shore structure in 20-60 feet of water, where they root around for clams, worms, and small crabs. They're not glamorous, but they're fun on light tackle and great for keeping the action going between larger fish. Summer months are prime time when they move inshore. Here's the thing about scup: they bite aggressively on small hooks with squid or clam, and they make fantastic live bait for stripers when kept lively.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're crafty thieves that'll steal your bait faster than you can blink. These 2-6 pounders love hanging around dock pilings, bridge supports, and any barnacle-covered structure where they pick off crabs and shellfish with their human-like teeth. Spring months bring the best action when they're feeding heavily before spawning. What guests love is the challenge - these fish require finesse and quick reflexes. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters, with sweet white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Pro tip: keep your bait tight to the structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap.
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