Target Redfish & Black Drum on Our Family Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour private inshore charter targeting redfish and black drumAll fishing gear, bait, and tackle provided for convenienceFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to four guests of all skill levels
Looking for a fishing trip that works for everyone in the family? This 5-hour inshore charter with NMB Charters is exactly what you need. Captain takes you into the protected waters around North Myrtle Beach where the fishing is consistent, the ride is smooth, and kids can actually handle the tackle without getting overwhelmed. We're talking about light tackle fishing in calm backwaters and tidal creeks where redfish cruise the shallows and black drum patrol the oyster beds. Your captain provides all the gear, bait, and local knowledge – you just bring sunscreen and maybe some snacks for the crew.
This isn't one of those rock-and-roll offshore trips that leaves half the family green around the gills. We fish the inshore waters where the boat stays stable and everyone can focus on actually catching fish. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand – every oyster bar, grass flat, and creek mouth that holds fish. The 5-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to put different family members on fish without rushing from spot to spot. Expect to cover shallow flats where you can sight-fish cruising reds, deeper channel edges for black drum, and grass beds where speckled trout like to ambush bait. The private charter means your captain can adjust the pace and techniques based on who's aboard – whether that's slowing down for a 6-year-old's first fish or helping dad land something worth bragging about back home.
We fish with light spinning tackle that anyone can handle – think 2500-3000 series reels spooled with 15-20lb braid and circle hooks that make releasing fish easy and safe. Your captain provides everything from the rods to the live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be casting soft plastics on jig heads, drifting live shrimp under popping corks, or even sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're bouncing bottom rigs for black drum around dock pilings, the next you're working topwater plugs over grass beds at first light. Kids love the action because inshore species fight hard relative to their size, and the visual element of seeing fish in shallow water keeps everyone engaged.
Redfish are the crown jewel of North Myrtle Beach inshore fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers grow fast in our coastal waters, with slot-size fish ranging from 14-23 inches providing amazing fights on light tackle. Fall and spring offer the best action when schools of reds push into the shallows to feed on fiddler crabs and mullet. What makes them special is their willingness to eat – whether you're using live shrimp, cut mullet, or soft plastic baits, a hungry red will usually let you know about it. They're also perfect for kids because they don't have sharp teeth and they fight in long, powerful runs rather than quick bursts.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute tanks that test your drag system and patience. These bottom-dwellers love structure – think bridge pilings, oyster beds, and channel dropoffs where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Bigger drum can push 30-40 pounds in these waters, though most catches run 5-15 pounds. They're year-round residents, but spring brings the best action when they move shallow to spawn. What's cool about drum fishing is the technique – you need to keep your bait on bottom and watch for subtle bites since they tend to mouth baits before committing. Kids get a kick out of their croaking sounds when you bring them aboard.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are probably the most consistent biters in our inshore waters. These spotted beauties love grass flats and channel edges where they can ambush baitfish and shrimp. Spring through fall offers prime action, especially during moving tides when the bait gets pushed around. Trout hit a variety of baits – live shrimp under corks, soft plastics bounced along bottom, even topwater plugs during low-light periods. They're perfect starter fish for beginners because they're aggressive feeders and fight with impressive head shakes that keep the rod tip dancing.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the inshore scene, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish are most active during fall months when they fatten up before heading to deeper water for winter. Finding flounder takes local knowledge – your captain knows the specific creek mouths, channel bends, and current breaks where they like to stage. The bite is often subtle, feeling more like picking up a wet towel than a fish strike. But once hooked, flounder make strong runs and provide excellent table fare for families looking to take dinner home.
Sheepshead are the bait-stealers of the inshore world, known for their incredible ability to pick crabs and barnacles off structure with human-like teeth. These black-and-white striped fish are most active around docks, bridges, and jetties during cooler months. They require finesse – light leaders, small hooks, and fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp. What makes sheepshead fishing addictive is the challenge – they're notoriously picky eaters that will test an angler's patience and skill. But land a nice sheepshead and you've got bragging rights plus some of the best eating fish in coastal waters.
This family-friendly inshore charter delivers exactly what most groups are looking for – consistent action, comfortable conditions, and memories that last long after the trip ends. The 4-person capacity keeps things intimate while
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 24-foot Champion center console, perfectly sized for family groups up to 4 anglers. This 2014 bay boat features a powerful 225HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the productive inshore waters quickly, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots when needed. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up – especially important when you've got kids learning the ropes. Our GPS navigation system helps pinpoint the best redfish flats and black drum holes, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Built for the shallow coastal waters around North Myrtle Beach, this boat draws just enough water to access those back creeks and grass flats where the big drum and slot reds like to feed. The stable platform makes it easy for anglers of all ages to handle light tackle, and there's enough deck space for the whole family to fish comfortably during your 5-hour charter.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they'll test your drag system for sure. These gray-black bruisers typically weigh 5-30 pounds, but don't be surprised if we hook into something pushing 50+ pounds. They love hanging around oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. Kids get a kick out of that sound, plus the strong, steady fight these fish put up. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. My best tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, keep it on the bottom, and be patient. When they pick it up, give them a second to commit before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our inshore waters - those copper-colored backs and black spots near the tail make them easy to identify. Most run 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds, with bigger bull reds offshore that can hit 40+ pounds. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water. Spring through fall gives us consistent action, but fall is prime when they school up. What makes them special is their power and endurance - they'll make long runs and give everyone on board a workout. Plus, they're great eating when kept within slot limits. My go-to technique: work topwater plugs or soft plastics along grass lines during moving tides. Watch for their wakes in skinny water, and always approach from upwind so you don't spook them with the motor.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are perfect for light tackle fishing - they hit hard but don't overpower kids or beginners. These silver fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in our waters. You'll find them over grass flats, around creek mouths, and in 2-6 feet of water, especially during moving tides. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - watching a trout blow up on a surface plug never gets old. The meat is tender and flaky, making them great for a fish fry. Here's what works: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below, work it over grass beds with some current. The key is varying your retrieve - sometimes they want it fast, sometimes slow and steady.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people talking are their human-like teeth - kids love seeing those! They average 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we occasionally land 15+ pounders around structure. You'll find them hugging dock pilings, jetties, and any barnacle-covered structure where they pick off crabs and shellfish. They're year-round residents, but spring brings the best action when they're most active. What makes them challenging is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and steal your shrimp before you know it. The payoff is some of the best-eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp, get tight to the structure, and when you feel them mouthing the bait, set the hook aggressively. Don't wait for a big bite.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms, changing color to match their surroundings. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them look pretty unique when kids see one for the first time. They typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, especially around creek mouths and grass flats. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding up before moving offshore. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strike once they commit - no gentle nibbles here. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. Pro tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp, and when you feel that thump, set the hook hard since their mouth is tough.
North Myrtle Beach