Extended Half Day Fishing Trip - Beaufort, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour weekend inshore fishing targeting multiple speciesExtended trips allow more time for skill developmentSmall group capacity ensures personalized guided experience
Looking for a solid fishing adventure that gives you real time on the water? This 6-hour weekend charter out of Beaufort puts you right in the heart of North Carolina's premier inshore fishing grounds. With On Deck Fishing Charters, you'll work the flats, channels, and structure where Red Drum, Speckled Trout, and Flounder call home. Six hours means no rushing—you get to fish multiple spots, dial in your technique, and actually enjoy the process instead of watching the clock.
This isn't your typical rushed half-day trip. Six hours gives us the flexibility to move around and find the bite, especially important in Beaufort's diverse inshore waters. We'll start early to beat the weekend crowds and hit the productive spots while fish are still feeding. The Crystal Coast's maze of creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats holds plenty of fish, but it takes time to work them properly. You'll fish light tackle that lets you feel every bump and run—perfect for the finicky trout and drum that cruise these waters. With only three anglers max, everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of casting opportunities. The extended time frame means we can adjust our game plan based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us.
We'll be running a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. Soft plastics on jig heads are the bread and butter here—Z-Man baits and DOA shrimp work magic on trout and redfish in the grass. When Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish are running, we'll switch to small spoons and got-cha plugs that trigger aggressive strikes. Live bait fishing with shrimp and finger mullet produces consistent action, especially around structure and drop-offs. The boat's equipped with quality rods and reels spooled with appropriate line weights, plus a solid selection of terminal tackle. We'll work everything from shallow oyster bars in two feet of water to deeper channel edges where big drum patrol. Sight fishing opportunities come up regularly—watching a red drum's back fin cutting through skinny water never gets old. GPS and fish finder help locate structure, but reading water conditions and understanding fish behavior make the real difference.
Spanish Mackerel show up in spring and fall, typically running in schools that provide fast action once you locate them. These aggressive feeders hit hard and make screaming runs that test your drag system. Most range from 1-3 pounds, perfect for light tackle battles. Bluefish patrol the same waters and fight even harder pound-for-pound, with their notorious attitude and razor teeth keeping things interesting. Striped Bass move through these waters during cooler months, offering the chance at larger fish that really test your skills. Fall runs can produce stripers in the 5-15 pound range that make memorable fights in shallow water. Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are year-round residents that require more finesse but reward patient anglers. These beautiful fish are excellent table fare and provide technical fishing challenges around grass beds and structure. Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here—powerful, smart, and capable of making runs that strip line off your reel. Slot-size reds between 18-27 inches are common, with occasional oversized drum that provide tackle-testing battles in skinny water.
Weekend availability fills up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when conditions align perfectly. This extended format gives you the best shot at a productive day without feeling rushed or shortchanged on water time. Six hours allows for tide changes, multiple spots, and the kind of relaxed fishing that makes lasting memories. Whether you're looking to improve your inshore techniques, introduce someone new to saltwater fishing, or just enjoy a quality day on North Carolina's beautiful Crystal Coast waters, this trip delivers. The combination of experienced guidance, prime fishing grounds, and ample time creates the perfect setup for success. Don't wait until the weekend you want to go—these spots book weeks in advance during peak seasons.
Your fishing platform for this extended half-day adventure is a reliable 22' Pathfinder bay boat, powered by a robust 250HP Yamaha outboard that'll get you to the prime fishing grounds around Beaufort quickly and smoothly. Built in 2013, this versatile vessel handles the shallow waters and channels perfectly while chasing Red Drum, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, and Flounder. The boat comfortably fishes up to 3 anglers with plenty of casting room and features GPS navigation to pinpoint productive spots plus a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure below. With a cruising speed up to 50 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water rather than running between locations, making the most of your 6-hour weekend fishing experience in these productive North Carolina waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that'll give you a real workout on light tackle. Around here, most run 2-8 pounds, though we see some bigger ones in fall. They travel in schools and go on feeding frenzies that'll churn the water white - we call it a "blitz." Look for them around bait schools near jetties, inlet mouths, and over sandy bottom in 15-40 feet. They hit just about anything - spoons, plugs, cut bait, or live menhaden. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps are in the 60s-70s. What guests love is their fight - they're strong, fast, and don't give up easy. The meat's tasty too, just bleed them quick after catching. Here's the thing: always use a short wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono like butter.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or Red Drum, are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing. Most run 18-30 inches around here, with their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them on grass flats, around oyster bars, and in tidal creeks from 1-6 feet deep. They're here year-round, but fall is prime time when they school up. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows and the powerful runs when hooked. They're also great table fare with mild, firm meat. Redfish will eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials like gold spoons and soft plastics. My tip: when sight-fishing, cast ahead of cruising fish and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are a staple of our inshore fishing here in Beaufort. Most run 12-18 inches, though we regularly see 2-3 pounders that'll put a good bend in your rod. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially on moving tides during dawn and dusk. What makes them fun is their willingness to hit artificial lures - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work great. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean with tender, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. The key is not to horse them - they have soft mouths that'll tear if you're too aggressive. Fish them on light tackle with a gentle drag, and you'll boat a lot more trout.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are sleek, fast-moving fish that show up in our Beaufort waters from late spring through fall. Most run 14-20 inches and 2-4 pounds, but they're lightning quick and travel in schools. You'll find them near the surface around structure - inlet mouths, drop-offs, and over grass flats in 10-30 feet of water. They hit hard on small spoons, jigs, and live bait like shrimp or cut mullet. What makes them fun is their speed and the way they'll tear line off your reel. Plus, they're excellent eating - firm, white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your rod tip up and reel fast. They've got sharp teeth, so use a short wire leader to avoid cut-offs when the school gets fired up.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass are one of our most sought-after fish, and for good reason. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-30 pounds around Beaufort, though we catch some real monsters pushing 40+. They're structure-oriented fish - you'll find them around jetties, bridge pilings, and drop-offs in 15-50 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime time when they're migrating through our area. What makes them special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight. They're also fantastic eating with firm, flaky white meat. Stripers can be picky, so live bait like eels or menhaden often works best, though they'll hit large swimbaits and topwater plugs. Local tip: fish the tide changes around structure, especially early morning or late evening when they're most active.
North Carolina