Family Inshore Fishing Charter North Carolina
Captain Dave knows how to show families a good time on North Carolina's productive inshore waters. This isn't just another fishing trip—it's your chance to introduce kids to the sport while experienced anglers enjoy consistent action targeting multiple species. Running from October 15 through July 31, these guided charters take you through prime inshore flats, around docks, and into marshy areas where redfish, sea trout, flounder, and striped bass call home. With fishing licenses included for up to three guests and all tackle provided, you can focus on what matters most: making memories and putting fish in the boat.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Dave's approach is simple but effective—he moves between several productive spots during your trip, adjusting techniques based on what the fish are telling him that day. You'll work the shallow flats where redfish cruise, cast around structure where black drum hang out, and hit deeper channels where stripers patrol. The beauty of inshore fishing in North Carolina is the variety. One cast might bring in a hard-fighting red drum, while the next could surprise you with a fat flounder or aggressive bluefish. Dave provides hands-on instruction for beginners and shares local knowledge that even seasoned anglers appreciate. Kids love the action-packed nature of inshore fishing—there's always something happening, whether it's spotting fish in shallow water or learning how to read the tides.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
These inshore waters call for versatile tactics, and Captain Dave comes prepared with everything you need. You'll use both live bait and artificials depending on conditions and target species. Soft plastics work great for redfish around grass beds, while cut bait often produces black drum near structure. The boat stays equipped with medium-action rods perfect for the 2-6 pound test range these species prefer, plus heavier setups when bigger fish are on the agenda. Dave knows when to sight-cast to cruising reds in skinny water and when to anchor up and wait for drum to move through. The marsh grass areas provide excellent cover for juvenile fish, while docks create ambush points for predators. You'll learn to read water color, current direction, and how structure affects fish behavior—skills that translate to better fishing anywhere you wet a line.
Customer Stories
"My son and I met Capt Dave at the Bridgeton Ramp just north of New Bern due to the weather conditions and where the fish were projected to be. For the first half of the trip, it was overcast with a slight breeze and spotty light rain, and the second half was just rainy. Capt Dave took us to the railroad trestle, and we fished around the pylons. We got a few hits, and my son caught two stripers. We were one day past the season, so we had to throw them back. We also got a couple of big blue hits, but weren't able to set the hook. We tried another area for blues around the Trent River bridge and another area for red drum. Given the drought (water salinity) and generally poor weather conditions (cool temperature and rain), the fish were just not interested in anything we were offering. Capt Dave really tried to get us fish by trying different places and different lures, but some days the fish just aren't interested. I guess that's why it's called fishing and not catching! Capt Dave did a great job, and we've decided to come back another time." - Stanley Stasiewicz
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the crown jewel of North Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and fight like fish twice their size. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around oyster beds and grass flats. Fall through spring offers the best action as schools of slot-sized fish move through the area. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent table fare when kept within regulations. You'll hear that distinctive drumming sound when they're hooked—it's addictive.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, provide consistent action throughout the season. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots prefer grass beds and drop-offs where they ambush small baitfish. Most run 14-18 inches, with larger "gator trout" exceeding 20 inches during peak times. They're light biters, so you'll develop finesse techniques that improve your overall fishing skills. Sea trout hit soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom, making them perfect for teaching kids proper retrieve techniques.
Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey. These flatfish can be tricky to hook since they often grab bait and run before setting up for a proper bite. Patience pays off with flounder fishing. They're most active during moving tides around structure and channel edges. Door-mat flounder over 20 inches provide serious drag-screaming runs, and their sweet, flaky meat makes them a favorite target for dinner.
Bluefish earn their reputation as aggressive fighters that'll hit just about anything you throw at them. These schooling fish provide fast action when located, often resulting in multiple hookups. Blues range from snapper-sized juveniles perfect for kids to catch, up to chopper blues that can exceed 10 pounds. They're excellent for teaching proper hook-setting techniques since they attack baits aggressively. Just watch those teeth—blues can deliver a nasty bite if handled carelessly.
Striped bass, or rockfish, are prized for both their fighting ability and excellent eating quality. North Carolina's inshore waters hold good populations of schoolie stripers, typically running 18-24 inches. They prefer current breaks, bridge pilings, and deeper channels. Stripers are structure-oriented fish, so you'll learn to identify productive areas by reading your electronics and understanding how current
5.0(1 Reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
North Carolina
Family
