Evening Inshore Fishing Trip | Private Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour evening charter starts before sunset on calm watersAll fishing licenses included with guidance from experienced captainSmall group experience accommodates up to four guests maximum
There's something magical about casting lines as the sun starts its descent toward the horizon. This 4-hour evening charter with Reed And Reel Fishing Company lets you escape the heat of midday and enjoy some of the best bite times inshore waters have to offer. You'll have the boat all to yourself and up to three buddies, making it perfect for families, couples, or a small group of fishing enthusiasts who want a more intimate experience on the water.
Your captain will pick you up roughly four hours before sunset, timing your departure perfectly for prime feeding periods. Evening charters are customer favorites because fish tend to be more active as temperatures cool down and baitfish start moving closer to structure. The pace is relaxed but productive – you're not rushing back to beat the heat, and there's plenty of time to work different spots if the fish aren't cooperating at your first stop. The boat stays in protected inshore waters, so you won't deal with big swells or rough seas that can make offshore trips uncomfortable. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand and will adjust techniques based on what's biting that particular evening. All fishing licenses are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Your captain comes equipped with top-rated rods, reels, tackle, and bait suited for the target species in these waters. Depending on conditions and what's running, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around grass flats, working soft plastics along drop-offs, or drifting cut bait near structure. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – you could be sight-casting to tailing redfish one minute and bottom fishing for flounder the next. Most of the fishing happens in water depths ranging from 2 to 15 feet, making it easy to see what's happening and perfect for anglers who get seasick in deeper water. Your guide will teach you local techniques that work specifically in these waters, whether that's reading grass lines, finding the right depth on structure, or timing your retrieve to match the current.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of evening inshore trips. These flatfish love to ambush prey from sandy bottoms and grass edges as light starts to fade. They're typically 14 to 20 inches long, with some real doormat-sized fish pushing 24 inches or more. Fall and early winter are prime time for flounder, when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. What makes them exciting is the subtle bite – you'll feel a gentle thump, then nothing. Set the hook too early and you'll pull the bait away; wait too long and they'll drop it.
Striped Bass, or "stripers" as locals call them, are world-class fighters that show up in cooler months. These silver rockets can range from schoolie size around 18 inches up to real bruisers over 30 inches. They love to chase baitfish in open water and around points, making for some fast-paced action when you find them. The best part about hooking a striper is the initial run – they'll peel drag and make multiple jumps before you get them to the boat.
Sheepshead are the finicky eaters that test your patience and skill. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and love to steal bait around docks, pilings, and oyster bars. They're notorious for light bites and require a sensitive touch, but once you figure them out, they're incredibly rewarding to catch. Most run 12 to 16 inches, but the big ones can push 20 inches and provide excellent table fare.
Sea Trout, or "specks," are a staple species that bite consistently throughout the year. These spotted beauties love grass flats and can be caught on everything from live shrimp to artificial lures. They typically run 14 to 18 inches, with some real slobs reaching 24 inches or better. Evening hours are prime time for trout as they move shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing – copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots that can turn a relaxing evening into an arm-burning workout. They range from slot-sized fish around 18 to 27 inches up to oversized bulls that can stretch past 40 inches. Reds are renowned for their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style, often heading straight for the nearest oyster bar or grass bed to try and break you off.
Evening charters book up fast, especially during prime fishing months when word gets out about hot bites. The combination of cooler temperatures, active fish, and that perfect golden hour lighting makes this trip a trending choice for both serious anglers and folks just looking to unwind on the water. Remember to bring your favorite snacks and drinks – there's nothing quite like enjoying a cold beverage while watching the sunset paint the sky as you wait for your next bite. This isn't just a fishing trip; it's four hours of pure relaxation with the bonus of some great fishing mixed in. Your captain handles all the details, so you can focus on what matters most – dropping lines and making memories with your crew.
Step aboard this well-equipped 2014 Carolina Skiff and get ready for some serious evening fishing action. At 21 feet with a reliable 115HP Mercury engine, this boat cuts through the water at up to 40 knots, getting you to the hotspots fast. The spacious deck comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, so there's plenty of room to cast without bumping elbows. Your captain comes loaded with local knowledge and will put you on whatever's biting that evening - from flounder to redfish to whatever else is prowling the shallows. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps you on track. Pack your cooler with snacks and drinks for the icebox, grab your hat, and prepare for some quality time on the water as the day winds down. All fishing licenses are covered, and the boat's got everything else you need for a productive evening chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species with that copper-red color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-30 inches in the shallows, sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy areas in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring see the most active feeding. What gets guests excited is the visual aspect - watching these bronze torpedoes cruise the flats and explode on topwater plugs. They're strong fighters that make long runs and the smaller ones are excellent eating. Here's what works: look for nervous water and tailing fish in the shallows. A gold spoon or topwater plug worked slowly over grass beds will get their attention. When you hook up, keep steady pressure - they'll head for structure to break you off.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are beautiful spotted fish that make our grass flats come alive during evening hours. They typically run 14-24 inches and love shallow water around oyster bars and seagrass beds. Night fishing and low-light conditions are when they really turn on, making our sunset trips perfect timing. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit topwater lures and the satisfying fight they put up. The meat is delicate and flaky - excellent table fare if you don't overcook it. During winter months, they school up in deeper channels which can make for fast action. My go-to advice: work your lures slowly around grass edges and watch for that classic trout strike - they'll often jump clear of the water. Use light tackle with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork for best results.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black stripes, and they'll test your patience like no other. Most run 2-5 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. Spring is prime time when they spawn around jetties and reefs. What makes them special is those human-like teeth - they crunch barnacles and crabs all day. Guests love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves with a delicate bite. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the water - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort to clean. Here's my trick: use fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small hook, get right up against the pilings, and when you feel that subtle nibbling, wait a beat longer than you think before setting the hook. Most people strike too early and just feed the fish.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are fascinating flatfish that'll surprise you with their weird appearance and tasty meat. These guys run 15-18 inches typically, with both eyes on their left side - nature's oddest design. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms in shallow bays and estuaries. Fall and winter are prime time when they move offshore to spawn. What guests love most is the challenge - they're sneaky bait thieves that require patience. The meat is excellent eating, mild and flaky. My best tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or bull minnows right on bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, don't strike immediately. Let them take it and swim off before setting the hook, or you'll just pull the bait away from them.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our inshore fishing, running 20-40 pounds on average with those distinctive dark horizontal stripes. These powerful fish love structure - bridges, jetties, drop-offs, anywhere baitfish get pushed around by current. They're active year-round but really fire up during their spring and fall migrations. Evening trips are perfect since they feed heavily at dusk and dawn in cooler surface water. Guests love the strong fight they put up and the excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat. They're not particularly fast but they're strong swimmers that'll test your drag. Best tip I can share: watch for diving birds and bait activity on the surface. When you see that commotion, get your live herring or bunker in there fast. The feeding windows can be short but intense.
Chincoteague