Inshore / Backwater Charters in North Carolina
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Early morning backwater fishing for trout, redfish, and flounderSmall group charters accommodate up to two guests maximumNorth Carolina inshore waters with specialized local expertise
When you step aboard with Reel McCoy Sportfishing, you're not just booking another fishing trip—you're getting access to some of North Carolina's most productive backwater fishing grounds. Our top-rated inshore charters focus on what really matters: putting you on fish and making sure you have a blast doing it. We keep things simple with just two anglers max per trip, so you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique or someone who just wants to bend a rod and have fun, we've got you covered.
We hit the water early—and I mean early. Dawn patrols are where the magic happens in these backwaters, when the fish are most active and the crowds haven't shown up yet. You'll be working shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster bars where speckled trout, redfish, and flounder like to hang out. The vibe is relaxed but focused—think quality time on the water with plenty of opportunities to learn new techniques and improve your game. Our backwater spots are protected from rough seas, making for comfortable fishing even when it's blowing outside. Don't worry about bringing gear; we've got everything dialed in with rods, reels, tackle, and bait that's proven to produce in these waters. Just bring yourself, some snacks, and drinks to keep you going through the morning bite.
Backwater fishing is all about finesse and reading the water. We'll be using light tackle—spinning reels spooled with 10-15 pound test—perfect for the slot-sized fish these waters are known for. Depending on conditions, we'll work everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads. When the fish are spooky in skinny water, we'll go with topwater plugs that create just enough commotion to get their attention. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to structure like downed trees, dock pilings, and grass edges where these fish ambush baitfish. We'll also spend time sight fishing when the water's clear enough, which means spotting fish before you cast to them—it doesn't get much more exciting than watching a redfish eat your lure in two feet of water.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): These are the bread and butter of North Carolina inshore fishing, and our backwaters hold some beautiful fish. Specks typically run 14-20 inches in our area, with the occasional gator trout pushing 24+ inches showing up to make your day. They're most active during moving water, especially on the incoming tide when baitfish get pushed into the shallows. Spring through fall offers the best action, with May and October being absolute dynamite months. What makes specks so fun to catch is their aggressive strikes—they'll absolutely crush a topwater plug or slam a shrimp so hard it nearly pulls the rod out of your hands. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within the slot limits.
Redfish: North Carolina's copper-colored beauties are what dreams are made of for inshore anglers. Our reds typically range from 18-27 inches, perfect slot-sized fish that fight way above their weight class. These fish are year-round residents, but fall brings the best action when they school up in massive groups. Redfish are notorious for their bulldog fighting style—once hooked, they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag system and your patience. The sight fishing opportunities for reds in our backwaters are world-class, especially during late summer when you can spot their copper backs and tails in the shallow grass beds. They're also one of the smartest inshore species, requiring precise presentations and quality tackle to consistently fool.
Southern Flounder: Don't let their flat profile fool you—these ambush predators are some of the most challenging and rewarding fish in our backwaters. Flounder range from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to doormat-class fish over 20 inches that'll bend your rod in half. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near structure where they wait to ambush passing baitfish. The technique for targeting them requires patience and feel—you're often working baits slowly along the bottom, feeling for that subtle tap-tap-tap that signals a flounder mouthing your offering. Summer through early fall is prime time, especially around creek mouths and channel edges where moving water brings them food. When you hook into a quality flounder, their head-shaking, bulldogging fight is completely different from trout or redfish—plus they're hands-down the best eating fish in these waters.
If you're ready to experience what makes North Carolina's backwater fishing so special, it's time to get on the calendar with Reel McCoy Sportfishing. Our customer-favorite morning trips consistently produce fish while giving you the personalized attention you won't find on crowded head boats. With our intimate two-person limit, you'll have plenty of opportunities to hone your skills, learn local techniques, and create lasting memories on some of the best inshore waters the East Coast has to offer. Whether you're targeting your first redfish, looking to land a gator trout, or just want to spend quality time on the water with a friend or family member, we'll make it happen. Book now and discover why anglers keep coming back to fish these renowned North Carolina backwaters with us season after season.
Our recently purchased boat is built for serious inshore and backwater fishing adventures along North Carolina's productive waters. This nimble craft runs on a reliable 50hp Honda outboard that gets you to the honey holes fast, while the wireless Minkota trolling motor lets you slip quietly through shallow waters where trout, redfish, sheepshead, and tautog like to hang out. The Lowrance electronics package includes GPS navigation and fish finder technology to locate structure and mark productive spots. An onboard livewell keeps your bait frisky and your catch fresh, while the icebox handles drinks and snacks for those early morning starts. With room for two anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up with your fishing partner. Whether you're targeting speckled trout in the grass beds or working structure for redfish and sheepshead, this boat handles the shallow backwaters and inshore zones where North Carolina's best fishing happens.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in NC. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ pounds when you find the big bulls. Look for that distinctive black spot near the tail - it's their signature feature. They love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass beds, and marsh edges. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is watching a red's back fin cutting through shallow water before the strike - it's pure fishing magic. They fight hard and are fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. Here's a local trick: when sight-fishing in skinny water, cast your bait 5 feet ahead of where they're headed, not right at them. Let them find it naturally instead of spooking them with a direct hit.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most consistent targets in NC's backwaters. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow areas, especially during early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They love temperatures between 60-75°F, making spring through fall prime time. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're not overly picky. The meat is excellent eating too, with a mild, flaky texture that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when working grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in, and that suspended bait looks natural as it drifts with the current.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in our backwater systems. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically run 15-18 inches but can reach 5+ pounds. Both eyes sit on their left side - a weird feature that makes them perfectly built for life on the bottom. They bury themselves in sand and mud around creek mouths, drop-offs, and channel edges, waiting to hammer anything that swims by. Fall migration season is prime time when they're moving toward deeper water and feeding heavily. What makes flounder special is the challenge - they're masters of camouflage and require patience. But the payoff is worth it since they're some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. The key is fishing slow along the bottom with live bait like mud minnows or shrimp on a lightweight jig head. Keep your bait moving just enough to stay off the bottom.
North Carolina