Beaufort NC Fishing Charter | Afternoon Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Afternoon inshore fishing charter departing at 5:30 PMTarget Bluefish, Redfish, Black Drum, and Spanish MackerelSmall group experience with maximum 3 guests
Looking for the perfect way to spend an evening on North Carolina's Crystal Coast? Our afternoon fishing charter out of Beaufort puts you right in the heart of some of the best inshore action on the East Coast. Starting at 5:30 PM, this top-rated trip gives you prime time fishing when the fish are actively feeding and the summer crowds have headed back to shore. With space for just three anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with fish stories and going home with fish.
This isn't your typical crowded head boat experience. You'll be fishing the productive waters around Beaufort Inlet and the nearby sounds where redfish, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and black drum call home. The afternoon start time is no accident – we've found this is when the bite really turns on, especially during the warmer months when daytime fishing can be slow. As the sun starts its descent, baitfish become more active, and that gets our target species fired up and ready to feed. Our experienced guides know these waters like the back of their hand, from the grass flats where reds love to cruise to the structure where black drum hang out. You'll spend your time working different techniques depending on what's biting – maybe throwing topwater plugs at tailing redfish or dropping cut bait around pilings for drum. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility to adapt to conditions and put you on fish.
We provide all the gear you'll need, but feel free to bring your own rod if you've got a lucky setup. Our tackle selection includes medium to medium-heavy spinning rods paired with quality reels spooled with fresh line. Depending on what we're targeting, you might be throwing artificial lures like spoons and jigs for Spanish mackerel and bluefish, or fishing live and cut bait on the bottom for redfish and black drum. The guides will match your technique to the conditions – if the water's clear and fish are spooky, we might go with lighter tackle and natural presentations. When they're aggressive, we can throw bigger lures and cover more water. Live bait is often the ticket, especially finger mullet and shrimp that these species can't resist. Circle hooks are the standard for bottom fishing, helping ensure good hooksets and easier releases. The shallow waters around Beaufort mean you don't need heavy weights or complicated rigs – just good technique and patience.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Beaufort's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in our waters and put up a legendary fight that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish moving into the shallows to feed on crabs and baitfish. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat both lures and bait, plus that distinctive spot near their tail that makes them instantly recognizable. They're also excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within the slot limit.
Spanish mackerel show up in droves during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. These silver speedsters rarely exceed 3 pounds but make up for size with pure aggression. They'll absolutely demolish small spoons, jigs, and live bait, often hitting lures so hard they hook themselves. The key is fishing them fast and staying ready – when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are essential, and their delicate mouths require a gentle touch when fighting them.
Bluefish are the bulldogs of the inshore waters around Beaufort. These toothy predators travel in schools and feed with reckless abandon, making them a blast to catch on light tackle. Peak season runs from spring through late fall, with fish ranging from 1-5 pounds being most common. They'll hit just about anything that moves, from topwater plugs to bottom rigs. Blues are notorious for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights, plus they make excellent table fare when bled and iced properly.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish you'll encounter in these waters. The younger "puppy drum" in the 14-30 inch range are perfect for this type of fishing, offering great fights without the need for heavy tackle. They're bottom feeders by nature, so fresh shrimp and cut crab on a Carolina rig is typically the winning combination. Spring and fall tend to be the most productive seasons, when drum move into shallower water to feed. Their powerful runs and head-shaking fights will definitely get your attention.
This customer favorite afternoon trip fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. With only three spots available, you're guaranteed the kind of personalized service that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Our local guides have years of experience reading these waters and putting clients on fish, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The 5:30 PM start time gives you the perfect opportunity to experience Beaufort's world-class inshore fishing while watching one of the most beautiful sunsets on the Carolina coast. Don't miss out on this trending trip that combines productive fishing with the magic of evening on the water – book your spot today and get ready to see why Beaufort is considered one of the best fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Hit the waters around Beaufort aboard our reliable 2017 Seahunt 22-foot center console, built tough for the coastal conditions you'll encounter chasing redfish and Spanish mackerel. This bay boat handles beautifully in shallow waters where the fish like to hang out, powered by a dependable Yamaha 200HP that gets you to the hot spots quickly. The wireless trolling motor lets you work structure quietly without spooking fish, while the GPS keeps you on productive waters and the fish finder shows what's swimming below. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. The center console design gives everyone easy access to all sides of the boat - perfect for when the action heats up during those productive afternoon hours. Whether you're targeting drum in the shallows or mackerel along the drop-offs, this boat puts you right where you need to be.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of Beaufort's inshore waters. These gray-black bruisers typically run 5-15 pounds around here, though we occasionally tangle with 30+ pound giants that'll test your tackle and patience. They're bottom-feeders that love our oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths, especially in brackish water where fresh meets salt. Spring spawning season brings the best fishing when they school up in shallow water. What makes them special? They fight like freight trains, using their powerful bodies to dig deep and test your drag. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or clam on a carolina rig, keep it on the bottom, and be patient. When a drum picks up your bait, they'll often mouth it first - wait for that solid pull before setting the hook.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish around Beaufort are pure aggression with fins. These blue-green predators typically range from 2-8 pounds, with their razor-sharp teeth and muscular build built for one thing - eating everything in sight. They roam our nearshore waters, beaches, and inlet mouths from late spring through fall, often in large schools that create feeding frenzies you can see from miles away. When they're on, the action is non-stop - they'll hit anything that moves. Smaller "snapper" blues are perfect for kids and beginners, while the bigger ones provide serious fights on light tackle. Fresh blues under 5 pounds are excellent table fare when iced immediately. My go-to technique: when you find feeding birds and churning water, throw anything shiny like a spoon or popper. Just watch your fingers - these guys will bite anything, including the angler.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular targets around Beaufort, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-35 inches in our waters, though we occasionally hook into real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love our shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on moving tides when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great (that mild, sweet flavor is perfect grilled), and give you that satisfying sight-fishing experience. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast your bait a few feet ahead and let it settle - they spook easily but can't resist a well-placed shrimp or crab.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes around Beaufort. These silver bullets with bright yellow spots typically run 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, but they make up for size with pure energy. You'll find schools of them cruising near-shore waters, especially around structure and bait pods during summer and early fall. They're surface feeders that love to ambush schools of menhaden and sardines, creating quite a commotion when they're feeding. Guests love them because they hit hard and fast, making for exciting light-tackle action. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we catch - firm, mild meat that's perfect on the grill. Here's the trick: when you see birds diving and water boiling with baitfish, get a small spoon or jig in there quick. These fish move fast, so you've got to react faster.
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