Beaufort NC Half Day Fishing Charter - PM Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon charter targeting multiple inshore speciesStriped Bass, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel fishing opportunitiesSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water in one of North Carolina's best fishing spots? This half-day charter out of Beaufort puts you right in the action with our experienced captains who know these waters like the back of their hand. Starting at 1 PM, you'll have plenty of time to sleep in and still get out there when the fish are biting. We're talking about targeting some of the most sought-after species in the Crystal Coast waters - Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Black Drum, Sea Trout, and those gorgeous Redfish that make this area famous. With room for up to 3 anglers, this trip keeps things intimate so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized attention from your guide.
This PM trip is all about variety and action. We'll head out into Beaufort's productive inshore waters where the channels, grass flats, and structure hold different species throughout the afternoon. Your captain will read the conditions - wind, tide, and what's been biting - to put you on the best spots. The beauty of a mixed bag charter is you never know what's going to hit your line next. One minute you might be fighting a hefty Black Drum in the deeper holes, the next you could be sight fishing for tailing Redfish in the shallows. The afternoon timing works perfect because it lets us target fish that are more active as the day cools down, especially during warmer months when morning trips can get pretty toasty. Plus, there's something special about being on the water as the light starts to change - it's when a lot of these species really turn on.
We'll have you rigged up with the right tackle for whatever we're targeting. For the Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish, we're typically trolling small spoons and diving plugs, or casting jigs when we find them busting bait on the surface. Black Drum fishing means dropping bottom rigs with cut bait - these bruisers like crab and shrimp fished right on the structure. Sea Trout respond well to live shrimp under popping corks or soft plastics worked along the grass edges. And for Redfish, it depends on what we find - if they're cruising shallow, we'll sight cast with spoons or soft baits, but if they're holding deeper, we'll fish cut bait on the bottom. Your captain will handle all the rigging and teach you the techniques as we go, so whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been at it for years, you'll pick up some local knowledge that'll serve you well on future trips.
Spanish Mackerel are absolute blast to catch and they're thick in these waters from late spring through early fall. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and they'll test your drag when they make their smoking runs. They're aggressive feeders and once you find a school, the action can be non-stop. What makes them special here is the numbers - Beaufort's waters are right in their wheelhouse, and they love the baitfish that stack up around our inlets and nearshore structure. Bluefish are another crowd favorite, especially the bigger "chopper blues" that show up in fall. These toothy predators are pure aggression and they'll hit just about anything you throw at them. They typically range from 2-8 pounds in our waters, and they're excellent table fare when handled properly - bleed them quick and keep them cold.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of this mixed bag, with fish commonly running 3-15 pounds and the occasional monster pushing 30-plus. They're bottom dwellers that love structure, and once you hook one, you'll know it - they pull like freight trains and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. These fish are year-round residents, but they really stack up in the cooler months around oyster bars and bridge pilings. Sea Trout, or "Specks" as locals call them, are probably the prettiest fish you'll catch on this trip. They're speckled silver and gold, typically 1-4 pounds, and they're incredibly good eating. They love grass flats and drop-offs, and they can be finicky - sometimes you need to finesse them with light tackle and natural baits.
Redfish are the crown jewel of North Carolina inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 3-8 pounds in our slot size, and they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the ocean. What makes Redfish special is their versatility - they'll eat everything from live bait to artificials, and they're found everywhere from shallow grass to deep channels. In Beaufort waters, they're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up in big numbers. The sight fishing opportunities for Reds in the skinny water around here are world-class - watching one cruise up and crush your bait in two feet of crystal clear water never gets old.
This half-day PM charter with Reel Tight Adventures gives you everything you want in a Beaufort fishing trip - variety, action, and local expertise that puts you on fish. The intimate 3-person capacity means you're not fighting for space or attention, and the afternoon timing is perfect for those who want to fish but still have time for other activities. Whether you're looking to check multiple species off your list, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just get out there and bend some rods, this mixed bag approach delivers. The Crystal Coast waters around Beaufort are some of the most productive in North Carolina, and our captains know how to make the most of every trip. Don't wait - good fishing and perfect weather don't always line up, so grab your spot and get ready for an afternoon of quality angling in one of the state's premier fishing destinations.
Get ready to chase mixed bags in Beaufort's productive inshore waters aboard our reliable 2017 Seahunt 22-footer. This center console bay boat handles like a dream with its Yamaha 200HP pushing you to the hotspots where striped bass, redfish, black drum, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel are biting. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need stealth for spooky fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure and schools. Built for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of casting room and comfort for your afternoon hunt. Whether you're working the grass flats for reds or hitting deeper channels for stripers, this Seahunt delivers the performance and stability you need to make the most of your PM fishing time in North Carolina's coastal paradise.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they'll test your tackle when they decide to run. These gray-black fish typically weigh 5-30 pounds, though we see some monsters pushing 50-60. They love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around structure where they can crunch crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What makes them special? They're strong fighters that make those signature drumming sounds, and smaller ones under 15 pounds eat really well. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom, keep your bait still, and when you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let that drag work and they'll tire themselves out.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive feeders that'll hit hard and fight dirty - exactly what makes them fun to target. These blue-green bruisers typically run 3-10 pounds but can push 20. They travel in schools and go on feeding frenzies that turn the water into a washing machine. You'll find them from spring through fall around here, hitting bait schools near the surface. They prefer open water but move into bays and estuaries chasing food. What guests love: explosive strikes and non-stop action when you find a school. The meat's great if you bleed them right away and ice them down fast. Pro tip: when you see birds working and water churning, get your metal spoons ready - blues will attack anything that moves, and they've got teeth, so watch your fingers.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, and those distinctive black spots near the tail make them unmistakable. These copper-colored fighters typically range 20-35 inches, with the slot fish being perfect table fare. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. They're here year-round but really turn on during spring and fall. What makes them special: powerful runs, that distinctive "thump" when they take the bait, and excellent eating. Plus, watching them cruise the shallows is pure excitement. My go-to strategy: use live or cut bait on the bottom near structure, or throw topwater lures early morning for explosive surface strikes.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Specks as we call them, are one of the prettiest fighters in our waters with those distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their delicate mouths making every hookset count. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods. What guests love: they're cooperative biters with excellent table fare - that white, flaky meat is hard to beat. They school up in winter, making for steady action. My advice: use light tackle and soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. Work it slow and steady, and when you feel that soft tap, set the hook gently - their mouths tear easily.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter around Beaufort, hitting speeds that'll surprise you. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds, though they can get bigger. You'll find them schooling near the surface from late spring through fall, especially around structure and bait schools. They love our warm waters and migrate through here seasonally. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great grilled or smoked, and when you hook into a school, the action gets crazy fast. My tip: when you see birds diving, get there quick - Spanish Macs will be slashing through baitfish below, and they'll hit just about anything shiny you throw at them.
Beaufort