Half Day Old Drum Chase in Beaufort Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning fishing charter targeting Old Drum starting 7 AM.Inshore waters around Beaufort with experienced local guides aboard.Small group capacity of 3 guests for personalized fishing experience.
There's something special about hitting the water at first light in Beaufort, NC, especially when you're after Old Drum. Our half-day morning trip kicks off at 7 AM sharp, giving you the perfect window to target these legendary redfish when they're most active. You'll be fishing some of the most productive inshore waters on the Crystal Coast, where the Beaufort Inlet meets miles of pristine marshland and grass flats. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip - we're talking about real angling in waters that have been producing trophy redfish for generations. With just three anglers max, you get personalized attention and prime positioning for the best shots at these copper-colored beauties.
We launch from downtown Beaufort and head straight into prime redfish territory. The morning bite is legendary here, and there's good reason for that - redfish are ambush feeders that love to prowl the shallows as the sun comes up. You'll be fishing the back country marshes, oyster bars, and grass flats that make this area famous among serious anglers. The water clarity in the morning is usually spot-on, giving you those heart-stopping moments when you can actually see a big red cruising toward your bait. Our boat is rigged specifically for inshore work, with a shallow draft that lets us get into places the big boats can't reach. We keep the group small at three anglers because that's the sweet spot for everyone to get quality fishing time without crowding each other out. The scenery is a bonus - wild horses on Shackleford Banks, historic Fort Macon, and miles of untouched marshland that looks exactly like it did 200 years ago.
We fish multiple techniques depending on what the fish are telling us that morning. Live bait is king here - we're talking finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp that we'll either drift over structure or anchor up and fish under popping corks. When the reds are tailing in the shallows, we switch to sight fishing with artificial lures like gold spoons and soft plastics. Our tackle is all top-shelf stuff - medium-heavy spinning rods with smooth drags that can handle a 30-inch bull red without breaking your back. We use 20-30 pound braid with fluorocarbon leaders, because these fish have seen every trick in the book. The key is reading the water and adjusting on the fly. Some mornings they want bait sitting still on the bottom near oyster bars, other days they're chasing schools of bait fish in open water. Water temperature, tide movement, and wind direction all play into where we set up. That's where experience pays off - knowing which spots produce when conditions line up just right.
The redfish action in Beaufort has been absolutely lights-out this year. We're seeing consistent catches of slot-size reds in the 18-27 inch range, with plenty of over-slot bulls mixed in for those drag-screaming fights. The best action typically happens on the first two hours of the incoming tide, when these fish push up into the shallows to feed. Water temperatures in the 65-75 degree range seem to be the magic zone - warm enough to keep them active but not so hot they get sluggish. Redfish here average between 3-8 pounds for the keepers, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 15-20 pound bull that will test every bit of your tackle and technique. These fish are notorious for their initial run toward structure, so be ready for a fight. The copper and bronze coloration of Beaufort reds is particularly striking - they seem to have more vibrant colors than reds from other areas along the coast. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but we catch them year-round when you know where to look.
Redfish are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are perfectly designed for the shallow, structure-rich waters around Beaufort. They've got that distinctive black spot near their tail and a mouth built for crushing crabs and shrimp along the bottom. What makes redfish so special is their fighting style - they don't jump like a tarpon, but they pull like a freight train and use every oyster bar and grass bed to try to break you off. The slot limit here is 18-27 inches, which means you can keep the perfect eating-size fish while releasing the big breeders. Redfish spawn from August through October, and during this time the big bulls group up in massive schools near the inlets. A 10-pound red will give you a 10-minute fight, guaranteed. They're also one of the smartest inshore species - they learn to avoid heavily fished areas and can be incredibly finicky about bait presentation. That's what makes catching them so rewarding. In Beaufort's waters, they feed heavily on blue crabs, shrimp, and small bait fish, which is why live bait fishing is so effective here.
This half-day morning trip is our customer favorite for good reason - you get prime fishing time, experienced guidance, and you're back to shore by lunch with stories to tell. The 7 AM start time isn't just for show; it's when these redfish are most active and when you have the best shot at multiple hookups. With only three spots available per trip, we book up fast, especially during peak season from April through November. The personalized attention you get with a small group makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Whether you're new to redfish angling or you've been chasing them for years, our local knowledge gives you the edge you need to make the most of your time in Beaufort. Don't wait until you're here to book - the best fishing dates fill up weeks in advance, and you don't want to
Step aboard our reliable 2017 Seahunt 22-foot center console for your morning hunt targeting Old Drum in Beaufort's productive inshore waters. This nimble bay boat handles shallow flats and deeper channels with ease, powered by a dependable Yamaha 200HP that gets you to the fish quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip into position without spooking wary redfish, while our GPS keeps us on productive spots and the fish finder reveals what's lurking below. With space for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of room to work your lines and land that trophy red drum. The center console design gives everyone clear access to the action whether we're sight-casting to tailing fish or working structure along the marsh edges. Built tough for Carolina's coastal conditions, this Seahunt delivers the stability and performance serious anglers demand when chasing Old Drum around Beaufort's legendary fishing grounds.
Beaufort