Half Day Advanced Fishing - Carolina Beach, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour advanced inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and mackerelCaptain Ray Dixon provides expert guidance for experienced anglersSmall group capacity of three guests ensures personalized attention
When you're past the basics and ready to step up your inshore game, Captain Ray Dixon's 5-hour advanced trip puts you exactly where you need to be. This isn't your typical tourist fishing charter - we're talking serious angling with a captain who's been working these Carolina Beach waters for years. You'll hit prime spots most weekend warriors never see, targeting Red Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, and Summer Flounder with techniques that separate the pros from the rest. With only 3 anglers max, you get the personalized attention and water time needed to really dial in your skills.
Captain Ray doesn't mess around with the touristy stuff - this trip is built for anglers who want to push their limits and land quality fish. You'll start early, hitting productive waters while the bite is hot. The 5-hour window gives you serious time to work different structures, from oyster bars to grass flats, depending on tides and conditions. Expect to cover water efficiently, moving between spots based on what's producing. The small group size means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn - when fish are hitting, everyone stays busy. Ray brings quality tackle suited for the techniques you'll be using, but experienced anglers often appreciate bringing their own preferred setups.
This trip focuses on refining the skills that consistently put fish in the boat. You'll work on precision casting to structure, proper jig presentation for different depths, and reading water conditions to predict where fish are holding. Ray emphasizes bait presentation techniques that trigger strikes from pressured fish - the kind of details that make the difference between okay days and banner trips. Live bait rigging, artificial lure selection, and adapting your retrieve based on species behavior are all part of the program. The captain's local knowledge shines when it comes to reading tide movements and positioning for maximum success, especially around the productive inlets and marshes that make Carolina Beach such a top-rated inshore destination.
Spanish Mackerel bring fast action and aggressive strikes that keep your adrenaline pumping. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds around Carolina Beach, with peak activity from late spring through early fall. They school up near structure and baitfish, making them perfect targets for both casting and trolling techniques. What makes them exciting is their speed and acrobatics - when a Spanish hits your lure, you know it immediately. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite among anglers who like to eat their catch.
Summer Flounder, or fluke, represent the ultimate test of bottom fishing skills. These flatfish range from keeper size at 15 inches up to trophy doormat proportions over 5 pounds. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand near structure, requiring precise bait placement and patience. The thrill comes from the subtle bite detection needed and the potential for landing a true wall-hanger. Peak season runs summer into fall, when they stage near inlets before their offshore migration.
Sea Trout, specifically Speckled Trout, are the bread and butter of Carolina's inshore scene. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots range from schoolie size up to gator trout over 5 pounds. They're structure-oriented and respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for honing different techniques. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, with fish feeding aggressively in grass flats and around oyster bars. Their willingness to hit topwater lures creates some of the most exciting strikes you'll experience.
Redfish, or Red Drum, are the prize every serious inshore angler wants to tangle with. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-size fish around 20 inches up to bull reds exceeding 40 inches and 30 pounds. They're incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag system and fighting technique. Carolina Beach's marshes and flats provide ideal habitat, especially during their fall spawning runs. The sight fishing opportunities when reds are tailing in shallow water create heart-pounding moments that define world-class inshore fishing.
Freshwater Drum might surprise you as a target species, but these hard-fighting fish provide excellent sport on light tackle. They're bottom dwellers that require different techniques than the other species, adding variety to your trip. While not as glamorous as redfish, drum fight exceptionally hard and help round out mixed bags when targeting multiple species.
If you're ready to take your inshore fishing to the next level, Captain Ray's advanced trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for. The combination of prime Carolina Beach waters, proven techniques, and personalized instruction creates the perfect environment for improving your skills while landing quality fish. With only 3 spots available, you get the focused attention needed to make real progress. Whether you're chasing personal bests or just want to fish with someone who knows how to put you on fish consistently, this trip represents outstanding value for experienced anglers. Book now and experience why Carolina Beach continues to be a customer favorite destination for world-class inshore fishing.
Captain Ray's 2022 Carolina Skiff is built for serious anglers who want to get after redfish, mackerel, and trout in Carolina Beach waters. This 21-footer runs on a reliable 115HP Yamaha that'll push you to the honey holes at 27 knots, getting you more time with lines in the water. With room for just 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work lures and fight fish without bumping elbows. The boat's shallow draft design lets Captain Ray slip into those skinny water spots where the big reds like to cruise. Perfect for experienced fishermen looking to dial in their technique and put some quality fish in the cooler during a focused half-day trip.
Aplodinotus GrunniensFreshwater Drum might not be the prettiest fish in our coastal rivers, but they're consistent biters that can surprise you with their size. These silver-sided bottom dwellers typically run 10-14 inches and 1-8 pounds, though the occasional 20-pounder will bend your rod. We target them in deeper holes and around structure where they cruise the bottom looking for crabs and mollusks. They're year-round fish but summer brings the best numbers. What guests like is the steady action - you can boat dozens in a session when you find a school. They're decent eating too, with white meat that's similar to their saltwater drum cousins. Here's my trick: use cut bait or crayfish tails on a Carolina rig and fish it right on bottom. These fish make a distinctive grunting sound, so listen for that rumble in your boat's hull.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target with their bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches around our waters, with slot fish being perfect table fare and the bigger bulls providing pure arm-burning fights. We hunt them in skinny water from 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is possible, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and powerful runs - they'll strip drag and make multiple blistering runs before giving up. The copper-colored backs make them easy to spot in shallow water. My go-to technique: throw a gold spoon or topwater plug just ahead of cruising fish and work it slowly. Stay quiet and make long casts - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are gorgeous fish with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though bigger "gator trout" push the scales higher. We find them around grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow structure, usually in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall offer the best action, with early morning and evening being prime time. They're popular because they fight well on light tackle and make excellent eating - their white, flaky meat is some of the best around. These fish are also willing biters on both artificials and live bait. Here's the key: work your lures slowly around the grass beds and use a popping cork with live shrimp. When the water's really shallow, you can sight-fish them - just stay quiet and make long, accurate casts.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are silver bullets with dark spots that'll test your reflexes. These speedsters typically run 1-2 feet and 2-8 pounds, traveling in schools near the surface. Around Carolina Beach, we find them over structure and open water from late spring through fall, with peak action in summer when water temps hit the sweet spot. They hit fast and fight hard with blistering runs that'll strip line quick. What makes them special is their table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. My tip: when you see birds working or bait jumping, get there fast and use small shiny spoons or live bait on light tackle. Keep your drag loose because these fish will snap you off in a heartbeat if you're not ready.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise - flatfish that blend perfectly with sandy bottoms while waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds are what keep anglers coming back. Around here, we target them on sandy flats, near structure, and around inlet mouths in 10-40 feet. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavy before their offshore migration. What guests love is the challenge - these fish require patience and feel like dead weight until they get boat-side, then they turn into thrashing dinner plates. The meat is excellent too - sweet, white fillets. Pro tip: use a circle hook with live minnows or strips, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook.
Carolina Beach