Half Day Beginner Fishing Trip in Carolina Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour beginnerfriendly inshore fishing trip with expert guidanceTarget Red Drum, Speckled Trout, and Flounder in calm watersCaptain provides quality gear and patient instruction for new anglers
Looking to get your feet wet in the world of inshore fishing? Captain Ray Dixon and Rip N Lips Charters have put together the perfect introduction to Carolina Beach's legendary fishing grounds. This 5-hour adventure takes you into the calm, protected waters where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic, creating a fish-rich environment that's forgiving for newcomers but still delivers the action experienced anglers crave. With room for just three guests, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference when you're learning the ropes.
Your day starts at the Carolina Beach marina, where Captain Ray will walk you through the basics before you even step aboard. No need to worry about gear – everything from rods and reels to tackle and bait is provided and perfectly suited for the species you'll be targeting. The boat heads into the inshore waters around Masonboro Island and the nearby grass flats, areas known for holding fish year-round and offering protection from ocean swells. Captain Ray keeps things relaxed and educational, explaining how to read the water, spot fish activity, and perfect your casting technique. The pace is deliberately unhurried, giving you time to absorb each lesson and build confidence with every cast. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish bite and bottom structure, how to set the hook properly, and the art of fighting fish without losing them at the boat.
This trip focuses on light tackle fishing using both live and artificial baits, perfect techniques for beginners to grasp quickly. You'll start with simple bottom rigs using shrimp or cut bait, learning to feel when fish are nibbling and how to time your hook set. As your confidence grows, Captain Ray introduces you to casting artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons – essential skills for any serious inshore angler. The shallow water structure around Carolina Beach is ideal for sight fishing, where you'll learn to spot redfish tailing in skinny water or watch for nervous baitfish that signal predators below. Captain Ray provides spinning reels spooled with appropriate line weights, usually 15-20 pound test that's forgiving for beginners but strong enough to handle the area's bigger fish. You'll practice different retrieval techniques, from slow rolling soft baits along the bottom to burning spoons through schools of mackerel.
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect confidence-builder for new anglers, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and are most active during the warmer months from May through October. They school up around structure and baitfish, making them relatively easy to locate and catch once you find them. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they put up a scrappy fight that gets your heart pumping without being overwhelming for beginners.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the masters of camouflage and provide a completely different fishing experience. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms and ambush prey, requiring patience and technique to catch consistently. Carolina Beach's inlet and nearby channels hold good numbers of keeper-size flounder from spring through fall. They typically range from 15-25 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing 5-6 pounds. Landing your first flounder teaches you to distinguish subtle bites from structure, making you a better overall angler.
Sea Trout, particularly the speckled variety, are probably the most sought-after inshore species in North Carolina waters. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and prominent canine teeth are found around grass beds and oyster bars throughout the year, though they're most active in spring and fall. Specks in the 14-20 inch range are common, with trophy fish over 24 inches always a possibility. They're known for their soft mouths, teaching new anglers the importance of steady pressure rather than horsing fish to the boat.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that can top 40 inches and 30 pounds. Red drum are year-round residents but are most active during the fall months when they school up for their spawning runs. They're incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag system and arm strength, but they're also surprisingly willing to eat a variety of baits. Catching your first redfish is a rite of passage that hooks many people on inshore fishing for life.
Freshwater Drum might seem like an odd inclusion, but these often-overlooked fighters are commonly caught in the brackish waters where the Cape Fear River influences salinity levels. They're strong, determined fighters that many anglers mistake for redfish initially. Drums can reach surprising sizes, with fish over 10 pounds not uncommon in Carolina Beach waters. They're excellent eating and provide great action when other species are being finicky, making them a welcome addition to any fishing trip.
This top-rated beginner trip with Rip N Lips Charters fills up quickly, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather cooperates. Captain Ray's patient teaching style and the small group size create the perfect learning environment that's helped countless first-time anglers fall in love with fishing. Whether you're looking to try something new, planning a family bonding experience, or want to build skills before tackling more challenging fishing adventures, this Carolina Beach trip delivers the goods. The combination of productive waters, quality instruction, and diverse target species makes it a customer favorite that keeps people coming back season after season. Don't wait – book your spot and discover why Carolina Beach is considered one of the East Coast's premier inshore fishing destinations.
Get ready to hit the Carolina Beach waters aboard Captain Ray's sleek 2022 Carolina Skiff! This 21-foot fishing machine packs serious punch with its 115HP Yamaha engine, cruising smooth at 27 knots to get you to the best inshore spots quickly. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, this boat is built for comfort and fishing success. The shallow draft design lets Captain Ray navigate those prime redfish flats and trout holes that bigger boats can't reach. With plenty of deck space for casting, built-in rod holders, and easy movement around the boat, even first-time anglers will feel confident working the lines. The reliable Yamaha keeps you moving efficiently between fishing spots, while the stable Carolina Skiff platform gives you the steady base you need for setting hooks and landing fish. Whether you're targeting speckled trout in the grass beds or hunting redfish in the shallows, this boat delivers the perfect blend of speed, stability, and fishing functionality for an awesome day on the water.
Aplodinotus GrunniensWhile we focus on saltwater species here at Carolina Beach, it's worth noting that Freshwater Drum are inland fighters found in rivers and lakes. These silver-sided fish average 10-14 inches and 1-5 pounds, spending most of their time near the bottom hunting for snails and crayfish. They're called "drum" because males make grunting sounds during spawning season in spring. What's unique is they're one of the easiest freshwater fish to catch - some anglers land 50+ in a day. They put up a decent scrap on light tackle and are surprisingly good eating when prepared right. The key is fishing bottom with natural baits like nightcrawlers or crayfish tails in clear, shallow areas with some vegetation nearby.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters - bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, but oversized bulls can push 40+ inches. These copper-backed fighters love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet. They bite year-round, but fall brings the best action as baitfish concentrate in the shallows. What guests love is their power - redfish make long, drag-screaming runs and never give up easy. They're also great eating when kept in the slot. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish on shallow flats during moving tides.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are beautiful fish with golden sides covered in black spots and a distinctive spotted dorsal fin. They typically run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for light tackle fun. You'll find them around grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow structure in 2-8 feet of water. They're active year-round here, but spring and fall offer the best action when water temps are in the 60s and 70s. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - few things beat a trout exploding on a popping cork at sunrise. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat. Local trick: fish the moving water around creek mouths and cuts between grass beds. Trout use these highways to ambush baitfish.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are sleek, fast-moving fish that run 1-3 pounds on average, though bigger ones push 5-6 pounds. You'll spot them by their silver bodies with distinctive yellow spots along the sides. These speedsters love our nearshore waters, especially around structure and grass flats in 10-30 feet. Spring through fall is prime time, with late summer being particularly hot when they school up near the surface. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and blistering runs - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, flaky white meat that's perfect on the grill. My tip: when you find one, stick around. They travel in schools, so where there's one Spanish, there's usually more nearby.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise - flat, bottom-dwelling fish that can change color to match the sand. Most run 15-20 inches and 2-4 pounds, though doormat-sized fish over 6 pounds make your day. They love sandy bottoms near structure, drop-offs, and inlet mouths in 8-25 feet of water. Fall is prime time, especially September through November when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are crafty and require patience. But the payoff is worth it - flounder are some of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, delicate white meat. Pro tip: when you feel a subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
Carolina Beach