Premium Family Fishing Adventures on Carolina's Coast
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour family fishing trip targeting redfish and mackerelCaptain Ray Dixon provides patient guidance for all agesInshore waters near Carolina Beach accommodate three guests maximum
Looking for a fishing trip that works for everyone in your crew? Captain Ray Dixon's 5-hour family adventure out of Carolina Beach hits the sweet spot between action and relaxation. This isn't some high-pressure tournament style trip - it's designed from the ground up for families who want to enjoy the water together while putting some quality fish in the cooler. With space for up to 3 guests, you'll have plenty of room to spread out and help the kids with their lines without feeling cramped.
Captain Ray keeps things simple and stress-free, which is exactly what you want when you've got kids aboard. The boat launches from Carolina Beach, and within minutes you're working the productive inshore waters where Red Drum, Sea Trout, Flounder, and Spanish Mackerel call home. The pace stays relaxed - no rushing from spot to spot or pressuring anyone to perform. Ray's got decades of experience reading these waters and knows exactly where to put you on fish without wearing out the little ones. All the tackle is provided and easy to handle, so even first-timers can focus on having fun instead of wrestling with complicated gear.
This inshore fishing relies on light tackle that kids can actually manage. You'll be working with spinning reels loaded with 15-20 pound test, perfect for the size fish you're targeting. The approach varies based on what's biting - live shrimp under popping corks for trout and redfish, cut bait on the bottom for flounder, or small spoons and jigs for mackerel when they're schooling. Captain Ray handles all the rigging and bait prep, so parents can focus on helping kids instead of retying hooks every five minutes. The boat stays in protected waters most of the time, which means calmer seas and better fishing conditions for families.
Spanish Mackerel are absolute crowd-pleasers, especially with younger anglers. These silver speedsters hit hard and fight like fish twice their size, usually running 1-3 pounds with the occasional 4-pounder mixed in. They show up in good numbers from late spring through early fall, and when they're feeding, it's non-stop action. Kids love them because they bite aggressively and the fights are fast and fun.
Summer Flounder are the prize catch for many families on this trip. These flatfish can stretch over 20 inches and provide excellent table fare that even picky eaters will enjoy. They're ambush predators that lay buried in sand waiting for baitfish, so the bite tends to be subtle - perfect for teaching kids to feel the difference between a fish and the bottom. Peak season runs from May through September, with the bigger "doormat" flounder showing up in deeper water as summer progresses.
Sea Trout are consistent producers in these waters and fight with surprising strength for their size. Most run 14-18 inches, though the occasional "gator trout" over 20 inches keeps things interesting. They feed actively around grass flats and oyster bars, making them perfect targets for this style of fishing. Their spotted silver sides make for great photos, and they're excellent eating when prepared fresh.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore game fish - powerful, beautiful, and smart enough to test your skills. Carolina Beach's marshes and creeks hold good populations of "slot" reds in the 18-27 inch range, plus some oversized bulls that'll give you a workout. These copper-colored fighters use their broad tails to make strong runs, and spotting their distinctive black spot near the tail never gets old. They're catch-and-release over 27 inches, but the smaller ones are fantastic on the dinner table.
Freshwater Drum occasionally show up in the mix, particularly in areas where fresh and salt water meet. These underrated fighters are built like footballs and pull hard once hooked. While they might not win beauty contests, they're surprisingly good eating and provide excellent action for kids who want to feel a strong fish on the other end of their line.
This top-rated family fishing experience books up quickly, especially during peak season when the weather's perfect and schools are out. Captain Ray's patient teaching style and kid-friendly approach have made this trip a customer favorite among Carolina Beach fishing charters. Whether you're introducing the next generation to fishing or just want a relaxed day on the water that everyone can enjoy, this 5-hour adventure delivers the perfect blend of action and family time. The memories you'll make hauling in redfish and mackerel together are worth their weight in gold - and the fresh fish dinner afterward isn't bad either.
Captain Ray's 2022 Carolina Skiff is built for Carolina Beach's inshore waters, where families can chase redfish and mackerel without the big boat crowds. At 21 feet with a reliable 115HP Yamaha, this fishing machine cruises at 27 knots to get you on the fish fast. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, the boat's layout gives everyone room to cast and fight fish comfortably. Captain Ray keeps kid-friendly gear ready and knows the best spots for Red Drum, Trout, Flounder, and Spanish Mackerel. The shallow draft gets you into those productive backwater areas where bigger boats can't reach. Whether it's teaching the kids to bait hooks or helping land their first keeper, this setup handles family fishing trips with ease. Clean, well-maintained, and equipped for a solid day on Carolina Beach's productive inshore grounds.
Aplodinotus GrunniensFreshwater Drum might surprise you on our trips since they occasionally push into brackish areas around Carolina Beach. These silver, deep-bodied fish average 1-3 pounds and get their name from the grunting sound males make during spawning. They're bottom huggers, constantly rooting around for clams, crayfish, and worms in muddy or sandy areas. Summer brings the best action, though they bite year-round. Families appreciate how cooperative they are - no fancy techniques needed, just drop some bait to the bottom. While not the prettiest fish, they're decent eating when prepared right. Here's what I tell folks: use nightcrawlers or cut bait on the bottom, and don't be surprised if you catch several in a row - where there's one drum, there's usually more.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or Red Drum, are the kings of our shallow water fishing, averaging 20-30 inches with that signature bronze color and black spot near the tail. These bruisers love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges - sometimes in water so skinny their backs show. They bite year-round but fall and spring offer the hottest action when they school up. What makes them special for families is their strong fight and willingness to eat almost anything, plus they're fantastic on the table with firm, sweet meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing them in skinny water. Local tip: when you spot tailing redfish in the shallows, cast your shrimp or crab bait well ahead of where they're heading - these fish spook easily but the reward is worth the careful approach.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are gorgeous fish with silver sides covered in black spots that typically run 14-18 inches in our waters. Also called speckled trout, they're actually drum family, not true trout. You'll find them around grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow structure, usually in 2-8 feet of water. They bite year-round but really fire up in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. Families love targeting them because they're willing biters and excellent eating - tender, flaky meat with a mild flavor that even picky kids enjoy. Here's a local secret: fish the grass flats on an incoming tide with live shrimp under a popping cork. The sound draws them in, and you'll see that cork disappear when they hit.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-3 pounds around Carolina Beach, with their silver bodies and distinctive yellow spots making them easy to ID. These speedsters love our nearshore waters, especially around structure and bait schools in 15-40 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, but they really turn on when water temps hit the 70s. What makes them great for families is they bite readily on live bait and small lures, plus they're perfect eating - mild, flaky white meat that grills beautifully. Pro tip: when you see diving birds working bait, get your small spoons or gotcha plugs ready because there's likely a school of Spanish underneath those birds.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or "doormat" as we call the big ones, are masters of camouflage lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These fish typically run 15-20 inches but can hit 5+ pounds if you're lucky. They love structure like jetties, drop-offs, and channel edges in 10-30 feet of water. Fall months, especially September through November, offer the best action as they fatten up before heading offshore. Families love them because they fight well and make fantastic table fare - sweet, white fillets that are hard to beat. My go-to tip: use a slow drift with live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, wait a beat before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait.
Carolina Beach