Half Day Inshore Fishing Trip - Carolina Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and mackerelCaptain Ray Dixon provides six years of local expertiseSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
If you're looking to get on the water for some serious inshore action in Carolina Beach, Captain Ray Dixon's 5-hour guided trip with Rip N Lips Charters delivers exactly what you're after. This morning departure gives you prime fishing time when the fish are most active, targeting some of North Carolina's most sought-after species including Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Spanish Mackerel. With 6 years of local experience under his belt, Captain Ray knows these waters like the back of his hand and tailors each trip to match your group's skill level. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore game, this trip hits the sweet spot for productive fishing in comfortable, familiar waters.
Your morning starts early when you meet Captain Ray at the dock in Carolina Beach. The beauty of this 5-hour trip is that you're not rushed - there's plenty of time to hit multiple spots and really work the areas where fish are holding. Ray runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed, moving from shallow grass flats to deeper channels and structure depending on conditions and what's biting. The boat accommodates up to 3 anglers, so you're never fighting for space or dealing with crowded rails. Expect to cover different water types throughout the morning, from sandy bottoms where flounder ambush baitfish to grass beds where trout and redfish cruise for easy meals. The pace is steady but not frantic - you'll have time to enjoy the scenery, learn about the local ecosystem, and actually connect with the fish you're targeting rather than just burning through spots.
Captain Ray provides all the gear you'll need, and he's dialed in the right tackle for Carolina Beach's inshore fishery. You'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods that handle everything from 14-inch trout to bull reds with authority. The techniques vary depending on target species and conditions - expect to throw live bait on Carolina rigs for flounder, work soft plastics around grass edges for trout, and maybe troll spoons or cast metal for mackerel when they're schooled up. Ray's approach is educational, especially for newer anglers. He'll show you how to read the water, explain why certain baits work better in different situations, and help you develop the feel for detecting subtle bites. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish one hour and working a deep channel for flounder the next. All bait, tackle, and licenses are included, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks for the trip.
Spanish Mackerel are absolute rockets when they hit, and Carolina Beach's nearshore waters see consistent runs of these aggressive feeders from late spring through early fall. These fish typically run 1-3 pounds but make up for size with pure speed and acrobatics. They school up around structure and baitfish, often creating surface commotion that's visible from a distance. What makes them so exciting is their willingness to hit fast-moving lures and their immediate, blistering runs when hooked. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to bring dinner home.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as many call them, are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to demolish anything that swims overhead. Carolina Beach flounder typically range from keeper size at 15 inches up to genuine doormats pushing 8+ pounds. The bigger fish are usually found in deeper water near inlets and channels, while smaller fish patrol the shallows. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the challenge - they're notorious for short strikes and require patience to hook consistently. But when you connect with a big one, the head-shaking fight and the satisfaction of outsmarting such a clever predator makes it all worthwhile.
Sea Trout, specifically Speckled Trout, are probably the most consistent biters in the Carolina Beach inshore scene. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted sides are found year-round, though the bigger "gator trout" show up more often in cooler months. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, oyster bars, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Speckled trout are perfect for learning proper inshore technique because they're willing biters but still require some finesse. The 2-4 pound fish provide steady action, while the occasional 6+ pound specimen keeps things interesting.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Carolina inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are what dreams are made of. Red drum range from slot-sized fish around 20-27 inches up to massive bull reds that can stretch past 40 inches and weigh 30+ pounds. The smaller slot fish are found in shallow water, often tailing in grass beds or cruising shoreline structure. Bulls are typically found in deeper water but move shallow during certain tidal conditions. What sets redfish apart is their power - even a modest 5-pound red will test your drag and make multiple runs. They're also incredibly beautiful fish with their bronze coloring and distinctive black spot near the tail.
Freshwater Drum might seem like an odd inclusion on an inshore saltwater trip, but these hard-fighting fish are actually found in the brackish waters around Carolina Beach, particularly near river mouths and in the lower Cape Fear River system. These silver-sided scrappers are incredibly strong for their size and provide excellent light-tackle action. They're often overlooked by anglers focused on more glamorous species, but drum are willing biters and genuine fighters that'll surprise you with their tenacity.
This 5-hour morning
Get ready to hit the productive inshore waters of Carolina Beach aboard Captain Ray's 2022 Carolina Skiff! This nimble 21-foot fishing machine packs serious punch with its 115HP Yamaha engine, cruising smoothly at 27 knots to get you to the best fishing spots fast. Built for serious anglers, this boat handles Carolina's coastal waters like a dream while keeping your small group of up to 3 comfortable during those long battles with redfish and speckled trout. The Carolina Skiff's shallow draft design lets Captain Ray navigate tight inshore areas where the big drum like to feed, while the stable platform gives you solid footing when that Spanish mackerel makes its run. Whether you're working live bait around structure or casting lures in the grass flats, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting. Perfect for families or friends who want authentic Carolina coastal fishing without the crowds.
Aplodinotus GrunniensWhile we're primarily saltwater focused here at Carolina Beach, freshwater drum occasionally show up in our brackish areas where rivers meet the sound. These bottom-dwellers average 10-14 inches and are known for the grunting sounds males make during spawning season - that's why they're called "croakers" locally. They prefer deeper channels with muddy or sandy bottoms around 8-20 feet, feeding heavily on clams and crabs. Spring through early summer offers the most consistent action when they move into shallower areas. What's unique about drum fishing is their steady, determined fight rather than flashy runs. They're decent eating, though not as popular as our other targets. The best approach is bottom fishing with cut shrimp or crab pieces - these fish have strong pharyngeal teeth for crushing shells, so don't be surprised by the solid bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species, easily spotted by those distinctive black spots near their tails. Most fish we catch run 18-32 inches, perfect slot-size fish that put up serious fights in shallow water. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing or cruising reds in skinny water - it's like hunting with a rod. They're great table fare too, with firm white meat. The trick that never fails me is using a gold spoon worked slowly over grass beds. When you see that copper flash following your lure, resist setting the hook too quick - let them fully commit to the bite.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, averaging 14-18 inches with those distinctive black spots scattered across their sides. They stick to grass flats and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and drop-offs. Best action happens during cooler months when water temps drop, though early morning and evening bites are solid year-round. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit topwater plugs - nothing beats that explosive surface strike at dawn. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky meat. In winter, they school up in deeper channels around 15-20 feet. The local trick that works every time is using a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the cork noise draws them in and the shrimp seals the deal.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-3 pounds on average here off Carolina Beach. You'll spot their silver bodies with yellow spots when they're schooling near the surface, especially from late spring through fall. These speedsters love our nearshore waters around 20-40 feet, often feeding around structure or bait schools. What makes them fun to target is their lightning-quick strikes and initial runs - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we catch, with white, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. My go-to trick is using small silver spoons or gotcha plugs trolled just fast enough to stay on top. When you see birds working, get there quick - that's usually Spanish mac feeding time.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms here at Carolina Beach. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but can surprise you with doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They love hanging around structure in 10-30 feet of water - inlet mouths, ledges, and oyster bars are prime spots. Fall fishing from September through November is when they really turn on before their offshore migration. What guests love about flounder fishing is the subtle bite and the challenge of reading bottom structure. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. The key trick I share is using a slow drift with live finger mullet or minnows on a circle hook - let them run with it a few seconds before setting the hook, since they grab baitfish sideways first.
Carolina Beach