Afternoon North Carolina Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in coastal watersExpert guides accommodate both experienced and novice anglersSixperson capacity inshore fishing along North Carolina coast
Nothing beats an afternoon on North Carolina's inshore waters, where the fish are biting and the scenery never gets old. Our afternoon charters with Southern Tides put you right in the heart of some of the East Coast's most productive fishing grounds. You'll be targeting the big five – black drum, sheepshead, sea trout, redfish, and tripletail – in waters that have been treating anglers right for generations. We keep groups small at just six people max, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and room to work your lines without bumping elbows. The afternoon bite can be absolutely phenomenal here, especially when the tide's moving and baitfish start schooling up in the shallows.
Your afternoon starts with a quick rundown of the day's game plan and safety brief before we head out into North Carolina's maze of creeks, flats, and grass beds. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're working a shallow flat for redfish, the next you're dropping baits around structure for black drum. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand, reading the tides, wind, and baitfish movement to put you on the best spots. You'll spend your time moving between productive areas, adjusting techniques as conditions change. The afternoon sun gives you great visibility into the water, perfect for sight fishing when the opportunity presents itself. Weather permitting, we'll hit multiple spots to maximize your chances with different species.
We fish these inshore waters with a mix of live bait, cut bait, and artificials depending on what's working best. Light to medium tackle is the name of the game – you want enough backbone to handle a big red drum but light enough to feel every bump from a sneaky sheepshead. Our guides provide all the gear, from spinning reels spooled with appropriate line weights to a full selection of hooks, sinkers, and leaders. You'll learn how to work soft plastics through grass beds, present live shrimp around structure, and read the subtle differences between a pickup and bottom contact. We typically fish depths from two to fifteen feet, working everything from oyster bars and creek mouths to deeper channel edges where the big drum like to cruise.
Black drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and North Carolina's got some real bruisers. These fish love working around oyster bars and bridge pilings, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish with ease. Spring and fall are prime time for the big spawning fish, some pushing forty pounds or more. What makes them special is the fight – they're bulldogs that'll test your drag and your patience. You'll feel that distinctive thump-thump as they shake their heads, and landing one always feels like an accomplishment.
Sheepshead are the finicky feeders that'll keep you on your toes. These black-and-white striped beauties hang around structure like dock pilings and rock piles, picking at barnacles and crabs with their human-like teeth. They're notorious bait stealers, requiring a delicate touch and lightning-fast hook sets. Peak season runs from late winter through spring when they move inshore to spawn. Once you get the hang of their subtle bites, sheepshead become addictive – they're excellent table fare and provide a technical challenge that seasoned anglers appreciate.
Sea trout, or specks as locals call them, are the bread and butter of North Carolina inshore fishing. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, often feeding aggressively in schools. They hit artificials with authority and make great eating when kept within slot limits. Fall and spring offer the best action, though you can find them year-round in the right conditions. What's exciting about trout fishing is the variety of techniques that work – from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics bounced along the bottom.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore angling, and North Carolina's population is thriving. These copper-colored fighters are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn nature near the boat. You'll find them tailing in shallow water, cruising grass flats, or ambushing baitfish along creek edges. The sight fishing opportunities for reds are world-class here, especially during the warmer months when they move into skinny water. Their aggressive nature makes them willing to hit everything from live bait to noisy topwater plugs.
Tripletail are the wildcards that can make any trip memorable. These oddly-shaped fish float like debris near channel markers, crab pot floats, and other surface structure. They're ambush predators with incredible camouflage abilities, often going unnoticed until you're right on top of them. Summer months offer the best chances, and they're known for their acrobatic fights and excellent eating quality. Finding tripletail requires a keen eye and patience, but hooking one is always a highlight of any charter.
Southern Tides Fishing Charters delivers the kind of afternoon fishing adventure that keeps anglers coming back to North Carolina's waters year after year. With expert local guides, top-notch equipment, and access to some of the most productive inshore fishing on the East Coast, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, target specific species, or just enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the water, this charter has you covered. The six-person limit ensures you'll get the personalized attention you deserve, and our guides' knowledge of local waters gives you the best shot at a memorable day. Don't wait – the fish are biting, the weather's looking good, and your spot on the water is just a phone call away.
This 24-foot Carolina Skiff cuts through North Carolina's inshore waters with authority, powered by a reliable 175HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at 40 knots. Built in 2019, she's designed for serious anglers who want comfort and performance while chasing redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the shallow coastal waters. The spacious layout easily handles up to six fishermen with room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up. Modern GPS keeps you on course to the hottest spots, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools hiding in the grass flats and creek mouths. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working structure for specs, this Carolina Skiff delivers the shallow-water access and stability you need for productive days on North Carolina's productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweight champions of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. You'll find them in brackish waters around structure - think bridge pilings, creek mouths, and shallow bars. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes drum special is their incredible fight and that distinctive drumming sound they make. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab bait and keep it right on the bottom - these guys are serious bottom feeders and won't chase anything suspended in the water column.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature fish of our shallow water game, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 18-30 inches, but we regularly see 40+ inch bulls that'll test your tackle. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster beds, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their power and the sight fishing opportunities they provide. Plus, the slot-sized fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The secret is working the shallow edges during moving tides and being ready with topwater plugs or live bait. When you see that red flash in skinny water, your heart rate jumps every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good structure like oyster bars. They're most active during spring and fall, with night fishing producing some fantastic action in summer. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - tender, white meat that's hard to beat. They can be found from super shallow water down to deeper channels, especially in winter when they school up. The key with trout is working grass flats during moving water and using lighter tackle. Try a popping cork with live shrimp or throw soft plastics on a light jighead - they love anything that mimics the shrimp and small fish they feed on.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of North Carolina waters, sporting black bars over silver-gray bodies and human-like teeth that'll make you do a double-take. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we see some pushing 20 pounds around heavy structure. They live tight to pilings, docks, jetties, and any barnacle-covered structure where they feed. Early spring through fall gives you the best shots at them. What draws people to sheepshead is their notorious reputation as bait thieves - they'll test your reflexes and patience. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: get your bait as close to structure as possible and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They'll steal your bait if you hesitate even a second.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our more unique targets - odd-looking fish with three tail-like fins that can reach 40 pounds, though most run 2-13 pounds. They're masters of disguise, floating on their sides near weed lines, debris, or structure to mimic floating objects. Summer through early fall is prime time when they migrate through our waters. What makes tripletail special is their acrobatic fight despite their bulky build and their excellent table fare that rivals grouper. They're becoming popular with fly fishermen too. The trick is sight casting to them - once you spot one near the surface, cast well past it and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily, so stealth is key. Watch for that mottled shape floating near any kind of debris or weed line.
Cedar Point, NC