Full Day Inshore Fishing in North Carolina
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, and flounderExplore North Carolina's grass flats, creeks, and oyster barsFull-day charter accommodates up to six guests comfortably
When you're looking for the real deal in North Carolina inshore fishing, Southern Tides Fishing Charters delivers an authentic 8-hour adventure that puts you right in the heart of our coastal waters. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a proper full-day fishing trip where you'll have time to work different spots, adjust tactics, and really get into the rhythm of the water. With up to 6 anglers on board, there's plenty of room to spread out and fish comfortably while targeting some of the most sought-after species along our coast. You'll be working miles of North Carolina shoreline, from productive grass flats to winding creeks and oyster-studded structure that holds fish year-round.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how serious anglers like it. We'll be covering serious ground across North Carolina's inshore waters, hitting everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper creek channels where big trout stack up during moving tides. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility – if the fish are biting in one area, we can stay and work it thoroughly. If they're not cooperating, we've got time to relocate and try different tactics. You'll be fishing around oyster bars that create perfect ambush points for feeding fish, working creek mouths where baitfish get funneled during tide changes, and covering expansive grass flats where you can sight-fish to tailing redfish. The variety keeps things interesting, and the extra time means we can adapt to conditions and fish behavior throughout the day.
Inshore fishing in North Carolina requires reading water, understanding structure, and matching your presentation to what the fish want. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on conditions and target species. Soft plastics rigged on jig heads work fantastic around oyster bars and grass edges, while topwater plugs can produce explosive strikes during dawn and dusk periods. When we're working deeper creek channels, we might switch to live shrimp or finger mullet under popping corks to target speckled trout. The key is staying versatile – some days the fish want a slow presentation dragged along the bottom, other days they're aggressive and hitting fast-moving baits. Structure is everything in inshore fishing, so you'll learn to identify productive oyster bars, grass bed edges, and creek bends that consistently hold fish. Tide timing plays a huge role too, and we'll position ourselves to take advantage of moving water that gets baitfish active and predators feeding.
Redfish are the crown jewel of North Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can push 30+ inches and provide some of the most memorable fights you'll experience in shallow water. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish cruising grass flats and oyster bars in water so shallow you can watch them inhale your bait. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight – once hooked, they'll use every oyster bar and grass bed to try breaking you off. The sight-fishing opportunities are world-class, especially during warmer months when you can spot their tails and backs in skinny water.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of North Carolina inshore fishing. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that school up in deeper creek channels and along grass bed edges. Peak season runs from late spring through early winter, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to impressive 5+ pound gator trout. What anglers love about specks is their willingness to hit artificials – a well-placed soft plastic or topwater plug can trigger vicious strikes. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers looking to take home dinner.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes, with doormat flounder over 20 inches providing fantastic fights and excellent eating. Summer and early fall are prime time, when flounder move into shallow creeks and around structure to feed. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the technique – you're often bouncing baits along the bottom, feeling for that distinctive pickup that signals a flounder has grabbed your offering. The fight might not be flashy, but landing a big flounder is always satisfying.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with mature fish capable of reaching 40+ pounds. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars and structure, where they use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best black drum action as fish move shallow to spawn, though keeper-sized drum can be caught year-round. The appeal of black drum fishing lies in their size and power – hooking into a big drum means you're in for a sustained battle that will test your tackle and technique.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped specialists that challenge even experienced anglers with their bait-stealing abilities. These structure-loving fish hang around oyster bars, pilings, and hard bottom, picking off crabs and barnacles with their human-like teeth. Winter through early spring offers peak sheepshead action, when fish school up in deeper water. What makes sheepshead fishing addictive is the challenge – they're notorious for stealing bait, so success requires precise presentation and lightning-fast hook sets. Landing a quality sheepshead feels like winning a chess match against one of the smartest fish in the water.
This full-day inshore fishing trip represents the best value for serious anglers who want to experience everything North Carolina's coastal waters have to offer. Eight hours gives you the time to really learn the water, try different techniques, and put together a memorable day on some of the East Coast
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with those beautiful spotted sides that give them their name. They love our grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow waters, especially at night when they move up to feed. Spring through fall provides consistent action, but summer evenings and early mornings are magic. They're scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so you need to play them carefully. The payoff is some of the best eating fish around - tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons. Here's what works: fish the grass edges on moving tide with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches down. Keep your drag light - their soft mouths tear easily, and you'll lose more fish being heavy-handed than anything else.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails are what inshore fishing is all about. Most run 18-27 inches, but we regularly see fish in the 30+ inch range that'll test your drag. They love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Fall and spring are prime, but they bite year-round here. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs, plus they're great on the table when kept in slot. They'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, topwater plugs, and soft plastics all work. The sight-fishing opportunities are fantastic too. My go-to tip: work the edges of oyster bars on moving water with a gold spoon or live shrimp under a popping cork. The bigger fish often hang just off the structure.
Pogonias CromisThese big, powerful fish are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. You'll recognize them by their dark gray to black color and the drumming sounds they make - that's how they got their name. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning around our oyster beds, shallow flats, and creek mouths. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for shellfish, so fresh crab, clams, and cut bait work best. Guests love the strong, steady fight they give - no flashy jumps, just pure power. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. Pro tip: use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom and be patient. When you feel them picking up the bait, give them a moment before setting the hook hard.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese crafty fish with human-like teeth are nicknamed "convict fish" for their black and gray stripes. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but the big ones can hit 20 pounds. You'll find them around any structure - docks, bridge pilings, oyster bars - where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and shellfish. Spring brings the best action when they're most active and aggressive. They're notorious bait thieves with delicate bites, making them a real challenge that keeps anglers coming back. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel them nibbling, set the hook hard and fast. They'll steal your bait if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms with both eyes on their left side. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 30+ inches. You'll find them in our shallow coastal waters, creeks, and around oyster bars year-round, but fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. They're ambush predators that hit live bait hard - mullet, bull minnows, and shrimp work best. What guests love most is the fight they put up and how good they taste on the table. My tip: use a drift rig with just enough weight to stay on bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Cedar Point, NC