Private 6-Hour Seasonal Inshore Cedar Point Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore fishing adventure aboard spacious 26-foot Pathfinder vesselTarget redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in scenic coastal watersFamily-friendly charter accommodates up to six guests with expert guide
Cedar Point's backwater maze is fishing gold, and this 6-hour seasonal charter puts you right in the middle of it all. From January through April, these waters come alive with hungry gamefish moving through our marshes, creeks, and protected bays. Captain John knows every oyster bar, grass flat, and drop-off that holds fish, and he's ready to put you on them. Our 26' Pathfinder gives you the perfect platform to work these shallow waters while staying comfortable all day long. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first redfish or you're a seasoned angler chasing a personal best speckled trout, this top-rated charter delivers the goods every single time.
Your day starts at the Cedar Point ramp where you'll meet Captain John and step aboard our spacious Pathfinder. This boat was built for inshore work – shallow draft, stable platform, and room for six anglers to fish without stepping on each other's lines. We'll cruise out through the scenic waterways, and trust me, the ride alone is worth it. These marshes change with every tide, and Captain John reads them like a book. Some days we're working the grass beds for trout, other days we're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water. The winter and spring months bring cooler temperatures but hungry fish, and that's when the real magic happens. You'll learn to read the water, understand tide movements, and pick up techniques that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends. Families love this charter because there's always something happening – even when the fish are slow, you're surrounded by dolphins, birds, and the kind of natural beauty that makes the Crystal Coast famous.
We fish light tackle here because that's what works best in these waters and gives you the most fun. Captain John provides all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, plus he's got live bait, fresh shrimp, and the artificial lures that produce day after day. You'll learn multiple techniques during your six hours – maybe starting with live bait fishing around structure for drum and redfish, then switching to artificial lures when we find active schools of trout. Sight fishing is huge here during the cooler months when the water's clear and fish are easier to spot. Captain John will position the boat perfectly and coach you through the cast, whether you're using a popping cork rig or throwing soft plastics. The shallow waters mean you're always close to the action, and the 26' Pathfinder's layout gives everyone room to cast without tangles. Don't worry if you're new to this – Captain John starts beginners with simple setups that catch fish, then gradually introduces more advanced techniques as your confidence builds. Experienced anglers appreciate his knowledge of seasonal patterns and willingness to try different approaches until we find what's working that day.
Bluefish are the aggressive bullies of these waters, especially during the cooler months when they school up and feed heavily. These fish hit hard and fight harder, making screaming runs that test your drag and your nerve. Winter blues average 2-4 pounds but don't let the size fool you – they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters you'll find inshore. They love cut bait and shiny spoons, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Kids especially love blues because they bite aggressively and fight all the way to the boat.
Black drum are the gentle giants of the inshore scene, and Cedar Point's waters hold some real bruisers. These fish can push 20-30 pounds and provide a completely different fight than the other species – steady, powerful, and determined. They're bottom feeders that love fresh shrimp and crab, often found around oyster bars and deeper creek bends. January through April is prime time for big drum, and landing one is a highlight for any angler. They're also excellent table fare when prepared properly, though many anglers release the larger breeding females.
White weakfish, also called sea trout by many locals, are making a strong comeback in these waters after years of careful management. These silvery fighters prefer cooler water temperatures, making the winter and early spring months perfect for targeting them. They school up in deeper creek channels and around structure, feeding on small baitfish and shrimp. When you hook into a good weakfish, you'll understand why they're called "weakfish" – their mouths are soft, so steady pressure is key. They're beautiful fish with distinctive canine teeth and make excellent eating.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These gorgeous fish with their spotted sides and yellow mouths are found throughout our grass flats and creek mouths. During the cooler months, they often school up in deeper holes and creek bends, making them easier to target consistently. Specks are perfect for light tackle fishing – they hit artificial lures readily, fight with multiple jumps, and are fantastic on the dinner table. Captain John knows exactly where to find them based on tide, temperature, and bait movement.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Cedar Point's waters hold some of the best red fishing on the entire Crystal Coast. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, strong, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive black spots. During winter and spring, you'll often find them in shallow creeks and around marsh grass, sometimes with their backs out of the water as they tail and feed. Sight-casting to a tailing redfish is one of fishing's greatest thrills, and when they take your bait, get ready for a drag-screaming fight. Reds are also excellent table fare, though many anglers release them to fight another day.
This world-class inshore charter books up fast, especially during the peak winter and spring months when the fishing is at its absolute best.
Our 26'2" Pathfinder HPS is built for serious inshore fishing along North Carolina's Crystal Coast. The reliable Yamaha 300 HP 4-stroke engine gets you to prime fishing grounds quickly and quietly, perfect for sneaking up on redfish in shallow water. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of speckled trout hiding in creek mouths, while GPS navigation ensures we hit every productive spot Captain John knows. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Carolina afternoons. The boat's shallow draft design lets us navigate tight marshes and backwaters where the big fish hide. Whether you're sight-fishing for reds or working structure for flounder, this Pathfinder handles it all with ease.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50-plus. These bottom-dwellers cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring fishing around spawning time is prime - they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. They're bulldogs on the rod, using their bulk and that big tail to wear you down. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are great table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish are better released. Fresh crab is king for bait, especially blue crab or fiddlers. Pro tip: fish right on the bottom and be patient - they're not speed demons but when they pick up your bait, you'll know it.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that arrive in our waters during spring and stick around through fall. These blue-green fighters typically run 3-10 pounds, though we see some pushing 15-20 pounds. They travel in schools and have razor-sharp teeth, so bring wire leaders. You'll find them attacking bait schools in open water and around structure. Their feeding frenzies are something to see - they'll keep hitting lures even when full. The meat's excellent when iced immediately, with a rich flavor that's perfect grilled. Best fishing happens during moving tides when bait is active. My tip: when you find one, work the area hard because where there's one bluefish, there's usually a whole school ready to bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - copper-colored bulldogs with that signature black spot near the tail. Most run 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds, though we see some real bulls over 40 inches. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh creeks in 1-6 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show. Spring through fall is prime time, but they bite year-round here. These fish fight hard, making long runs and using that big tail. The slot-size ones (18-27 inches) are excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. They'll eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, cut bait, spoons, topwater plugs. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and baitfish activity. When you see mullet jumping or birds working, there's usually redfish underneath pushing them up.
Salmo TruttaSea trout - what we call speckled trout around here - are some of the prettiest fish you'll catch inshore. These spotted beauties typically run 12-20 inches, though we see plenty of "gator trout" over 24 inches during cooler months. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and deeper channels in 3-15 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak times when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect pan-fried with some seasoning. They're ambush predators, so look for them around structure changes and drop-offs. Soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work well. Here's the key: don't horse them to the boat. Their mouths are soft, so keep steady pressure and let your drag do the work.
Atractoscion NobilisWhite weakfish, though more common in Pacific waters, occasionally show up in our North Carolina inshore areas during their migrations. These silvery members of the croaker family can reach impressive sizes - we're talking 20-40 inches and 10-30 pounds when you find a good one. They're strong fighters despite the "weakfish" name, known for their powerful runs and head-shaking battles. Look for them around structure in 10-30 feet of water, often suspended mid-column rather than tight to bottom. They feed heavily on squid, shrimp, and small baitfish. Spring and early summer offer the best chances when water temps are right. Live squid or large shrimp work well. My advice: use a medium-heavy setup because these fish will test your drag when they make their initial run.
Greenville