Private 4-Hour Winter Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore fishing charter aboard 26' Pathfinder vesselTarget redfish and speckled trout in Cedar Point marshesFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to 6 guests with expert captain
Cedar Point's winter fishing season is something special, and Captain John knows exactly where to find the action. From December through April, these North Carolina waters come alive with hungry fish staging in deeper holes and along protected shorelines. Your private 4-hour charter aboard our 26-foot Pathfinder puts you right in the middle of it all, with room for up to six anglers and enough space to fish comfortably without bumping elbows.
We'll launch early and head straight to the productive spots where winter fish like to hang out. The marshes, creeks, and river mouths around Cedar Point hold fish year-round, but winter concentrates them in predictable areas. You'll be fishing structure, drop-offs, and current breaks where redfish, speckled trout, and other species ambush baitfish. Captain John runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – he's been working these waters for years and knows how to put you on fish while making sure everyone has a good time. The Pathfinder handles beautifully in these protected waters, giving us access to shallow flats and deeper channels where different species prefer to feed.
We'll be running light to medium tackle appropriate for the target species and conditions. Most of our fishing happens with live or cut bait on the bottom, but we'll also throw artificials when the fish are aggressive. Expect to use circle hooks for the bigger stuff like redfish and sheepshead, while the trout and weakfish often prefer smaller presentations. Captain John provides all the gear, but if you've got your own favorite rod and reel setup, bring it along. We'll adjust techniques based on what's working – some days the fish want slow-rolled soft plastics along the bottom, other days they're crushing topwater plugs over grass beds. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety, and winter patterns can change from spot to spot.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Cedar Point's winter fishery. These copper-colored bruisers school up in deeper water during cold months, often stacking in channels and around structure. A good winter red runs 18 to 30 inches and fights like a freight train, peeling drag and making long runs. They're feeding heavily on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish, so we'll match the hatch with our bait selection. What makes redfish so exciting is their power – they hit hard and don't give up easy.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are another winter favorite. These beautiful spotted fish love the cooler water and often feed in predictable patterns around grass beds and drop-offs. Winter specks average 14 to 20 inches, with some real trophies pushing 25 inches or better. They're finicky eaters, so presentation matters, but when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Their soft mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but that delicate fight is part of the appeal.
Sheepshead show up around any hard structure during winter months, especially around docks, pilings, and rock piles. These black and white striped convict fish are notorious bait thieves, but once you get the hang of detecting their subtle bites, they're addictive to target. Winter sheepshead run 12 to 18 inches typically, with occasional slabs pushing 20 inches. They're excellent table fare and provide a fun challenge with their light bites and strong runs.
White weakfish, or just "weakfish" to most anglers, are a pleasant surprise when they show up. These silver-sided cousins to the speckled trout can grow quite large and provide excellent sport on light tackle. They're not always present, but when conditions are right, they school up and feed aggressively. A good weakfish runs 16 to 24 inches and has a distinctive soft mouth that requires careful handling.
Bluefish round out our target species list, especially during the early and late parts of the season. Winter blues in our area are typically smaller "cocktail blues" ranging from 12 to 18 inches, but they make up for their size with attitude. They school up and feed aggressively, often creating surface commotion that's visible from a distance. Blues hit hard and fight dirty, making them fun on light tackle even if they're not the biggest fish in the cooler.
Winter inshore fishing in Cedar Point offers some of the most consistent action of the year, with fewer boats on the water and fish concentrated in predictable areas. This private charter gives your group the flexibility to target what's biting and spend time learning techniques that work in these waters. Captain John's local knowledge and years of experience fishing these same spots mean you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in winter patterns or a family wanting to experience North Carolina's top-rated inshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Book your dates now – the winter bite won't last forever, and the best fishing days fill up fast.
Our 26'2" Pathfinder HPS is built for serious inshore fishing around Cedar Point's productive waters. This reliable boat cuts through choppy conditions with ease, powered by a smooth Yamaha 300 HP 4-stroke that gets you to the fishing grounds fast and quiet. The spacious deck gives all six anglers plenty of room to work, whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in shallow grass flats or drifting for speckled trout along oyster bars. Captain John relies on the onboard fish finder to locate schools and structure, while GPS navigation pinpoints those honey holes in the maze of creeks and marshes. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those warm Carolina afternoons. This boat handles everything from skinny water backcountry spots to deeper channel edges where the big fish cruise.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters during the cooler months, typically weighing 3-10 pounds with their distinctive blue-green backs and razor-sharp teeth. They travel in schools and hunt in shallow bays, around structure, and near baitfish schools. These fish are absolute fighters - they'll hit lures hard and make strong runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent when bled and iced quickly, with a rich flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. Winter and early spring are prime times here when they're feeding heavily before moving north. Pro tip: use wire leaders because those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat, and keep your fingers clear when handling them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore game fish, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most of ours run 18-30 inches and are built like bulldozers - thick, powerful fish that make blistering runs in shallow water. You'll find them tailing in 1-3 feet around oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats, especially during moving tides. They're year-round residents that fight hard and taste great, with firm white meat perfect for blackening. Winter months can be exceptional when they school up in deeper creeks. Pro tip: sight-fishing is the game here - look for their bronze backs or tails sticking up, then cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, usually running 12-18 inches with beautiful spotted sides and a golden sheen. They love grass flats, creek edges, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially where current brings them food. These fish are active year-round but really turn on during cooler weather when they school up in deeper holes. They're scrappy fighters for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is finding the right depth - they suspend at different levels depending on water temperature. Best local tip: work soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork around dawn and dusk, and don't be afraid to fish the deeper creek channels during winter when they stack up thick.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black bars over gray bodies, typically running 2-5 pounds around our docks and pilings. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure, so you'll find them tight to any hard bottom - bridges, oyster bars, jetties. These fish are notorious bait thieves with light mouths, but once hooked they make strong runs using their broad sides. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the inshore waters. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're spawning and grouped up. My go-to trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get right on the structure, and set the hook fast when you feel that subtle tap-tap.
Atractoscion NobilisWhite weakfish, part of the drum family despite the name, are solid inshore fighters that average 3-7 pounds in our area. Look for them around grass beds, creek mouths, and sandy flats in 3-15 feet of water where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. These fish have soft mouths but make good runs, and they're great table fare with mild, white meat. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening feeds are best. They communicate with croaking sounds you can actually hear underwater. Key tip: use light drag settings because those soft mouths tear easily, and try suspending live shrimp or soft plastics in the middle of the water column where they typically feed.
Greenville