Tarpon, Trophy Redfish & Bluefish Adventure
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Target 100+ pound tarpon using artificial lures and fliesTrophy redfish and jumbo bluefish fishing opportunities includedPrivate 8hour backcountry charter for two guests maximum
When you're looking for world-class fishing action in North Carolina waters, this 8-hour private charter with Capt. Gary puts you right in the thick of it. We're talking about the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound – some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast. This isn't your typical tarpon trip where you're sight-casting to single fish like down in Florida. Here, we're working schools and bait pods where the action can get absolutely wild. You'll have shots at massive tarpon that average over 100 pounds, plus trophy redfish and jumbo bluefish that'll test your drag system. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and prime positioning for every hookup.
This is a full-day commitment that pays off in spades. We launch early and stay out for eight solid hours, giving us time to work multiple spots and adapt to changing conditions. The Neuse River system is huge, and Capt. Gary knows every productive hole, channel edge, and structure that holds fish. You might start the morning working artificial lures around creek mouths where tarpon are rolling, then switch gears mid-day to target bull redfish in the shallows. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity – one cast you're hooked up to a 40-pound redfish, the next you're fighting a tarpon that's jumping six feet out of the water. The boat stays comfortable even on long runs, and there's plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up with your fishing partner. Bring your own snacks and drinks since meals aren't included, but trust me, you'll be too busy fishing to think much about eating.
Here's where Capt. Gary really shines – he's developed techniques that consistently produce when traditional bait fishing falls flat. We're throwing artificials and flies to fish that most guides are still trying to catch with live bait. For tarpon, we use large paddle-tail swimbaits and topwater plugs that create enough commotion to pull fish up from deep water. The fly fishing approach is particularly effective during the morning and evening hours when tarpon are more active near the surface. You'll be casting to schools and working over bait pods rather than sight-fishing to individual targets. For the big redfish, we switch to spoons and soft plastics that can handle the strong currents and deeper water these bull reds prefer. The bluefish action often happens while we're targeting the other species – these bruisers hit hard and fight dirty, often cutting through lighter leaders if you're not prepared. All tackle is provided, but if you've got favorite rods or reels, bring them along.
The tarpon that call the Neuse River home are absolute monsters. We're talking fish that regularly push 100 to 150 pounds – thick, powerful fish that have been feeding in these nutrient-rich waters all summer. Unlike their southern cousins, these tarpon are more aggressive and less spooky, making for better hookup ratios when you get your technique dialed in. The trophy redfish here are what we call "bull reds" – mature fish that have moved out of the shallow grass flats into deeper channel edges and structure. These fish average 30 to 45 pounds and fight like freight trains, using the current and their bulk to test your equipment. The jumbo bluefish are bonus fish that show up throughout the day, often in massive schools that create feeding frenzies. When you hook into a 15-pound bluefish on light tackle, you'll understand why they're such a respected gamefish. These aren't the small "snappers" you might catch from a pier – these are full-grown, hard-fighting fish with teeth that can cut through carelessness in a heartbeat.
Tarpon are the stars of the show from mid-July through mid-September, and for good reason. These silver kings average over 100 pounds in the Neuse River system, making them some of the largest tarpon you'll encounter north of Florida. What makes them special here is their aggressive feeding behavior – they're not just rolling and sunning like in some fisheries, they're actively hunting baitfish and hitting lures with authority. The jumps are spectacular, often clearing the water completely multiple times during a fight. The best action typically happens during moving tides when baitfish get concentrated in current breaks and channel edges.
Bull redfish in this system are legendary among serious anglers. These mature reds have left the shallow flats behind and taken up residence in deeper water where they feed on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. They're incredibly strong fighters that use every trick in the book – long runs, sudden direction changes, and bulldogging deep when they get close to the boat. The average size runs 30 to 45 pounds, but fish over 50 pounds are caught regularly. They're most active during the first two hours after sunrise and the last two hours before sunset, though we catch them throughout the day when conditions are right.
Jumbo bluefish might be the most underrated gamefish in these waters. We're not talking about the small blues you catch from shore – these are mature fish that can exceed 15 pounds and fight with the intensity of a much larger fish. They school up in massive numbers during feeding periods, creating some of the most exciting fishing you'll experience. Their teeth are razor sharp, so we use heavy leaders, but their speed and aggressiveness make them a blast on appropriate tackle. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly, unlike their smaller coastal cousins.
This top-rated charter books up fast during prime tarpon season, and for good reason. You're getting eight hours of expert guidance on some of the most productive big fish waters on the East Coast, with techniques that consistently outperform traditional
The 2023 K2 Marine 210 Frontier Bay Boat is your perfect platform for chasing NC's legendary tarpon, trophy redfish, and jumbo bluefish in the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. This 21-foot bay boat handles shallow water like a dream while giving you the stability needed when a 100+ pound silver king goes airborne. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're positioning over bait schools or working structure for bull reds. With GPS navigation and fish finder onboard, you'll spend more time fishing and less time searching. The VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and bite reports. Built for two anglers, there's plenty of room to work lures or handle fly rods without bumping elbows. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or working artificials over tarpon schools, this bay boat puts you right where the action happens in North Carolina's premier inshore fishery.
Pomatomus SaltatrixJumbo bluefish in our area are aggressive feeders that put up a serious scrap. These blue-green predators typically run 5-15 pounds here, with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They roam open water and channel edges, chasing schools of menhaden and other baitfish. Summer into fall is when they're most active, especially during moving water. Guests love the fast action - when blues are feeding, it's usually non-stop. They're also excellent eating when handled right, though the bigger ones have stronger flavor. One thing I always tell folks: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon. Those teeth will slice through regular line like butter, and nothing's worse than losing a good fish to a bite-off.
Sciaenops OcellatusBull redfish in our waters are serious fish - we're talking 30-40 inch bruisers that'll test your gear. These copper-colored fighters love shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where they cruise looking for crabs and baitfish. You'll spot them by their distinctive black spots near the tail. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active in 2-4 feet of water. What guests love is the visual fishing - watching these big backs cruising the shallows before making your cast. They fight hard and taste great if you keep a legal one. Pro tip: when you see them tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are. Let them find the bait naturally.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are the real deal - we're talking 100+ pound fish that'll jump clear out of the water when hooked. In the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound, our tarpon run from mid-July through mid-September, feeding in groups rather than singles like down in Florida. They prefer deeper channels and around bait schools in brackish water. What makes them special? That first jump when you set the hook - pure adrenaline. Plus, landing a fish that's been around since the dinosaurs never gets old. Here's the thing most folks don't know: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. Keeps that line slack so they can't throw the hook as easy.
Greenville