Pamlico Sound Spring Inshore Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Spring inshore fishing targets redfish and speckled trout.Captain Zach provides expert guidance for all skill levels.Halfday and fullday options accommodate up to four guests.
Captain Zach knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in one of North Carolina's most productive inshore fisheries. When spring rolls around, Pamlico Sound comes alive with hungry redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and more species moving into the shallows to feed. You'll fish from a well-equipped center console that handles these waters perfectly, with room for up to four anglers. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting started with saltwater fishing, Captain Zach tailors each trip to your group's experience level. The boat's loaded with quality tackle, and you'll get hands-on instruction that actually helps you become a better angler. Pack your snacks, drinks, and camera – and don't forget that North Carolina fishing license.
Pamlico Sound is a massive estuary system that creates perfect habitat for inshore species, and spring is when things really heat up. Captain Zach runs trips from Belhaven, putting you right in the heart of some of the best fishing water on the East Coast. The sound's shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths hold fish year-round, but spring brings warmer water temperatures that trigger feeding activity. You'll spend your day working different structure and cover, from submerged grass beds where trout love to ambush baitfish to shallow flats where redfish cruise and tail. The center console gives you access to water other boats can't reach, and Captain Zach knows exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. Expect to move around and try different techniques – that's how you learn the water and consistently catch fish.
Captain Zach provides all the gear you need, from light spinning tackle perfect for trout and flounder to heavier setups when you're targeting bigger redfish. You'll fish with live bait, artificial lures, and whatever's working best on any given day. Spring fishing often means throwing soft plastics on jig heads around structure, working topwater lures early and late in the day, or fishing live shrimp under popping corks. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one cast you might be working a spoon through a school of spanish mackerel, the next you're pitching a crab to tailing redfish in two feet of water. Captain Zach will show you how to read the water, understand what different fish are looking for, and adjust your presentation accordingly. The hands-on instruction means you're not just catching fish – you're learning skills that will make you more successful every time you hit the water.
Spanish mackerel show up in numbers when the water warms, and these aggressive feeders provide fast action on light tackle. They're typically 1-3 pounds of pure energy, hitting spoons and small jigs with authority. What makes them special here is how they school up around bait pods – when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. The fight is electric on spinning gear, and they're excellent table fare when handled properly. Spring is prime time as they move into the sound to feed on the abundant baitfish.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predator, lying in wait on sandy bottoms near structure. These flatfish can surprise you with their size – a good spring flounder might push 3-5 pounds or more. They're masters of camouflage, but Captain Zach knows the spots where they set up to ambush prey. Working a live minnow or soft plastic along the bottom near creek mouths and drop-offs is the key. When a flounder hits, you'll feel that distinctive thump, and the fight includes some impressive head shakes.
Sheepshead are the bait stealers that will test your patience and skill. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing crabs and barnacles off structure. They're abundant around oyster bars and docks, but they're notorious for nibbling bait without getting hooked. When you do connect with a good sheepshead, you've earned it – they're strong fighters and make excellent eating. Spring is when they're most active in the shallows.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Pamlico Sound fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots love the grass flats and can be caught on everything from live shrimp to artificial lures. A good spring trout might run 2-4 pounds, with the occasional bigger fish that will surprise you. They're aggressive feeders when conditions are right, and working a topwater lure over a grass flat on a calm morning is about as good as inshore fishing gets.
Redfish are the prize that keeps anglers coming back. These copper-colored bruisers can range from schooling puppy drum to bull reds that will test your drag system. Spring brings reds into shallow water where you can sight-fish to them – there's nothing quite like watching a 30-inch redfish inhale your lure in clear water. They're powerful fighters that use their broad tails and stubborn nature to give you a real battle. The slot-size fish make excellent eating, while the big bulls provide catch-and-release action you won't forget.
Spring fishing in Pamlico Sound offers some of the year's best action, with multiple species active and weather that makes being on the water a pleasure. Captain Zach's local knowledge and quality equipment give you the best shot at a successful trip, whether you choose a half-day sampler or full-day adventure. The personalized instruction means you'll learn something new regardless of your experience level, and the four-person limit ensures everyone gets plenty of fishing time. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so book with confidence knowing you've secured your spot for what could be the best fishing day of your spring. The fish are there
Captain Zach's center console is built for serious spring fishing on Pamlico Sound. The 200hp Yamaha pushes this boat to 50 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast when redfish and speckled trout are biting. A wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly through shallow water without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure where the action happens. The boat handles four anglers comfortably with room to fight fish and move around. Whether you're casting to redfish in the grass or working trout over oyster bars, this setup gives you the speed to cover water and the stealth to get close when it counts. Perfect for targeting North Carolina's coastal favorites during prime spring conditions.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target with their copper sides and distinctive black spots near the tail. These powerful fish range from 18-35 inches in our waters, with the bigger "bull reds" putting up legendary fights. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Spring through fall offers consistent action when they're actively feeding on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. What guests love most is watching these fish tail in skinny water and the bone-jarring runs when hooked. They're also excellent eating in the slot size range. The secret is staying quiet, making accurate casts to feeding fish, and using cut bait or live shrimp on light tackle. Once you hook one, hold on tight - they'll make multiple blistering runs.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Pamlico Sound fishing, with their spotted sides and aggressive appetite. Most run 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though spring often brings some nice "gator trout" over 4 pounds. They hang around grass flats, drop-offs, and structure in 3-12 feet of water, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall are peak times when they're feeding heavily on shrimp and baitfish. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight well for their size, and make fantastic table fare with tender, flaky meat. They'll take live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. My favorite trick is working a shrimp under a popping cork near grass beds during the last two hours of incoming tide - that's when the magic happens.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with distinctive black bars and human-like teeth that crunch barnacles off pilings. These chunky fighters typically run 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, living around any hard structure they can find. Spring is prime time when they move inshore to spawn around docks, bridges, and oyster bars. What makes them special is their notorious bait-stealing ability and strong fight once hooked. They're also top-notch table fare with sweet, firm white meat. The challenge is their light bite - they'll nibble bait clean off your hook if you're not paying attention. Best tip I can give is use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep your bait tight to structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that lie flat on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout the sound. These flatfish typically range 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, though bigger ones show up regularly. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in the substrate, waiting for baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to swim by. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most active in shallow water near drop-offs and channel edges. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and the excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The key is slow presentation with live or cut bait right on the bottom. My go-to trick is using a Carolina rig with mullet or shrimp, dragging it slowly across likely spots until you feel that distinctive thump.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that make spring trips exciting. These silvery speedsters typically run 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches, with yellow spots along their sides. They travel in schools near the surface, often around structures and drop-offs in 10-40 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're actively feeding on baitfish and shrimp. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strikes and strong runs - they'll hit spoons, small jigs, and live bait with authority. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your bait in the water - where there's one Spanish mackerel, there's usually a whole school ready to bite.
North Carolina