5.0(1 Reviews)Pamlico Sound Inshore Redfish & Trout Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half or full-day inshore fishing in Pamlico Sound's calm watersTarget redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and striped bass speciesAll skill levels welcome with expert guides and quality gear
Eastern North Carolina's Pamlico Sound is hands down one of the best inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast, and there's no better way to experience it than with UFO Charters. This protected waterway offers some of the most consistent redfish and speckled trout action you'll find anywhere, plus the chance to tangle with flounder and striped bass that call these waters home. Whether you're looking for a quick half-day trip or want to make a full day of it, Captain Zach knows exactly where to put you on fish. The calm waters make this perfect for families, first-timers, or seasoned anglers who want to focus on catching rather than fighting seasickness.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active, though late afternoon trips can be just as productive when the light starts to fade. The Pamlico Sound's shallow flats and grass beds create the perfect habitat for our target species, and Captain Zach has spent years learning every productive spot, drop-off, and structure that holds fish. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped boat that comfortably handles up to four anglers, so there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. The scenic backdrop of marshes and barrier islands makes for a relaxing day even when the fish aren't cooperating, but more often than not, you'll be too busy reeling in dinner to notice the view. All skill levels are welcome - if you're new to saltwater fishing, the captain will teach you everything from reading the water to setting the hook properly.
Inshore fishing in the Pamlico Sound is all about adapting to conditions and knowing what the fish want on any given day. You'll primarily be using light tackle spinning gear loaded with braided line for maximum sensitivity when working soft plastics around structure. Captain Zach provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need, including a variety of jigs, spoons, and live bait when available. Depending on the tide and weather, you might be sight-fishing shallow flats for tailing redfish, working deeper channels for stripers, or bouncing bottom rigs for flounder. The key is staying mobile and reading the water - one spot might be red-hot in the morning and completely dead an hour later. That's where local knowledge pays off, and Captain Zach knows exactly when to make the move to the next productive area.
"We just did our second trip with Zach excellent captain with a lot of knowledge of the area learned a lot and caught a lot will be back again" - Melissa
Summer flounder are the flatfish everyone dreams about catching, and the Pamlico Sound produces some real doormat specimens during peak season. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Summer flounder can reach impressive sizes - anything over 20 inches is considered a keeper, but the real trophies push 24 inches and beyond. They're most active during moving water, especially around inlets and channels where the current brings food. What makes flounder so exciting is the way they hit - often feeling like you're snagged on bottom until that head shake gives them away. The fight might not be spectacular, but the table fare is unmatched.
Striped bass bring serious pulling power to inshore waters, and the Pamlico Sound sees excellent runs during their seasonal migrations. These fish are pure muscle, known for long runs and stubborn fights that test your drag system. School stripers in the 18-24 inch range provide constant action, while bigger fish over 28 inches offer the kind of battle that makes your arms burn. They're structure-oriented fish that love current breaks, drop-offs, and areas where baitfish concentrate. Spring and fall offer peak action, but summer holdovers provide steady fishing for those who know where to look. Captain Zach targets them with everything from topwater plugs at dawn to deep-running spoons over channels.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Pamlico Sound fishing. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight with surprising strength for their size, making them perfect for light tackle fishing. Specks are most active around grass beds and oyster bars where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. The best fishing happens during low-light periods - early morning and late afternoon when they move shallow to feed. A 15-inch speck is a nice fish, but the Sound produces plenty of "gator trout" over 20 inches that provide heart-stopping strikes and blistering runs. They're also excellent table fare when kept on ice and cleaned properly.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Eastern North Carolina's waters hold some of the healthiest populations on the coast. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, with broad tails that generate incredible torque when they feel the hook. Reds are most exciting when found in shallow water where you can sight-cast to individual fish or small schools. The Pamlico Sound's grass flats and oyster bars provide perfect redfish habitat, and experienced guides know exactly when and where to find them. Slot-size reds between 18-27 inches provide excellent sport and great eating, while oversized fish over 27 inches are catch-and-release only but offer unforgettable battles that can last 10 minutes or more.
The Pamlico Sound delivers consistent fishing action throughout the warmer months, and UFO Charters provides everything you need for a successful day on the water. Captain Zach's local knowledge and commitment to putting clients on fish has built a loyal following of repeat customers who know they can count on a quality experience every trip. With only four anglers per boat,
Hit the productive waters of Pamlico Sound aboard our high-performance fishing machine powered by a reliable 200hp Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising up to 50 knots when conditions allow. This well-equipped inshore boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably while you target redfish, speckled trout, and other prized species in these shallow coastal waters. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip quietly into fishy areas without spooking your targets, while our GPS keeps us on productive structure and the fish finder helps locate schools holding in deeper pockets. Whether you're working the grass flats for reds or drifting oyster bars for specks, this boat delivers the speed to cover water and the stealth to get close when it counts.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Pamlico Sound, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches, though you might hook into a real bruiser pushing 40+ inches. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and late afternoon being prime time. What makes reds special is their fight - they'll strip drag and make powerful runs in shallow water. They're also great eating with mild, slightly sweet meat. My go-to technique is sight fishing with topwater plugs or gold spoons. When you spot one tailing, cast well ahead and work your lure slowly past them. Be patient - they'll investigate before striking.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Pamlico Sound fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches with some reaching 24+ inches during good years. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and channel edges in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Summer and early fall are prime time, though they can be caught year-round if you know where to look. What makes specks so popular is their willingness to bite and their delicate, sweet-tasting meat. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're consistent and fun on light tackle. The secret is matching your lure to the water depth - use topwater plugs in shallow grass, soft plastics on jigs around structure. Work your lures slowly and be ready for that distinctive trout bite - it's often just a gentle tick.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are one of the most exciting fish you'll encounter in Pamlico Sound, running anywhere from schoolie size up to 30+ pound bulls. These silver fighters with distinctive black stripes love structure - bridges, oyster bars, channel edges, and dropoffs in 6-25 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're chasing baitfish aggressively, but summer evenings can be fantastic too. What guests love about striped bass is their power - they'll make long runs and put a serious bend in your rod. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, flaky white meat. The key here is live bait when possible - nothing beats a lively menhaden or mullet. If you're using artificials, work topwater plugs early morning or late evening around structure. Watch for birds diving - that usually means stripers are pushing bait to the surface.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on Pamlico Sound's sandy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and can change colors to match their surroundings perfectly. You'll find them lying flat in 2-15 feet of water near channels, dropoffs, and around structure where they ambush passing baitfish. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're actively feeding before winter. What makes them special is that surprise factor - one second you're drifting over empty bottom, next you've got a strong fighter on the line. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or minnow and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0We just did our second trip with Zach excellent captain with a lot of knowledge of the area learned a lot and caught a lot will be...
North Carolina