Extended Half Day Inshore Fishing in Eastern NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderLocal expert guides provide access to top fishing locationsAccommodates up to three guests for personalized fishing experience
Six hours on Eastern North Carolina's productive inshore waters gives you serious time to dial in on the fish that make this coast legendary. With Wicked East Charters, you'll work the flats, channels, and structure where redfish cruise, speckled trout stack up, and flounder lay in ambush. This isn't a quick taste of fishing – it's a proper half-day charter that lets you settle into the rhythm of the water and really put your skills to work. Whether you're bringing the family for their first real fishing adventure or you're an experienced angler looking to add some quality Eastern NC fish to your logbook, this trip delivers the goods.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when you're chasing multiple species across different habitats. You'll start the day covering water efficiently, reading conditions, and adjusting tactics based on what the fish are doing right now – not what they were doing last week. The beauty of a six-hour trip is having time to work different spots without feeling rushed. Maybe you'll start shallow for redfish, then move to deeper structure for striped bass, or focus on grass flats where trout and flounder mix it up. The boat handles three anglers comfortably, so everyone gets plenty of casting room and personal attention from your guide. Expect to learn something new about reading water, adjusting your presentation, or working different baits – that's just how it goes when you fish with locals who live and breathe these waters.
Eastern North Carolina inshore fishing is all about adapting to conditions and matching your approach to what the fish want on any given day. Your captain will have rods rigged and ready, but the real skill comes in knowing when to throw topwater plugs over grass beds, when to work soft plastics along drop-offs, and when to slow down with live or cut bait. Sight fishing for tailing redfish gets your heart pumping, especially when you watch a big red track down your spoon or jig. Flounder fishing often means working structure methodically, bouncing baits along the bottom and feeling for that distinctive tap-tap-load up bite. Trout can be anywhere from shallow grass to deeper channels, and they'll tell you what they want – fast retrieves, slow bumps, or something in between. The boat's equipped with quality tackle suited for these species, plus your captain carries the local favorites – those specific lures and baits that consistently produce in these waters.
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewel of Eastern NC inshore fishing, and for good reason. Reds here range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to bull reds that'll test your drag and your patience. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but these fish feed year-round when conditions align. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat in shallow water where you can see the whole fight unfold. Watch a 25-inch red crush a topwater plug in two feet of water, and you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with these fish. They're smart, they're strong, and they'll make you work for every inch of line you gain back.
Southern Flounder: Doormat flounder are ambush predators that lie perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms, waiting for baitfish to swim within striking range. The good ones here run 16-24 inches, with occasional fish pushing even bigger. Summer into early fall typically produces the best flounder action, especially around structure, channel edges, and areas where current creates feeding opportunities. What hooks anglers on flounder fishing is the subtlety – you need to feel the difference between a fish pickup and bottom contact, then set the hook at exactly the right moment. Land a nice flounder and you've got one of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table.
Striped Bass: Stripers in these waters are aggressive feeders that school up around bait, creating some of the most exciting fishing you'll find on the East Coast. Fish here typically run 20-30 inches, with occasional larger fish mixed in during peak seasons. Spring and fall offer prime opportunities when water temperatures hit that sweet spot and baitfish are active. Striped bass fishing can go from slow to absolutely wild in minutes when you find a school working bait on the surface. These fish hit hard, fight harder, and will test your tackle with powerful runs that remind you why they're considered one of the premier gamefish on the Atlantic coast.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): Specks are the bread and butter of Eastern NC fishing, offering consistent action for anglers who know how to read grass flats and work the right presentations. Quality trout here run 14-20 inches, with gator trout over 20 inches being the fish that keep you coming back for more. These fish are active spring through fall, with summer offering some of the most reliable fishing when you target them early and late in the day. Speckled trout are perfect for light tackle fishing – they'll hit topwater plugs with impressive strikes, track down soft plastics with determination, and provide steady action that keeps everyone on the boat engaged throughout the trip.
Sheepshead: These black and white striped fish are the technical challenge that separates good anglers from great ones. Sheepshead have small mouths and a knack for stealing bait without getting hooked, earning them the nickname "convict fish" for both their stripes and their thieving ways. Fish here typically run 12-18 inches, with occasional larger specimens that really put up a scrap. Sheepshead fishing is at its best around structure during cooler months, when these fish move inshore to feed. What makes them special is the finesse required – you need to
Step aboard the 22' Chawk, your ticket to Eastern North Carolina's best inshore fishing spots. This 2020 fishing machine packs a reliable 150 Suzuki that'll cruise you to productive waters at speeds up to 40 knots, getting you to the fish faster and giving you more time with your line wet. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with GPS to mark those honey holes, VHF radio to stay connected, and a quality fish finder that'll show you exactly where the redfish and flounder are holding. With room for up to 3 guests, there's plenty of space to work the waters without bumping elbows. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in shallow grass flats or bouncing bottom for flounder around structure, this boat handles Eastern NC's diverse inshore waters with ease. The stable platform gives you confidence when fighting fish, and the modern electronics help you stay on top of the action all day long.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species with their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most of our fish run 18-30 inches, perfect for the slot limit, though we see big bulls over 40 inches too. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall. What makes them special is their aggressive topwater strikes and bulldogging fight - they'll make powerful runs and use their broad tail to their advantage. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My secret is to watch for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during moving tides. A gold spoon or topwater plug worked slowly will drive them crazy.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are beautiful spotted fish that make great table fare and fight well on light tackle. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch some nice "gator trout" over 5 pounds. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are best, with dawn and dusk being prime feeding times. In winter, they school up in deeper holes and channels. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit lures and their acrobatic jumps when hooked. The meat is tender and flaky - just don't overcook it. They're sight feeders that spook easily in shallow water. My tip is to work soft plastics or topwater plugs over grass beds early morning or late evening. Make long casts and work the bait slowly. When the water's calm, you can actually see them following your lure before they strike.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the ultimate structure fish with human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and crabs. These black-striped "convict fish" typically run 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but we occasionally see 15+ pounders around deeper structures. They're year-round residents that stick tight to docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered pilings. Spring spawning season brings the biggest concentrations. What makes them challenging and fun is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering before committing. The payoff is some of the best-eating fish in our waters, with sweet white meat. My trick is to get your bait right against the structure - within inches of the pilings. Use fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small hook, feel for the nibble, then set hard when you feel weight. They've got powerful jaws, so don't hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise that bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They're most active during cooler months from fall through early spring when they move into our shallow bays and creeks. You'll find them around structure like docks, creek mouths, and drop-offs in 2-10 feet of water. What makes them fun is their sneaky strike - they'll inhale your bait so fast you barely feel it. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My best tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, and watch your rod tip closely. When it starts bouncing, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to fully take the bait.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass are powerful fighters that'll test your drag system when they make their runs. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically range 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we catch smaller schoolies and bigger bulls too. They love structure - bridges, jetties, drop-offs - and moving water where baitfish get pushed around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're actively feeding. Summer finds them in deeper, cooler water. What guests love is their aggressive strike and strong fight - they'll make multiple runs and really bend the rod. The meat is fantastic, firm and flaky. They're not particularly fast swimmers, which works in our favor. My go-to technique is live bait like menhaden or eels near structure during moving tides. Early morning and late evening are prime times when they come up to feed.
North Carolina