Full Day Guided Fishing in Eastern North Carolina
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounderExpert local guides provide full-day fishing experienceSmall group capacity of 3 guests maximum
Eastern North Carolina's inshore waters are a fishing paradise, and this 8-hour charter with Wicked East Charters puts you right in the heart of it all. You'll fish alongside experienced local guides who know these waters like the back of their hand, targeting some of the region's most sought-after species including redfish, flounder, speckled trout, striped bass, and sheepshead. With just three anglers max, you get personalized attention and prime spots at the rail. This isn't your typical crowded party boat - it's an intimate day on the water where every cast counts.
Your day starts early, meeting your captain at the dock as the sun begins to paint the eastern sky. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to really work different areas without feeling rushed. Your guide will adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. Expect to move between grass flats, oyster bars, creek mouths, and deeper channels throughout the day. The smaller group size means you're not fighting for space or waiting your turn - when fish are feeding, everyone gets in on the action. Your captain provides all the tackle, bait, and local knowledge you need. All you need to bring is your fishing license, sunscreen, snacks, and drinks for the day.
Eastern North Carolina's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to the conditions. Your guide will have you working everything from live shrimp under popping corks for speckled trout to bouncing soft plastics along oyster bars for redfish. Depending on the season and tide, you might be sight fishing in skinny water or working deeper structure with bottom rigs. The region's extensive marsh system creates perfect nursery habitat, and the mix of fresh and salt water keeps baitfish active year-round. Expect to use both light spinning tackle and conventional gear, with your captain switching up techniques as you move from spot to spot. The key here is versatility - what works on one flat might not work on the next.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate inshore prize, and Eastern North Carolina serves up some true doormat opportunities. These flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey. Fall months from September through November offer the best shot at trophy flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning migration. What makes landing a big flounder so special is the fight - they're bulldogs that use every inch of their flat profile to resist coming to the surface. Plus, there's nothing quite like watching a big flounder materialize from what looked like empty bottom.
Striped Bass, locally called rockfish, are another customer favorite that keeps anglers coming back. These fish are built for power, with broad shoulders and an attitude to match. Spring and fall see the best action as stripers move through the area in schools. They're aggressive feeders that will crush everything from live bait to topwater plugs. The 18-28 inch fish common in these waters provide excellent table fare and memorable fights on light tackle.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish on your target list, but they're worth the effort. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure like dock pilings and oyster bars, using their human-like teeth to crunch crabs and barnacles. They're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites, but once you figure out their game, they're addictive to target. Plus, sheepshead are outstanding eating with firm, white meat.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and canine teeth are active year-round, though spring through fall offers peak action. Specks are school fish, so when you find one, there are usually more around. They're aggressive enough to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk, but finicky enough to keep you thinking. The 15-20 inch fish common here fight well above their weight class.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Eastern North Carolina's waters hold some impressive bulls and slot fish. These copper-colored fighters are known for their powerful runs and stubborn nature. Reds feed in surprisingly shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root around oyster bars and grass flats. The sight of a redfish's tail waving above the surface gets every angler's heart racing. They're also one of the most reliable species, feeding actively in a wide range of conditions.
Eastern North Carolina's inshore fishery is world-class, and this full-day charter gives you the best shot at experiencing it properly. With experienced guides, top-notch equipment, and access to prime fishing grounds, you're setting yourself up for success. The 8-hour format lets you really get into the rhythm of the fishery without feeling rushed, and the small group size ensures personalized service throughout the day. Whether you're after your first redfish or chasing a personal best flounder, this trip delivers the authentic Eastern North Carolina inshore experience. Book now and get ready to see why local anglers guard these waters like family secrets.
Jump aboard the 22' Chawk, a serious fishing machine built for North Carolina's coastal waters. This 2020 vessel packs a reliable 150 Suzuki that'll get you to the best redfish and flounder spots at a smooth 40 knots. The boat handles beautifully whether you're working shallow grass flats or deeper structure where the bigger fish hide. You'll have room for up to 3 anglers to spread out and fish comfortably without getting tangled lines. The GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. VHF radio means you're always connected for safety and can catch reports from other boats about where the bite is happening. Perfect setup for targeting those chunky redfish cruising the shallows or working structure for keeper flounder. The Chawk cuts through chop nicely and runs shallow enough to access those back-country honey holes where the fish feel safe. Clean, well-maintained boat that's ready for serious fishing action in Eastern NC waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, with that distinctive copper-bronze color and black spots near the tail. Most run 18-32 inches around here, though we see plenty of bruiser bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs show - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed heavily, but we catch them year-round. What makes reds special is that heart-stopping moment when you spot their backs cruising the shallows, plus they fight like freight trains. The meat on slot-sized fish is fantastic too. Pro tip: approach quietly and cast well ahead of cruising fish. A gold spoon or topwater plug worked slowly will usually seal the deal. Watch for nervous water and tailing fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are bread-and-butter fish here, averaging 14-18 inches with that beautiful spotted pattern along their silver sides. They cruise grass flats and shallow waters around oyster bars and creek mouths, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall provides steady action, with dawn and dusk being magic hours when they feed aggressively in 2-4 feet of water. What makes them fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their respectable fight on light tackle. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky meat - just don't overcook them. The key is working soft plastics or live shrimp under popping corks around grass edges. Listen for that distinctive "pop" when they hit - it's one of the sweetest sounds in fishing. Move quietly and keep your presentations natural.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with those distinctive black and white stripes, usually weighing 2-8 pounds around here. These crafty fish hang tight to structure - dock pilings, jetties, and oyster beds where they feed on barnacles and crabs with their human-like teeth. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up around inlets and passes. Anglers love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves with a delicate bite, but the reward is some of the sweetest, flakiest white meat you'll find. The trick is getting your fiddler crab or shrimp bait right against the structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Use a sensitive rod tip and stay ready - they'll steal your bait in a heartbeat if you're not paying attention.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are our most popular flatfish around these parts, typically running 15-18 inches and weighing 3-5 pounds. These masters of camouflage lie buried in sandy and muddy bottoms of our shallow bays, inlets, and around structure like docks and oyster bars. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them special is watching that explosive strike when they ambush your bait - plus they're hands down some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using live finger mullet on a Carolina rig and working it slow right along the bottom near structure. They'll often just inhale the bait, so stay alert for that subtle weight.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the ultimate gamefish for our area, with most fish running 20-30 pounds though we see plenty of trophies over 40. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes love structure - bridge pilings, jetties, and drop-offs where they hunt baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're actively feeding in our sounds and nearshore waters. What keeps folks coming back is that powerful fight and those explosive topwater strikes at dawn and dusk. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, flaky white meat. Here's a local secret: when you see birds working over bait schools, get there fast but approach quietly. Use live menhaden or large topwater plugs and hold on tight when they hit.
North Carolina