Full Day Eastern NC Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderExpert local guides provide fullday fishing experienceSmall group capacity of 3 guests maximum
When you're looking for a serious day of inshore fishing in Eastern North Carolina, this 8-hour guided charter with Wicked East Charters delivers exactly what you're after. We're talking about a full day on some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast, where the sound systems, grass flats, and structure hold incredible populations of redfish, flounder, speckled trout, and more. With just 3 anglers max per trip, you'll get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and an outstanding one. Our local captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not just going to put you on fish – they're going to teach you why the fish are where they are and how to catch them consistently.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you hit one spot and call it quits. Eight hours gives us the luxury of really working these waters properly. We'll start early to take advantage of the morning bite, then adapt our game plan based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling us. Eastern North Carolina's inshore waters offer incredible variety – from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in knee-deep water to deeper channels where big flounder ambush baitfish. You might find yourself sight-fishing tailing reds one minute, then working soft plastics around oyster bars for speckled trout the next. The beauty of a full day is we can chase the bite as it changes throughout the day. Morning might be all about the grass flats, midday could have us working deeper structure, and the evening bite often fires up around the marshes. Our guides read the water constantly, watching for bait movement, bird activity, and subtle changes that signal where the next bite is going to happen.
We fish light tackle here – typically 7 to 7.5-foot medium action rods paired with quality spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid. This setup gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle redfish pickups and the backbone to turn big fish away from structure. Soft plastics are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, and we carry a full arsenal of paddle tails, jerk baits, and creature baits in colors that match the local forage. Gulp! baits work exceptionally well in these waters, especially the shrimp and crab patterns. We also run live bait when conditions call for it – finger mullet for big trout and reds, mud minnows for flounder, and fresh shrimp that's hard for any inshore species to resist. Popping corks are deadly here, especially over grass flats where you can suspend your bait in the strike zone. The key is matching your presentation to the conditions and the species you're targeting. Shallow water calls for weedless soft plastics, while deeper channels might require jig heads to get down quickly. Our guides will have you rigged right for every situation.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Eastern North Carolina inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie fish around 18-24 inches up to true bulls that can push 40 inches and 30+ pounds. Reds are year-round residents here, but fall brings some of the best action when big schools congregate in preparation for their offshore spawning runs. What makes redfish so special is their versatility – you can sight-fish them in 2 feet of water or target them in 15-foot channels. They're aggressive feeders that will crush a well-presented soft plastic or live bait, and their powerful runs and bulldogging fights make every hookup memorable. The slot fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the table, while the oversized bulls are pure adrenaline on light tackle.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the inshore world, and Eastern North Carolina holds some true doormat-sized fish. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim within striking distance. Fall is prime time for flounder, especially September through November when they stage near inlets before heading offshore. Trophy flounder – fish over 5 pounds – are legitimate possibilities here, with some true giants pushing 8-10 pounds caught each season. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique. They often hit soft and you need to give them time to fully commit before setting the hook. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean and the satisfaction of outsmarting one of the most cunning predators in the marsh.
Speckled Trout, or spotted seatrout, are the most cooperative species you'll encounter on this charter. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots and canine teeth are aggressive feeders that respond well to both live and artificial baits. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing, with fish ranging from 14-inch schoolies up to true gator trout that exceed 25 inches. Specks love structure – oyster bars, channel edges, and grass lines are all prime real estate. They're also one of the best species for learning inshore techniques since they're willing biters that give you plenty of opportunities to perfect your presentation. When you hook into a big trout, their head-shaking runs and acrobatic jumps make for exciting fights on light tackle.
Striped Bass bring a different dimension to inshore fishing in Eastern North Carolina. These silver-sided fighters are primarily a spring and fall fishery, with the best action coinciding with their migrations. Stripers here range from schoolie fish in the 18-24 inch range up to impressive 30+ inch specimens that can weigh 15-20 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that love current breaks, channel edges, and areas where baitfish congregate. Striped bass are known for their powerful runs and stamina – a good striper will make multiple runs and test your drag system. They're also excellent table fare, with firm
The 22' Chawk cuts through Eastern North Carolina's coastal waters with confidence, powered by a reliable 150hp Suzuki that gets you to the fish fast. Built in 2020, this fishing machine handles the shallow flats and deeper channels where redfish cruise and flounder hide. The boat's fish finder helps locate schools and structure while GPS keeps you on productive spots. VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. With space for up to 3 anglers, there's room to work the lines without crowding. The 40-knot top speed means less time running and more time fishing prime redfish waters and flounder holes. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or working bottom structure for doormat flounder, this boat delivers the performance and features serious anglers need for a successful day on North Carolina's productive inshore waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, known for their bronze backs and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 20-35 inches, with slot-sized fish perfect for the table and oversized bulls providing trophy potential. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall offers prime fishing as they school up and feed heavily. What guests love is their powerful, sustained runs and the visual excitement of sight-fishing in shallow water. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The key is being quiet on approach and using natural presentations like live shrimp or cut bait. Watch for tailing fish in the shallows and "nervous water" where schools are feeding just below the surface.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, offering consistent action and great table fare. Most fish run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and creek mouths where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring provide the best fishing when water temperatures are in their comfort zone. What makes them popular with guests is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality - tender, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great on light tackle, providing plenty of fun without wearing you out. The secret is fishing early morning or late evening around grass beds using live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastic jigs worked slowly through their feeding zones.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the ultimate test of an angler's skill - they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. Most fish run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but we occasionally hook into 15+ pound bruisers around our local structures. You'll find them year-round on dock pilings, bridges, and jetties where they feed on barnacles and fiddler crabs. Spring brings the best action during their spawning runs. What makes them special is their fight and their reputation as one of the best eating fish around - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any offshore species. They're called "convict fish" for their black and white stripes. Here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel them nibbling.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms where they ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we occasionally see doormat-sized fish pushing 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and around structure during warmer months, with fall being prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore. What makes them special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side and the ability to change color to match the bottom. They're also some of the best eating fish in our waters, with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to tip: use a Carolina rig with live mud minnows and work it slow along drop-offs and channel edges where they wait in ambush.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass are powerful fighters that'll test your tackle and skills. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically weigh 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we see plenty of schoolies and the occasional trophy. They love structure - bridges, jetties, and drop-offs - and follow baitfish movements throughout the year. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights that can last several minutes. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. The key to success is matching the bait to what they're feeding on - whether that's live herring, cut bunker, or artificial lures. Watch for diving birds; they'll lead you right to feeding fish.
North Carolina