Charter Fishing In Topsail NC | 4 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing charter targeting five speciesProfessional captain provides gear and expert guidanceSixperson maximum ensures personalized fishing experience
Looking for some solid inshore action? This 4-hour charter out of Topsail puts you right where the fish are biting. We're talking prime North Carolina waters loaded with redfish, sea trout, black drum, Atlantic bonito, and winter flounder. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will get you on the fish fast. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first cast or you've been working these waters for years, this trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps folks coming back season after season.
Your day starts early at the marina where you'll meet your captain and get the lowdown on conditions. We keep groups small - just 6 anglers max - so everyone gets plenty of room to fish and personal attention from the crew. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but feel free to bring your own tackle if you've got favorites. We'll cruise out to productive spots based on recent reports, tide charts, and what the captain's been seeing. Expect to move around a bit - that's how you stay on active fish. The crew handles everything from rigging baits to netting fish, so you can focus on what matters: getting your line tight and feeling that rod bend.
This inshore fishing relies heavily on reading structure, current, and bait movement. Your captain will set you up with the right approach for conditions - maybe live shrimp under popping corks for trout over grass flats, cut bait on the bottom for drum around structure, or casting small jigs and spoons when bonito are schooling up. The boat carries medium-action spinning rods paired with reels loaded with 15-20 pound test - perfect for these inshore species. Circle hooks are standard for most presentations to ensure good releases. You'll fish everything from shallow grass beds to deeper channel edges, depending on what's producing. The beauty of a 4-hour trip is covering enough water to pattern the fish without wearing everyone out.
Winter flounder show up when the water cools down, typically from late fall through early spring. These flatfish love sandy bottoms near inlet mouths and are absolute table fare champions. They don't fight hard, but they're sneaky biters that require a sensitive touch. Most run 12-16 inches, and a good day might put several keepers in the cooler. Black drum are the bulldogs of the bunch - powerful fish that can go from 2 pounds to over 20. They cruise shallow flats and around pilings, crushing crabs and shrimp. When you hook into a big drum, you'll know it immediately. They make long, stubborn runs that test your drag system.
Atlantic bonito are the speed demons here, showing up in schools when baitfish are thick. These mini-tunas hit hard and fast, making screaming runs that'll have your reel singing. They're perfect on light tackle and great for kids since the action comes quick. Sea trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing. They're beautiful fish with distinct spots, and the bigger ones - called "gator trout" - are legitimate trophies. They love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving water. Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore species. These bronze beauties are notorious fighters, making powerful runs through shallow water. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the big bulls provide pure adrenaline.
Four hours gives you serious fishing time without the full-day commitment. It's perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone wanting to sample what Topsail waters offer. The captain and crew handle all the details - you just show up ready to fish. With only 6 spots available, these charters fill up fast, especially during prime seasons when the bite is hot. Book now and get ready for the kind of inshore action that makes North Carolina fishing legendary. Bring your camera, sunscreen, and get ready to feel some serious pulls on your line.
Step aboard our 22-foot Jones Brothers and get ready to chase Atlantic Bonito, Black Drum, and Redfish through Topsail's productive inshore waters. This reliable fishing machine comes loaded with everything serious anglers need – a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish, GPS to mark hot spots, and a fish finder to locate schools lurking below. The VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats sharing bite reports, while the spacious deck gives all six guests room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Built wheelchair accessible, so everyone can join the action. Whether you're targeting winter flounder in the shallows or sea trout around the grass beds, this boat handles Topsail's backwaters and nearshore breaks with ease. The captain knows where these fish hang out and when they bite best, putting you on productive water fast. Perfect setup for families, groups, or anyone wanting to experience North Carolina's excellent inshore fishing without the crowds.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are speed demons that'll test your drag system. These silver rockets with dark stripes can hit 40 mph and typically weigh 3-12 pounds, though some reach 18 pounds. They're pelagic fish that travel in big schools, feeding aggressively on the surface where you'll see birds diving. Look for their dorsal fins cutting the water like small sharks. They prefer 60-degree water and show up when conditions are right. What makes them exciting is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - pure adrenaline fishing. They're not great eating here in the States, but the fight more than makes up for it. When you find a feeding school, they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. Fast-moving lures work best, and here's the key: once you hook up, keep tension but let them run on that first screaming drag-peeling dash. Try to stop them too early and you'll likely pull the hook.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and brackish areas where they use crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time during spawning season when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - they don't jump but pull hard and steady. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with flaky white meat, while the big ones are better released. Fresh crab is your best bet for bait since it stays on the hook and doesn't attract catfish like other baits do. My go-to tip: fish the bottom with enough weight to stay put, and when you feel that first thump, let them run a bit before setting the hook - they're not going anywhere fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target with their copper-colored backs and signature black spots near the tail. Running from slot-size around 18-27 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches, they're built for shallow water living. You'll find them cruising 1-4 feet of water over oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges - sometimes so shallow their backs show. They're year-round residents but really fire up in spring and fall. What makes them special is watching them cruise in crystal clear water, then exploding on your lure in a shower of spray. They fight hard with long runs and are excellent eating in slot size. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp all work great. My best advice: when you spot one tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going and let the lure sit still. These fish spook easy, but a motionless bait often triggers their curiosity better than anything moving.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their distinctive black spots and torpedo-shaped bodies. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow. Night fishing can be outstanding, especially around lights that attract baitfish. Spring through fall are your best bets, with cooler months finding them schooled up in deeper channels. What anglers love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their decent fight for their size. Plus, they're outstanding table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp are go-to baits. Here's a local trick: if the bite is slow, try working your lure extra slow around grass edges at first light or dusk. These fish can be finicky, but a subtle presentation often triggers strikes when nothing else works.
Pseudopleuronectes AmericanusWinter Flounder are unique flatfish that swim on their sides with both eyes on the right. They're masters of camouflage, changing color to match the bottom from black to olive green. Usually running 10-12 inches, though some hit 25 inches and 8 pounds. You'll find them in our estuaries and nearshore waters, hiding in grass beds and around structure. They feed mainly in the mornings using sight, so clear water days are best. Spring and fall are prime times when they move shallow. What makes them fun is their sneaky bite - they nibble first before committing. Use a sensitive rod to feel the difference between a real bite and just testing. Big sea worms or clams work great, and here's a local tip: give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook. Their small mouths mean they need a few seconds to get it right.
Wilmington