NC Charter Fishing: 6-Hour Inshore Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour charter targets Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Cobia, AmberjackExtended trip ventures further offshore for diverse species opportunitiesMaximum six guests with experienced Captain from XSpearmint Sportfishing
When you're looking for a serious day on the water, this 6-hour charter with X-Spearmint Sportfishing hits different than your typical half-day trip. We're talking about real time to get dialed in on the fish, moving around to find the bite, and putting you on species that'll make your arms burn in the best way possible. Captain's got this trip down to a science, and with just 6 anglers max, you're getting the attention and room to fish properly without feeling like you're packed in like sardines.
This isn't your quick morning trip where you hit one spot and hope for the best. Six hours gives us the flexibility to chase the action, whether that means working the nearshore structure for cobia in the morning and then sliding over to the king mackerel grounds when the bite picks up later. North Carolina's inshore waters are absolutely loaded with opportunities, and our captain knows exactly where to position you based on tides, bait movement, and what's been producing. You'll launch comfortable, but by the time we head back to the dock, you'll have that satisfied exhaustion that comes from a proper day of fishing. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got preferences. We're running a clean operation here - tackle's maintained, electronics are dialed in, and the captain's got years of local knowledge to put you on fish.
We're mixing it up out there depending on what's biting and where we find them. For the Spanish mackerel, we're often running light tackle with small spoons or Clark spoons behind planers - these fish are fast and aggressive, so the fight's a blast on lighter gear. When we're targeting kings, we step up the tackle and run live bait or dead bait depending on conditions. Cobia fishing is where things get really interesting - we're sight fishing a lot of times, looking for those brown torpedoes cruising the surface, then pitching live eels or crabs right in their face. Amberjack means we're fishing structure, dropping jigs or live bait down to the bottom and cranking hard when they hit. The captain reads the conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the day. Water temperature, current, bait activity - it all factors into where we fish and how we fish. You don't need to be an expert; the crew will get you set up with the right technique for whatever species we're targeting at the moment.
Bluefish are absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag system and give you a workout you won't forget. These aggressive predators travel in schools and when you find them, it's often game on for multiple hookups. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, with some of the best action happening when they're chasing bait schools in 20-40 feet of water. What makes blues so exciting is their sheer aggression - they'll hit everything from cut bait to spoons to live menhaden, and once hooked, they fight dirty with powerful runs and head shakes that'll rattle your teeth.
Black drum are the tanks of the inshore world, often pushing 30-50 pounds and providing the kind of steady, powerful fight that makes your back ache in the best way. Spring and fall are prime time, especially around structure and oyster beds where they're rooting around for crabs and shellfish. These fish require patience - they're not flashy fighters, but they're incredibly strong and stubborn. When you hook into a big drum, you know you're connected to something substantial. They're primarily bottom feeders, so we're fishing cut crab or shrimp on the bottom, and when they pick it up, it's a slow, deliberate pull that builds into a serious tug-of-war.
King Mackerel are the speed demons that make this trip legendary, capable of burning off 100 yards of line in seconds and putting on aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. Summer through early fall is prime time, when they're schooled up and feeding aggressively on the nearshore ledges and structure. What makes kings so special is their combination of size and speed - a 20-30 pound king will test every bit of your tackle and skill. We target them with live bait, dead bait, and trolling, depending on conditions. The initial run when you hook a king is something every angler needs to experience at least once.
Grey Triggerfish might be smaller than the other species, but don't let size fool you - these fish are crafty, strong for their size, and absolutely delicious on the table. They hang around structure and have a notorious reputation for stealing bait, but when you do hook one, they fight with a determination that's impressive for a fish their size. Late spring through summer is prime time, and they're often a bonus catch when we're working bottom structure for other species. Triggerfish have a unique fighting style - lots of pulling and thrashing that keeps constant pressure on your line.
Redfish are the copper-colored warriors that embody everything great about North Carolina inshore fishing, with their distinctive spots and powerful, determined fight. These fish are available year-round but really shine in the fall when they're schooled up and feeding heavily before winter. What makes reds so exciting is their versatility - we catch them on live bait, cut bait, artificials, and they fight with a steady power that's different from the explosive runs of kings or the bulldogging of blues. A slot-sized red in the 18-27 inch range is perfect for the table, while the bigger bulls provide trophy-worthy fights in shallow water.
Six hours on the water with a captain who knows these waters inside and out, targeting species that'll give you stories worth telling, and enough time to really get after them properly - that's what this charter delivers. Whether you're looking to check some new species
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 30-foot Custom Carolina, a performance fishing machine that was built in 2012 and completely restored in 2021. Twin 300HP Yamaha 4-strokes push this beauty to a cruising speed of 40 knots, getting you to the fish fast and back to port comfortably. The boat handles North Carolina's inshore waters like a dream, whether we're chasing Spanish Mackerel close to the beach or running out deeper for King Mackerel, Cobia, and Amberjack. With space for up to 6 anglers, everyone has room to fish without getting tangled up. The fish finder helps us locate schools while GPS and radar keep us on course and safe in any conditions. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus there's a head onboard for those longer trips. This boat was designed by Carolina craftsmen who know these waters, and it shows in every detail.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 15-40 pounds with some giants pushing 60-plus. They're bottom-dwellers that love oyster bars, muddy flats, and brackish areas where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning in shallow waters, making them much easier to target. After spawning, they scatter and become trickier to find. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - they're not flashy jumpers but they'll test your drag and patience. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, mild meat. Here's the key: fresh blue crab is hard to beat for bait, and don't be afraid to fish super shallow water - sometimes just 2-3 feet deep where you can actually see their backs.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that run 5-20 pounds and put up a solid fight once hooked. They travel in schools along our coast from spring through fall, feeding heavily on baitfish like menhaden and anchovies. You'll find them in depths from 10-100 feet, often around structure or following bait schools. The cooler months of fall and winter are prime time here in NC waters when they're fattening up before heading south. What makes them popular with anglers is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent table fare when properly prepared - just keep the smaller ones for eating. Pro tip: use a wire leader since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When you see birds working baitfish, that's your cue to get lines in the water fast.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are tough, scrappy fighters that average 12-17 inches and can push 3-5 pounds. These bottom-dwellers hang around hard structure, reefs, and ledges in 60-180 feet of water where they munch on crabs, shrimp, and sea urchins. Summer and early fall are your best bets when they're most active and feeding aggressively. What makes triggers fun to target is their attitude - they're aggressive biters but also sneaky bait thieves with those sharp, parrot-like beaks. They're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's great fried or grilled. The challenge is their habit of nibbling baits, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook fast. My trick is using squid chunks about an inch square - it stays on the hook better than softer baits. Drop your rig to the bottom with a heavy sinker, then reel up just a bit and hold tight.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that typically run 15-30 pounds, with some bruisers hitting 50-plus. These silver bullets cruise the 40-150 foot range off our coast, especially around structure and temperature breaks where baitfish gather. Late spring through early fall is prime season when water temps hit that sweet spot of 68-75 degrees. What makes kings so popular is their blistering runs and aerial shows - they'll test your drag and reflexes. The meat is excellent when fresh, with a rich flavor that's perfect for grilling or smoking. Most anglers target them by trolling with live bait or spoons, but they'll also hit well-presented jigs. Here's a guide secret: rig your live bait with a stinger hook near the tail since kings often attack from behind. When trolling, vary your speeds - sometimes slowing down triggers strikes when they're being finicky.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, running 18-35 inches in our shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers love oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - so shallow you'll often see their backs and tails. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed heavily before and after winter. What gets guests fired up is watching these fish crush topwater lures in skinny water, plus their bulldogging fight that'll test your equipment. The smaller "slot" fish make outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials all work. Here's the deal: when you spot tailing reds, approach quietly and cast well ahead of where they're moving. A gold spoon or soft plastic worked slowly through the grass usually seals the deal.
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