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Expert-Guided Inshore Fishing in Swansboro, NC
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Swansboro
- $250 - $750 price range
- Updated Date: November 23, 2025
Summary
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Coastal Catches
Trout Time! - Swansboro, NC.
Trout Time! - Swansboro, NC.
Reel In Your Dream Catch: Half-Day NC Coast Adventure
Ready to wet a line and chase some of North Carolina's most sought-after inshore species? Our half-day morning trip is your ticket to some seriously fun fishing action. We'll cruise the rich waters around Sneads Ferry, Swansboro, and beyond, putting you right where the fish are biting. Whether you're looking to bend a rod on a hard-fighting redfish or outsmart a crafty flounder, we've got the local know-how to make it happen. Grab your hat and sunscreen – it's time to hit the water!
What to Expect on the Water
Our 4-hour trip kicks off bright and early, when the fish are most active and the water's calm. We'll zip out to some of our favorite honey holes – maybe a grass flat holding redfish, or a nearshore wreck loaded with black drum. Your experienced guide will read the water, checking tides and conditions to put you on the fish. We provide all the gear, so just bring yourself and a good attitude. You might be casting soft plastics, working a popping cork, or slow-trolling live bait – whatever's getting the job done that day. And don't worry if you're new to fishing; we'll show you the ropes and have you catching in no time.
Techniques That Land the Big Ones
Inshore fishing in North Carolina is all about versatility. One minute you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, the next you're dropping jigs near structure for flounder. We'll likely use light to medium tackle, which gives you the best feel for the bite and the most fun during the fight. Expect to try techniques like:
- Popping cork rigs for redfish and trout - Jigging soft plastics for flounder - Free-lining live bait for Spanish mackerel - Bottom fishing with cut bait for black drum
Your guide will walk you through each method, showing you how to work the lure or bait for maximum effectiveness. It's hands-on learning that'll up your fishing game, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned angler.
Hunter Highlights
"My first redfish, and it was over the length limit so we had to release it....but that's a good thing! And, Ryan put me on them fairly quickly in the trip. He knew where to find them and at what times/following the tide. Hooked!" - Eric
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish (Red Drum): The crown jewel of North Carolina inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers are known for their powerful runs and stubborn fights. We target them year-round, but fall is prime time when big schools invade the flats. Look for their distinctive tail as they root for crabs in shallow water – it's a sight that'll get your heart racing every time.
Spanish Mackerel: When these speedsters show up, it's non-stop action. They hunt in schools, slashing through bait balls with incredible speed. We often find them near inlets or just off the beach. Light tackle and fast retrieves are the name of the game here. Their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs make them a blast to catch, and they're delicious on the grill too.
Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, these flatfish require a bit of finesse to target. We'll often drift sandy bottoms or work around structure, using soft plastics or live bait. The bite can be subtle, but set the hook and you're in for a stubborn fight. Fall is flounder season, when big ones move to the inlets before heading offshore.
Bluefish: Pound for pound, few fish fight harder than blues. These toothy predators are pure aggression, often striking topwater lures with explosive force. We find them around bait schools, and they're a great species for introducing kids to fishing – their willingness to bite makes for constant action.
Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousin of the redfish, black drum can grow to massive sizes. We target them around oyster beds and deeper holes, often using crabs or shrimp for bait. Their powerful pull will test your arms, especially the bigger ones. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can catch them year-round in the right spots.
Time to Book Your Spot
There's nothing quite like that first run of a big redfish or the acrobatics of a hooked Spanish mackerel. Our half-day trip gives you a real taste of what makes North Carolina inshore fishing so special. With our local knowledge and your enthusiasm, we'll create some lasting fishing memories. Remember, the best days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. So don't wait – grab your spot on the boat and let's go catch some fish! Book now and get ready for a morning of rod-bending, drag-screaming action on the beautiful North Carolina coast.
Customer Review
Catch Release Repeat
Eric Halle
June 22, 2024
Learn more about the animals
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweight bruisers of our inshore waters. While smaller ones run 5-30 pounds, trophy fish can top 80 pounds. Look for them around oyster beds, pier pilings, and in brackish estuaries. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn, but you can catch them year-round. Drum are bottom feeders, so use crab, shrimp, or cut bait on a fish-finder rig. They're not the prettiest fish, but they put up a stubborn fight on heavy tackle. Smaller drum (under 15 pounds) are good eating, with a sweet, flaky meat. Here's an insider tip: Listen for their distinctive "drumming" sound underwater - it's how they communicate and can lead you right to them. When you hear that croaking, drop your bait nearby and get ready for a tug-of-war.
Bluefish
Bluefish are hard-fighting predators that show up in our waters from spring through fall. They typically run 3-5 pounds but can get much bigger. Look for them in open water, often near the surface chasing bait schools. Blues are known for their aggressive feeding frenzies - it's a sight to see them chopping through bait balls. They hit lures and bait hard, making for exciting topwater action. Use metal spoons or poppers for best results. Blues have a strong flavor that some folks love. They're best eaten fresh - try them grilled or smoked. Here's a tip: When bluefish are feeding on the surface, cast just beyond the school and retrieve quickly. The competitive nature of blues means they'll race to hit your lure first. Watch your fingers though - those teeth are sharp!
Redfish
Redfish are a favorite target here on the North Carolina coast. These copper-colored beauties typically run 15-30 inches and put up a great fight. You'll find them in shallow flats, around oyster bars, and near structure in 1-4 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move into the shallows. Redfish are prized for their light, flaky meat - perfect for grilling. When fishing, look for their distinctive tail wakes in shallow water. They love to feed on crabs, shrimp and small baitfish. For best results, use a light tackle setup with live bait or soft plastics. Work your lure slowly along the bottom, paying attention to any sudden taps or weight. A local tip: On windy days, focus on lee shorelines where bait gets pushed up against the bank. Redfish will be there waiting to ambush an easy meal.
Southern Flounder
Southern flounder are a staple catch along our coast, typically running 15-20 inches. These bottom-dwellers are masters of camouflage, blending in with sandy or muddy floors in bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters. Fall is prime flounder season as they move towards inlets to spawn. Anglers love targeting them for their delicious, mild-flavored meat. Flounder fishing requires patience - they're ambush predators that wait for prey to come to them. Use live bait like mullet or soft plastics, working them slowly along the bottom. Feel for that distinctive "thump" when a flounder strikes. Here's a local trick: When you feel a bite, don't set the hook immediately. Give the flounder time to turn the bait in its mouth. Count to three, then reel down and sweep the rod to set. You'll hook up more often this way.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish mackerel are a blast to catch off the North Carolina coast. These sleek, speedy fish usually run 15-20 inches and put on an acrobatic show when hooked. Look for them near the surface in open water, often around structures like reefs or wrecks. They migrate through our waters from spring to fall, with peak season in summer. Mackerel are schooling fish, so when you find one, you've likely found many. They're known for their hard strikes and blistering runs. Trolling with small spoons or casting jigs into feeding frenzies are effective tactics. These fish make excellent table fare - try them grilled or smoked. A local secret: Watch for diving birds to locate schools of mackerel feeding on bait near the surface. When you see that, it's time to break out the light tackle and get ready for some fast action.
About the Hewes Redfisher (Flats boat)
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 55
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
My first redfish, and it was over the length limit so we had to release it....but that's a good thing! And, Ryan put me on them fairly quickly in the trip. He knew where to find them and at what times/following the tide. Hooked!