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Premier Wilmington Inshore Fishing | Carolina Charters
WilmingtonWhat you will be catching:
Black Drum
Redfish
Sheepshead
Southern Flounder
Trip Pricing and Availabilities :
No trip pricing information available at this time.
6-Hour Private Inshore Fishing in Wilmington
Looking for a solid day on the water without the crowds? This private 6-hour inshore charter puts you and up to three buddies in prime fishing territory around Wilmington. Captain Victor knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll have you casting for some of the best eating fish on the coast. Starting at 7 AM when the fish are most active, you'll spend your morning and afternoon working the flats, creeks, and structure where redfish, flounder, and drum love to hang out. At $500 for your whole crew, it's a pretty sweet deal for a full day of private fishing.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll meet Captain Victor at the dock bright and early for your 7 AM departure. The boat's rigged with everything you need - quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait. No need to bring your own gear unless you've got a lucky rod you can't fish without. The schedule runs Friday through Sunday from April 15th to December 30th, which covers the best inshore fishing months along the North Carolina coast. Victor's got the seasonal patterns dialed in, so whether you're fishing spring flounder runs or late-fall drum action, he'll put you on the bite. The best part? Free cancellation up to a day before if Mother Nature decides to throw you a curveball. This isn't a cattle boat situation - with just four anglers max, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from the captain.
Techniques & Tackle
Inshore fishing around Wilmington is all about reading the water and adapting to conditions. You'll be working with light to medium tackle - think spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Captain Victor switches up techniques based on what's biting: live shrimp under popping corks for speckled trout, cut bait on the bottom for black drum, and soft plastics bounced along drop-offs for flounder. The boat's equipped with a shallow-water anchor system and trolling motor for quiet approaches in skinny water where these fish feed. You'll fish everything from grass flats to oyster bars, creek mouths to bridge pilings. Victor's not just running you to a spot and hoping for the best - he's actively working to put you on fish, adjusting presentations and locations throughout the day based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him.
Customer Stories
"Victor was an awesome captain who put our crew on lots of fish. He was educated on the water we were fishing and the species we were after. Victor was a great teacher who showed us the ropes on everything we needed to know to have a successful and enjoyable day, and he was always on top of what was going on in the boat. The boat and equipment was everything we needed to have a successful day. Our crew of four had a great day, and we would highly recommend Captain Victor to any crew looking to have a good day on the water." - Mallory
Target Species Breakdown
Redfish are the crown jewel of North Carolina inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and put up a serious fight on light tackle. They're most active during moving tides when they push up onto shallow flats to feed on crabs and baitfish. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish schooling up in big numbers during cooler months. What makes reds so special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging runs - they'll test your drag and your patience. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes, with keeper fish running 15-20 inches and trophy doormat flounder pushing 25+ inches. They're most active during spring and fall migrations, particularly around structure like bridge pilings, creek mouths, and channel edges. Flounder fishing requires patience and finesse - you've got to feel that subtle tap and set the hook at just the right moment. They're hands-down some of the best eating fish you'll pull from these waters.
Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of the inshore scene. These bottom-dwellers can grow massive, with fish over 40 inches not uncommon around Wilmington's waters. They've got powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs, so when they grab your bait, you'll know it. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, especially around oyster beds and hard structure. Black drum are known for their incredible strength - even smaller fish will give you a workout. The bigger ones are catch-and-release due to their age and breeding importance, but mid-sized drum make excellent table fare.
Sheepshead are the craftiest fish in the bunch, earning the nickname "convict fish" for their black and white stripes and their tendency to steal bait. These structure-loving fish hang around pilings, docks, and oyster bars where they use their human-like teeth to pick off barnacles and crabs. They're notoriously light biters, so you need to stay alert and set the hook quickly. Sheepshead are most active during cooler months when they move inshore to spawn. Despite their reputation as bait thieves, they're actually fantastic eating fish with firm, white meat that rivals any offshore catch.
Time to Book Your Spot
This 6-hour private charter delivers everything you want in an inshore fishing trip - experienced guidance, quality equipment, and access to some of the most productive fishing waters on the Carolina coast. Captain Victor's track record speaks for itself, and his local knowledge gives you the edge you need for a successful day. With weekend availability throughout the prime fishing season and flexible cancellation policies, there's no reason to wait
Customer Review
Captain Victor Rocks
Mallory H.
July 17, 2025
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family and some of the strongest fighters you'll hook in our waters. These dark, powerful fish typically run 5-30 pounds, but we see monsters up to 90 pounds during peak season. They love hanging around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, which is pretty wild to experience. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. What guests love most is the raw power - these fish will test your drag and your arms. They're also adaptable, found in everything from super shallow flats to deeper channels. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom, and when you feel that slow, steady pull, don't horse them. Let them run and tire themselves out first.
Redfish
Redfish are hands down one of the most exciting fish we target, known for those explosive strikes and hard fights in shallow water. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-30 inches with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds - sometimes in water so thin their backs show. You'll find them year-round, but fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love is the visual fishing - seeing these bronze backs cruising the shallows and watching them absolutely crush topwater lures. They're also great eating when kept within slot limits. These fish aren't picky eaters but they're smart, so presentation matters. My go-to trick: when you spot one tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are. Let your bait sit still and let them find it - that's when you get those arm-jolting strikes that make redfish fishing so addictive.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray stripes, but what really gets people talking are those human-like teeth - seriously creepy but perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we've pulled some 20-pounders from around the jetties. These fish live around any structure they can find - docks, bridge pilings, rock piles, anywhere barnacles grow thick. They're year-round residents but spring is when they really turn on. What makes them fun to target is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. But man, do they fight hard and taste even better with that sweet, white meat. The key is getting your bait tight to structure and setting the hook hard the second you feel weight. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs work best, and here's a trick: scrape some barnacles off the pilings to get them feeding first.
Southern Flounder
These flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. What makes them unique is having both eyes on their left side - a real conversation starter when you land one. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries throughout our area. Spring through fall gives you the best shots at them, especially when they're feeding actively in warmer months. Guests love the challenge - these fish are sneaky and put up a solid fight. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: when drift fishing, feel for that subtle tap-tap on your bait. Don't set the hook too quick - let them take it and run a bit first, or you'll pull the bait right out of their mouth.
About the Carolina Charters
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 150
Victor was an awesome captain who put our crew on lots of fish. He was educated on the water we were fishing and the species we were after. Victor was a great teacher who showed us the ropes on everything we needed to know to have a successful and enjoyable day, and he was always on top of what was going on in the boat. The boat and equipment was everything we needed to have a successful day. Our crew of four had a great day, and we would highly recommend Captain Victor to any crew looking to have a good day on the water.