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Expert Neuse River Fishing | Unreel Charters NC
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Emerald Isle, NC, USA
- $250 - $750 price range
Summary
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Coastal Catches
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Hooked this scrappy sheepshead while fishing on a partly cloudy day.
Landed a hefty sheepshead using light tackle skills in Hubert, NC!
Reeling in a feisty Sheepshead in the partly cloudy Hubert weather - a great day for fishing!
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Hooked this scrappy sheepshead while fishing on a partly cloudy day.
Landed a hefty sheepshead using light tackle skills in Hubert, NC!
Reeling in a feisty Sheepshead in the partly cloudy Hubert weather - a great day for fishing!
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Hooked this scrappy sheepshead while fishing on a partly cloudy day.
Landed a hefty sheepshead using light tackle skills in Hubert, NC!
Reeling in a feisty Sheepshead in the partly cloudy Hubert weather - a great day for fishing!
Neuse River Fishing: Epic Inshore Action
Get ready for some of the best inshore fishing Eastern North Carolina has to offer! Our Neuse River charters are all about putting you on the fish and having a blast while we're at it. Whether you're chasing redfish in the shallows or battling big drums in deeper water, we've got the local know-how to make it happen. Bring your buddies, grab your hat, and let's hit the water for an awesome day of fishing!
What's Biting on the Neuse
The Neuse River is a fisherman's playground, plain and simple. We're talking about a diverse ecosystem where you can hook into everything from feisty speckled trout to hefty black drum. Our trips are flexible, running anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, so you can choose how long you want to stay out chasing that big catch. We've got room for up to 4 anglers, which means you can bring your fishing buddies or make it a family outing. And don't sweat the gear – we've got top-notch rods, reels, and tackle all ready to go. Just step aboard, and we'll take care of the rest.
Fishing Tactics That Land 'Em
On our Neuse River charters, we mix it up depending on what's biting and where. Some days we might be sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, while others we'll drop lines near structure for big sheepshead. We use everything from light tackle for specks to heavier gear when we're after those bruiser drum. Live bait, artificials – we'll use what works best that day. And hey, if you're new to inshore fishing or want to polish your skills, I'm here to show you the ropes. From working a popping cork to finessing a jig, we'll have you fishing like a pro in no time.
What Anglers Are Saying
"Excellent guide and services. He went out of his way to make sure the trip was fun and enjoyable. Very knowledgeable about the area and target species we fished for. Definitely would recommend and book again." - Marc
"Had an awesome time and he put us on the fish! Will definitely be booking again. Thanks for helping us make memories!" - Kevin
"I had a great Charter with Captain Addison. He took the time to customize the trip and was a true pleasure to fish with. We did very well on redfish which was the target species. His boat was very clean with all the modern electronics as well. Great guide, great scenery and great fishing. Highly recommend!" - Eugene
Fish We're After
Southern Flounder: These flatfish are masters of camouflage and a blast to catch. They love to hang out on sandy or muddy bottoms, often near structure. We target them with live bait or soft plastics, and they put up a great fight on light tackle. Fall is prime time for big flounder, but we catch them throughout the warm months. And let me tell you, there's nothing like a fresh flounder dinner after a day on the water!
Black Drum: Talk about a hard-fighting fish! These bruisers can grow over 100 pounds, though we usually catch them in the 5-30 pound range. They love crustaceans, so we often use crab or shrimp for bait. Black drum hang around structure like bridge pilings and oyster beds. They're here year-round, but spring and fall see some of the best action. When a big drum hits, hold on tight – it's like hooking into a bulldozer!
Sheepshead: If you want a challenge, sheepshead are your fish. These striped battlers have teeth like a sheep (hence the name) and are notorious bait stealers. We find them around docks, pilings, and oyster beds. Light tackle and a sensitive touch are key here. Fiddler crabs are prime bait, but we also use shrimp or barnacles. Spring through fall is sheepshead season, with some of the biggest fish showing up in the cooler months.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): Specks are a favorite among light tackle anglers. These spotted beauties are known for their soft mouths and acrobatic fights. We catch them on both artificial lures and live bait, often working grass flats or creek mouths. Fall is prime time for big "gator" trout, but we catch them year-round. There's nothing quite like the "pop" of a trout hitting a topwater lure at dawn!
Redfish (Red Drum): The crown jewel of inshore fishing, redfish are what bring many anglers to the Neuse. These copper-colored bruisers can be found tailing in shallow flats or schooling up in deeper water. We sight-cast to them in the shallows or use cut bait in channels. Fall is fantastic for bull reds, but we catch slot-sized fish all year. When a big red takes off on a long run, it's an experience you won't forget!
Ready to Wet a Line?
Look, I could go on all day about the awesome fishing we have here on the Neuse River, but nothing beats experiencing it firsthand. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, we'll make sure you have a great day on the water. We're all about creating memories and putting you on fish – lots of fish. So what do you say? Give us a call, and let's get your trip on the books. The fish are biting, and we've got a spot on the boat with your name on it. Don't wait – the best days fill up fast, and trust me, you don't want to miss out on this action!
Customer Reviews
Fun Fishin Frenzy
Marc Cavanaugh
May 21, 2024
Hooked on Memories
Had an awesome time and he put us on the fish! Will definitely be booking again. Thanks for helping us make memories!
Kevin Davis
October 6, 2024
Redfish Rendezvous
I had a great Charter with Captain Addison. He took the time to customize the trip and was a true pleasure to fish with. We did very well on redfish which was the target species. His boat was very clean with all the modern electronics as well. Great guide, great scenery and great fishing. Highly recommend!
Eugene Schang
May 21, 2025
Tenacious Guide
Adison went the extra mile to get us in fish. It was a tough day but highly recommend him as a guide.
Bryan Walker
June 16, 2024
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the big boys of the drum family, reaching up to 90 pounds. You'll usually catch them in the 5-30 pound range though. Look for them in brackish waters and estuaries, especially around oyster beds and mudflats. They use their strong teeth to crush shellfish, so crab and shrimp make great bait. Spring is spawning time when they school up, making them easier to target. Anglers love black drum for their powerful fights and good table fare, especially the smaller ones under 15 pounds. A local tip: listen for their distinctive drumming sound to locate them. When you feel a bite, give them a second to get the bait in their mouth before setting the hook. These fighters will test your gear, so come prepared for a battle!
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are one of our most popular game fish here. They love shallow water, often tailing in just a foot or two. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. They've got that distinctive spot near the tail - sometimes more than one. Reds typically run 3-10 pounds inshore, but the big bulls offshore can top 50 pounds. Fall is prime time when they school up to spawn. Anglers love redfish for their powerful fights and how they'll explode on topwater lures. For best results, try a gold spoon or scented soft plastic on a jighead. Work it slowly along the bottom, and when you feel that thump, hang on tight! These guys will test your drag and your arms with long, powerful runs.
Sea Trout
Sea trout, also known as speckled trout, are a favorite here in the Neuse. They typically run 14-24 inches and love to hang out in grass flats and shallow waters. Look for them around structure like oyster beds or drop-offs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on moving tides. Anglers prize sea trout for their aggressive strikes and tasty, flaky meat. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temperatures are mild. To catch them, try soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. Work it with short, sharp jerks to mimic fleeing bait. When you feel that distinctive tap-tap, set the hook fast - they've got soft mouths and can throw the hook easily. It's a thrill when you hook into a big "gator" trout!
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convicts of the sea with their distinctive black and white stripes. They usually run 1-8 pounds but can reach up to 20. You'll find them around any structure with barnacles - docks, bridges, pilings. They're notorious bait stealers with those human-like teeth, so you've got to be quick on the hook set. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. Anglers love the challenge of catching these wily fish, plus they're excellent eating. Here's a tip: use a small, sharp hook with fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp. Get as close to the structure as you can without spooking them. When you feel that telltale nibble, give it a sharp hook set. It takes practice, but landing a big sheepshead is a real accomplishment!
Southern Flounder
Southern flounder are masters of disguise, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. They typically range from 15 to 18 inches and love to ambush prey from the bottom. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Fall is prime time as they migrate to spawn. Anglers enjoy targeting flounder for their delicate, mild-flavored meat and the challenge of hooking these crafty bottom-dwellers. For best results, use live bait like mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig. Let it drift slowly along the bottom, and when you feel a bite, give the flounder a moment before setting the hook - they like to grab prey sideways before swallowing. Patience is key with these tricky fish!
About the S22
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 70
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
Excellent guide and services. He went out of his way to make sure the trip was fun and enjoyable. Very knowledgeable about the area and target species we fished for. Definitely would recommend and book again.