About Your Trip
Join Captain Ray for a light-tackle fishing trip through the diverse waters surrounding Topsail Island and the New River. With 4-, 6-, and 8-hour options available, these trips can take you from shallow marshes, creeks, and flats to the nearshore waters just off the North Carolina coast when conditions allow.
Inshore, you'll primarily target species like Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, and Sheepshead. Ray uses his knowledge of the tides to work oyster
beds, grass flats, channel edges, creeks, and other areas where these fish gather to feed. Depending on conditions, you'll fish live bait, artificial lures, and topwater plugs on light tackle, with opportunities for sight fishing when water clarity cooperates.
When the weather allows you to head nearshore, the target list can expand to seasonal species including Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bluefish, False Albacore, and Cobia. These fish move through at different times of year, so exactly what you pursue will depend on water temperature, bait concentrations, sea conditions, and what's currently available.
The 4-hour trip is a great introduction to the fishery and typically focuses on one or two productive areas. Moving up to 6 hours gives Ray more time to fish through changing tides and move between different areas as conditions develop. The 8-hour full day provides the most flexibility to cover water and can combine inshore and nearshore fishing when weather and sea conditions cooperate.
Beginners and experienced anglers are both welcome. Ray enjoys teaching and can help with everything from casting and lure presentation to understanding how tide movement, bait, and structure affect the fish. Fly fishing equipment is also available for anglers who want to take that approach.
Rods, reels, tackle, live bait, lures, bottled water, safety equipment, and your fishing license are all included. The boat is equipped with Garmin-style essentials including GPS and fish-finding electronics, along with a wireless trolling motor, live bait well, and ice box. Any legal fish you decide to keep can be stored on ice for you to take with you after the trip.
Ray fishes throughout the greater Topsail area, including waters accessible from Surf City, Topsail Island, Hampstead, North Topsail, Sneads Ferry, Wrightsville Beach, and Swansboro, allowing the day's location and approach to be adjusted around the season and conditions.
Amenities
Water Type
Inshore, Nearshore, Flats
Skill Levels
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Tackle
All rods, reels, and tackle are included.
Beer
Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.
Live Bait
Live bait is included for this trip.
Weather
You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather
Kid Friendly
This trip can cater to small children.
Flexible Cancelation
This trip can be canceled up to 7 days before the trip.
Fish Cleaning
No cleaning service provided.
Boat Restroom
No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.
Disability Friendly
This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.
Lunch
Please provide your own food / snacks.
