Guide:

About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Head out with Captain Judson and get ready for an exciting day of fishing for Speckled Trout without going too far from the dock!

While the southern coast of North Carolina is known for having great offshore fishing, the nearshore fishing is just as exciting. These inshores and nearshores are flush with shipwrecks and artificial reefs that are harder to find in the Northern areas of the coast. These areas are known to have plenty of Speckled Trout year-round. Wilmington is the most popular spot in this area and is home to various fishing tournaments throughout the year. It's safe to say the fishing here will make for a great trip!

On this 4, 6, or 8-hour trip, Captain Judson will take you from Ogden to the shallow water flats, backwaters, and creeks of the Cape Fear River off the coast of North Carolina where you'll be going after Bluefish and Speckled Trout. You'll be using a couple of different methods to catch these eye-catching fish including light tackle, bottom fishing, and trolling. Captain Judson knows these waters like the back of his hand and is sure to get you where the fish are biting!

You'll be fishing aboard a 17’ Maverick skiff boat with a capacity for 6 people. Equipped with a 125 HP Yamaha engine, this boat is maneuverable and will get you to even hard to reach spots in the inshore and nearshore areas. This vessel comes with a trolling motor, elevated casting platforms, a push-pole and a power-pole to let you get those perfect casts!

Captain Judson will provide all rods, reels, tackle, and live bait. Cold waters and a cooler full of ice will be on board with enough room to store your own food and drinks. All you need to bring are sunglasses, sunscreen, and any snacks or drinks you might need. Even if the weather does not show rain, a rain jacket is recommended. Come aboard and Captain Judson will make sure you get some picture-worthy fish!

Amenities

Water Type

Inshore

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 kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 10 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.

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Pricing Matrix

	4 Hours	6 Hours	8 Hours
1 Person	$550.00	$650.00	$850.00
2 People	$550.00	$650.00	$850.00
3 People	$600.00	$700.00	$900.00
4 People	$650.00	$750.00	$950.00

Pay 15% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

Reserve Your Trip

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Judson B.

Independent Guide 43 years of exp.

Talkative

Laid-back

Instructional

Beginner Oriented

Quality

Adventurous

About Your Guide

Judson B.

Independent Guide 43 years of exp.

A fisherman since he was just a few years old, Captain Judson developed his love for being on the water with his dad at Topsail Beach, North Carolina.

In his early days, Captain Judson began fly fishing the streams and rivers of the North Carolina Mountains as well as the inshore and nearshore waters of Topsail Beach.

In middle school when his grandfather gifted Judson his first fly tying vice, he started tying his own flies and building his own lures. After college, Captain Judson decided to follow his passion and pursued a full-time career in guiding fishing trips.

Captain Judson’s love for fishing has taken him around the world and he has had the opportunity to guide in incredible places including Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Virginia, Tennessee, and the Florida Keys. Now he focuses his time on his three favorite fisheries: North Carolina, Louisiana, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Although his passion for fishing runs strong, Captain Judson says his favorite part about being a guide is the relationships he has built on the water with his clients of all walks of life.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Wilmington, North Carolina

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Speckled Trout Fishing Trip

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Maverick
Year Built: 2020
Boat Length: 17'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Maverick
Year Built: 2020
Boat Length: 17'
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha
Total Horsepower: 125
Number of Engines: 1
Additional Amenities: Minn-Kota trolling motor, elevated casting platforms, push pole, Power-Pole

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Inshore

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 kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 10 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.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Bottom Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Trolling

Everything Else to Know

WE WILL HAVE A COOLER FULL OF ICE AND BOTTLED WATER. WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF EXTRA COOLER. ROOM FOR ANY SNACKS, LUNCHES, OR DRINKS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING.
SUNSCREEN (NO SPRAY SUNSCREEN)
RAIN GEAR. EVEN IF THERE IS NO RAIN IN THE FORECAST, A RAIN JACKET AND RAIN PAINTS ARE ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE WITH YOU. ESPECIALLY IN THE COLDER MONTHS.
ADEQUATE CLOTHING. IN THE SUMMER MONTHS BE SURE TO WEAR SUN RATED CLOTHING THAT BREATHES WELL AND IN THE COOLER MONTHS BE SURE TO BRING PLENTY OF LAYERS.
POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. THESE WILL HELP YOU SEE FISH IN THE WATER AND PROTECT YOUR EYES.
NON MARKING SHOES. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BRING BLACK SOLED SHOES ON THE BOAT, THEY LEAVE MARKS ON THE BOAT THAT ARE VERY HARD TO GET OFF.

You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 10 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 10 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

5.0

based on 1 review

Dwight

Verified Review

May 20

Dwight

Verified Review

May 20

My brother and I had a terrific fishing experience with Judd in mid-May. Great equipment, personable and clear communication - plus Judd's experience and judgement made the whole trip a relaxing and fun time all around for our early season exploration of inshore fishing opportunities now that we both live much closer together. We enjoyed a variety of fishing techniques - Judd knows a lot about fish and where to find them as well as when to go looking. Our inexperience showed, but Judd coaches well - patiently - until we got to connecting regularly with especially the many speckled trout opportunities. Sight-fishing for redfish, which Judd expertly located, was also new for us - we had a blast and definitely hope to try again! Kudos and thanks for the quality of this trip, Judd!

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.