New Bern Fishing Charters
New Bern fishing charters cover the Neuse and Trent Rivers along with quick runs into Pamlico Sound, giving anglers light-tackle action for redfish, speckled trout, striped bass, and seasonal offshore opportunities.
Top Rated Charters in New Bern
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New Bern, NC Fishing Guide
New Bern sits at the junction of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, offering a versatile fishery that appeals to both inshore anglers and those looking to push out into Pamlico Sound. Most charters run half-day and full-day trips, with the shorter outings keeping clients on the rivers where structure like docks, pilings, marsh edges, and channel drop-offs produce steady bites. Full-day trips often stretch into the Sound, where captains can target larger schools of drum, flounder, and Spanish mackerel depending on the season.
The run distances are short compared to many coastal towns — most boats are fishing within minutes of the downtown launch ramps. Popular ramps include Lawson Creek Park, Union Point Park, and nearby facilities along the Trent, making access easy and quick. Pamlico Sound trips usually require a 30–45 minute ride to reach the more productive shoals and grass flats.
Seasonal fishing changes keep things fresh year-round. Spring brings striped bass and shad runs up the rivers, while summer shifts focus to redfish tailing along the grass edges and speckled trout holding around deeper bends. Fall is the prime time for trophy red drum in Pamlico Sound, a bucket-list trip that many charters specialize in. Winter slows things down, but resident stripers and trout can still be picked off by patient anglers working deep holes.
Techniques vary from light spinning gear with soft plastics and popping cork rigs to fly fishing along the marshes and oyster beds. Trolling with diving plugs and jigging vertical structure are productive for stripers, while live shrimp and mullet are reliable baits for trout and drum. While New Bern is the hub, nearby waters like Bay River, Adams Creek, and the lower Neuse provide alternate options when wind or pressure makes the main stretches less reliable. New Bern fishing is consistent, close to town, and well-suited for anglers of all levels.
Fishing Seasons in New Bern
Spring (March–May)
Spring in New Bern kicks off with striped bass and American shad runs up the Neuse and Trent Rivers. These fish stage around bridge pilings, deep holes, and feeder creek mouths. Anglers can count on vertical jigging, soft plastics, and crankbaits to produce, while fly fishermen do well with Clouser minnows in the current seams. Redfish begin showing in the shallows, and speckled trout start to rebound as water temps stabilize. Charters at this time often run half-days, focusing on the reliable river bite, with a mix of light tackle and fly presentations.
Summer (June–August)
Summer brings heat, and with it, red drum become the dominant target in New Bern. Tailers feed aggressively on the grass flats early and late in the day, while trout hold to deeper water bends and shaded docks. Striped bass fishing slows but doesn’t vanish, with night trips often the ticket for steady action. Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be found pushing bait closer to the Sound. Live bait rigs with mullet or menhaden shine in summer, and captains often recommend morning trips to beat both the heat and afternoon storms.
Fall (September–November)
Fall is peak season for New Bern charters, with the famous Pamlico Sound red drum fishery drawing anglers from across the country. These giant drum gather on shoals and points, with cut bait and heavy tackle required to handle them. In the rivers, speckled trout and slot-sized reds feed heavily ahead of winter, creating steady light-tackle action. Stripers also fire back up as water cools. Captains often extend trips into the Sound, but even short runs near town can put anglers on trout and reds. This is the time to book well in advance, as demand peaks with the fall bite.
Winter (December–February)
Winter fishing in New Bern is quieter but still worthwhile. Resident stripers hold in deep holes, bridge channels, and slower stretches of the Trent. Speckled trout stay catchable, though you’ll need to fish slower presentations with soft plastics or live shrimp near structure. Red drum thin out but can be found in deeper pockets of the rivers. Cold fronts dictate the bite, so captains often time trips around stable weather. Winter charters are smaller in number, but those who go enjoy light boat traffic and steady river action, with plenty of solitude on the water.
Gamefish in New Bern
- Red Drum – 18–50+ lbs. Found on grass flats in summer and staging on Pamlico Sound shoals in fall, taken on cut bait, popping corks, and fly.
- Speckled Trout – 1–5 lbs. Caught year-round, best in fall around deep bends and docks using live shrimp and soft plastics.
- Striped Bass – 2–15 lbs. Targeted in rivers around bridges and pilings, best in spring and winter with jigs, plugs, and flies.
- Flounder – 1–4 lbs. Found near sandy drop-offs and creek mouths, especially late summer, taken on jigged soft plastics or live mullet.
- Spanish Mackerel – 1–3 lbs. Seasonal summer fish on the edges of Pamlico Sound, caught trolling spoons and casting to surface feeds.
- Bluefish – 1–8 lbs. Common in summer near bait schools in the rivers and Sound, taken on jigs, spoons, and plugs.
- American Shad – 1–3 lbs. Run in early spring up the Neuse and Trent, caught drifting darts and small spoons in current seams.
New Bern Fishing FAQs
What is the best month to fish in Homer, Alaska?
Lawson Creek Park and Union Point Park are the most common ramps in New Bern, giving quick access to both the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Many charters also use nearby ramps on feeder creeks for shorter runs.
How long are typical fishing trips in New Bern?
Half-day trips usually last 4 hours and stay on the rivers close to town, while full-day trips run 6–8 hours and may push out into Pamlico Sound. Fall trophy drum trips are often booked as full days to maximize time on the water.
Is fishing gear provided on New Bern charters?
Yes, local captains provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Many also supply fly gear if requested, though anglers are welcome to bring their own setups.
Do I need a license to fish in New Bern with a charter?
No, clients fishing aboard licensed New Bern charters are covered under the captain’s blanket license. If fishing on your own from shore or a private boat, you’ll need a valid North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License.
What’s the best time of year to fish New Bern?
Fall is considered the best overall season thanks to the giant drum run in Pamlico Sound and strong trout and redfish bites in the rivers. That said, stripers and trout in winter, spring shad runs, and summer redfish all make New Bern a year-round destination.
What techniques are most common on New Bern charters?
Light spinning tackle with soft plastics and popping cork rigs is the go-to method. In spring and winter, vertical jigging and slow presentations shine, while summer and fall see more live bait rigs, cut bait fishing, and occasional fly setups.
What species can I expect to target in the rivers near New Bern?
The Neuse and Trent Rivers hold redfish, speckled trout, striped bass, and seasonal flounder. During spring, American shad join the mix, while summer often adds bluefish and Spanish mackerel closer to the Sound.
How many people can go on a New Bern fishing trip
Most inshore boats in New Bern comfortably fish 2–4 anglers. Some larger boats that run into Pamlico Sound can handle 5–6 depending on the trip type and target species.
Are specialty trips like night fishing offered in New Bern?
Yes, some captains offer night trips targeting striped bass during the summer and early fall. These outings avoid the heat and take advantage of the striper bite around bridges and lighted structure.