
Eastern North Carolina Fishing Guide
When you’re looking for the best fishing in North Carolina, trust the fishing guide service of Salt & Swamp. We offer year-round North Carolina fishing charters for every type of angler and experience level. Whether you’re a serious fisherman or just looking for a fun adventure with a family fishing charter, you’ll have a great time on one of our guided fishing trips.
Fishing Rates
Group rates are for the boat and guide for the time described. A group consists of 1 to 3 anglers. All rates are group rates. All tackle and bait are provided.
Fishing Charter Deposit Policy
To confirm bookings for your guided fishing charter, a $200 deposit is required within 10 days of your scheduled booking to hold the date of your fishing trip. Deposits are non-refundable (except in the case of severe weather conditions which are determined solely at the discretion of the captain). Rain is NOT a determining factor! The captain will determine when the weather is too severe to fish. In the case of a captain-canceled fishing trip, you can reschedule or request a refund. If you book a trip within 14 days of the desired fishing trip, the deposit is due within 72 hours. The deposit secures your date.
Susan’s Sweet Water Lake
34 Acre Trophy Lake-Hybrid Striper Special
GUARANTEED TO TAKE FISH HOME!
Group 1/2 day – $400 – want more than two stripers per person? You can!
Fish average 2.5 – 3.5 pounds with some up to 5 and 6 pounds!
Large Mouth and Bluegill are catch and release only.
No fishing license needed (Lake fishing only). Appropriate hunting license is required.
Reserve Your Spot Now (252) 864-6693
Trout, Stripers, Drum, & Flounder
Group Half Day – $400 – (5 hours) |
Group Full Day – $600 – (7 hours) |
1-3 Anglers, Tackle & Bait Provided |
Trophy Red Drum
Group Half Day – $500 – (6 hours) |
Group Full Day – $700 – (8 hours) |
1-3 Anglers, Tackle & Bait Provided |
CRFL Blanket Coverage on boat. No Salt Water License required. |
Shad
Group Half Day – $300 – (5 hours) |
1-3 Anglers, Tackle & Bait Provided |
Susan’s Sweet Water Lake
Group Half Day – $400 – (5 hours) |
1-3 Anglers, Tackle & Bait Provided |
No fishing license needed. (Lake fishing only) |
Fishing License Information
Depending on your scheduled fishing trip, you could be fishing in both coastal and inland waters. Salt and Swamp Guide Service has a blanket license (CRFL) for coastal water fishing, but if you’re planned fishing trip includes inland waters or mixed bag trips, you’ll need to purchase an Inland Fishing License before arriving to fish with Salt and Swamp Guide Service. You can purchase your fishing license online at NC Wildlife Resources Commission or by telephone by calling (888) 248-6834 between Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm. Children and youth under age 16 are exempt from the requirements of a basic inland fishing license and trout privilege license. If you still have questions, please contact Salt & Swamp Guide Service for advice.
What’s Included In Your North Carolina Fishing Charter
We provide for your service all tackle (fishing rods, fishing reels, fishing line, hooks, bait, lures, bobbers, sinkers, swivels, holders, nets, and more), equipment, and a well-kept fishing boat for a great day of fishing inshore and nearshore. The job of a fishing guide is to make sure you have a good time, assist with your fishing needs, ensure you’re in the best location to catch a fish, and to document your catch with digital photos. There are exceptions when I will throw out an additional line to help improve the chances of a catch, but will pass that line off to a customer so they can experience the tug and excitement of reeling in a fish.
What To Bring
Salt and Swamp Guide Service will bring the fishing gear, but you should consider bringing any food or drink you may want during your trip, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, rain gear, appropriate clothing, and a camera or phone for some great fishing photos. If you plan on keeping your catch, please bring a cooler with ice to take your fish home.
Gratuity & Tips
Gratuity and tips are not included in the charter rates and are left completely to the discretion of the customer.
What We Catch
We have a variety of guided fishing charters to deliver the best bite regardless of seasonal fishing conditions. We follow the bite to put you in the best locations.
Trophy Red Drum/Puppy Drum
Whether it’s Trophy Red Drum, Bull Red Drum, Giant Red Drum, Old Drum, Trophy Redfish or Redfish, Salt & Swamp Guide Service offers the best Trophy Red Drum Charters around. Fish averaging 47 inches and weighing over 50 pounds. The Trophy Red Drum fish is an exciting, heavy-strike fish to reel in. Living in the ocean for most of their lives, the adult Red Drum returns to the Pamlico Sound each summer to spawn. During spawning season, the male Red Drum produce a “drumming” noise created with their air bladder which is how their name originated. Nestled within the beautiful Inner Banks, Oriental, Neuse River, Pungo River, Bay River, and Pamlico River, we follow big schools of Trophy Red Drum Fish.
The season starts in July and peaks in late August and September. Contact us for more information about Trophy Red Drum Charters today. We’re now booking fishing charters for the season.
Speckled Trout
A great experience for the novice and experienced angler, the Inner Banks and upper tributaries of the Neuse River offer year-round, light tackle opportunities to snag some trout on a Mixed Bag Charter.
The season runs all year long. Contact us for more information about Trout & Mixed Bag Charters today. We’re now booking North Carolina fishing charters for the season.
Striped Bass
Native to salt water, striper fish or striped bass migrate to freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. Schools of coastal stripers cluster around the shallow waters of the Western Sound and the deeper waters of the Inner Banks of North Carolina and travel up the deeper river channels of the lower Roanoke, Eastmost, Pamlico, and Cashie Rivers. Excellent for light-tackle enthusiasts, we target stripers year-round.
The season is year-round and peaks in the Spring and Fall. Contact us for more information on Striper Fishing Charters NC today. We’re now booking Inner Banks fishing charters for the season.
Flounder
There are some great flounder fishing opportunities throughout the Inner Banks of North Carolina up through the Pungo, Pamlico, and Neuse Rivers. Guided fishing charters to these beautiful estuary waters opens up a trove of large fish potential that are perfect for all levels of anglers and light-tackle enthusiasts.
The season runs all year, with the best flounder action in the summer months right through fall.
Eastern North Carolina Shad
During the spring run of stripers, Eastern North Carolina rivers experience a large number of Hickory and American (white) shad that migrate to the Neuse, Tar and Roanoke rivers in large numbers to spawn. Known as one of the state’s best areas to fish for American and Hickory Shad, North Carolina anglers using both conventional and fly tackle boast over 100+ catches a day during peak season.
The season peaks in March. Contact us for more information on Shad Fishing Charters. We’re now booking fishing trips for the season.
North Carolina Fishing Seasons

Pamlico & Neuse River
Giant Trophy Red Drum are a truly spectacular fish to catch weighing in at over 50lbs. They are a quest and challenge for any level angler to get boat side. (Aug-Sept)

Pamlico, Neuse & Tar River
A great fishing adventure for both novice and expert, the estuaries provide great fly fishing and light-tackle fishing for both fresh and saltwater species of fish.

Susan’s Sweet Water Lake
This privately owned lake is 34 acres stocked full of striped bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. It’s perfect for family fishing charters. (Year Round Fishing)

Pamlico & Pungo Rivers
Pamlico and Pungo Rivers’ great tributaries offer mixed bag fishing. Light-tackle enthusiasts have the opportunity to catch flounder and striped bass or stripers.
Captain Jeff
Hi! My name is Captain Jeff Koen and my job is your fishing adventure. I developed a love for fishing when I was 10, cultivating my skill and honing my craft ever since. I am on the water every week fishing and scouting for the best fishing spots. I follow the bite and fish for a variety of different species depending on the season.