Fishing Charters OBX: Your OBX Inshore Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore fishing charter accommodates up to four guestsFlexible scheduling with experienced local guides in OBX watersTarget diverse species along scenic Outer Banks coastline
The Outer Banks delivers some of the finest inshore fishing on the East Coast, and this 6-hour charter puts you right in the thick of it. Captain Duck Hunter and crew know these waters like the back of their hand – from the grass flats around Hatteras to the oyster bars near Oregon Inlet. You'll fish productive structure where Southern Flounder, Sheepshead, Sea Trout, and Redfish call home. With flexible departure times and room for up to 4 anglers, this trip works whether you're planning a family outing or heading out with your fishing buddies. The boat's equipped with quality tackle and all the essentials, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the cooler.
Your day starts with a quick rundown of the game plan based on current conditions. The captain checks tide charts, wind direction, and recent bite reports to put you on the most productive spots. You'll fish a mix of structures – shallow grass beds where redfish cruise, deeper channel edges for trout, and rocky bottom where sheepshead hang out. The boat stays mobile, hitting 3-4 different areas throughout the day to maximize your chances. Expect to use both live and artificial baits, switching tactics as needed. The crew handles net work, unhooking, and icing fish so you can stay focused on your rod. Weather permitting, you'll cover different water types from protected creeks to more open sound fishing, giving you a real taste of what OBX inshore fishing offers.
We fish with medium to medium-heavy spinning gear spooled with 15-20 lb braid – perfect for the structure and species you'll encounter. Live bait gets the nod when fish are finicky, especially live shrimp on carolina rigs for flounder and trout. Mud minnows work magic around oyster bars for sheepshead and redfish. When conditions allow, we'll throw artificials – soft plastics on jig heads, topwater plugs during dawn and dusk, and suspending twitch baits along grass lines. You'll learn to read the water, watching for bait schools, birds working, and those telltale signs that predators are feeding. The captain shares local techniques like fishing dock pilings on moving tides, working channel drop-offs, and targeting specific grass bed edges where big trout ambush prey. All tackle and bait are included, though feel free to bring your lucky rod if you've got one.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of OBX inshore fishing. These flatfish love sandy bottoms near structure, especially around inlet mouths and channel edges. Fall months bring the best action as they fatten up before their offshore migration. Flounder are ambush predators, burying in sand and striking fast when bait passes overhead. A 3-4 pound "doormat" flounder makes excellent table fare and provides a solid fight on light tackle. What makes them special here is the consistent numbers – it's not unusual to boat 6-8 keeper flounder on a good day.
Sheepshead fishing around OBX gets seriously addictive once you figure them out. These black and white striped bait thieves hang around hard structure – bridge pilings, rock piles, and oyster beds. They've got human-like teeth for crushing shellfish, making them notorious for stealing bait. The trick is using small hooks, fresh bait, and feeling for that subtle tick when they mouth your offering. A 4-5 pound sheepshead puts up a surprising scrap and ranks among the best eating fish in these waters. Spring and fall offer peak action when they're most aggressive.
Sea Trout, or "speckled trout" as locals call them, are the most consistent biters year-round. These spotted beauties patrol grass flats and channel edges, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. They hit both live and artificial baits with enthusiasm, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. A 20-inch "gator trout" is a trophy worth celebrating, though you'll catch plenty of 14-16 inchers that make great eating. Cold fronts often trigger some of the best trout fishing as they stack up in deeper holes.
Redfish are the bruisers of the flats, with their bronze backs and distinctive black spot near the tail. These drum species cruise shallow water hunting crabs and baitfish, often giving away their location with wakes and tailing behavior. A slot-sized red (18-27 inches) fights like a freight train, making multiple runs and testing your drag. They're year-round residents that feed aggressively in warmer months and school up during fall. Bull reds over 27 inches must be released, but they provide some of the most exciting fights you'll experience in shallow water.
OBX inshore fishing delivers consistent action for anglers ready to experience some of the East Coast's best light tackle fishing. This 6-hour charter gives you plenty of time to work different areas, target multiple species, and really get a feel for what makes these waters special. Captain Duck Hunter's local knowledge and flexible scheduling make it easy to plan around your vacation. Whether you're after a mess of fish for dinner or hoping to land your personal best, these productive waters rarely disappoint. The boat's ready, the fish are biting, and your spot is waiting. Give us a call and let's get your OBX fishing adventure on the calendar.
Get ready to fish the productive inshore waters of OBX aboard our reliable 20-foot Carolina Skiff. This well-maintained boat was built in 2006 and completely refurbished in 2018, powered by a dependable 75HP Yamaha Four Stroke that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly. The skiff comfortably handles up to four anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. We've equipped her with a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to spooky redfish and flounder, plus GPS navigation and a quality fish finder to locate structure and baitfish. Whether you're targeting drum in the shallows, working the grass flats for speckled trout, or drifting the channels for flounder, this shallow-draft boat can access those prime inshore spots where the big fish hang out. Perfect for both seasoned anglers and families looking to experience the excellent fishing that makes the Outer Banks famous.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of OBX inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and can push 40+ pounds when you find the big bulls. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, marsh grass, and muddy flats. Spring through fall offers prime fishing, but fall is magic when they school up for their spawning runs. What gets anglers hooked is their powerful fights and that distinctive black spot near their tail. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. These fish will eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, topwater plugs, or soft plastics. The real thrill comes from sight fishing when you can see them cruising the flats. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where it's heading and work your bait slowly back. They spook easily in skinny water, so stay quiet and make long casts.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are beautiful spotted fish that average 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in our waters. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action when they're actively feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're some of the best eating fish you'll catch - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great fighters that will jump and make runs when hooked. During cooler months, look for them schooled up in deeper channels. My favorite approach is working soft plastic shrimp or grubs around grass beds on light tackle. Keep your presentations subtle since they can be finicky, and don't overcook them - the meat is delicate and gets mushy if overdone.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of OBX with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though the occasional 20-pounder shows up around structure. These guys live around docks, bridge pilings, jetties, and any barnacle-covered structure where they scrape off their favorite meals. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with incredible bite detection, making every hookup feel earned. Plus, they're phenomenal eating with sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any fish in these waters. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure using fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep light tension on the line, and the moment you feel them nibbling, set that hook hard. Their crusher teeth will cut you off if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, bottom-dwelling fish that typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster bars, and along muddy creek mouths throughout the warmer months. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes them special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and they're fantastic table fare with sweet, mild white meat. My go-to tip: drift slowly with live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook since they like to mouth the bait first.
Outer Banks