Outer Banks Charter Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing targeting Flounder, Trout, and RedfishFour-hour trips available morning or afternoon schedulesSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests
The Outer Banks has earned its reputation as one of the East Coast's premier inshore fishing destinations, and Duck Hunter's charter service puts you right in the heart of the action. Our morning and afternoon trips give you flexible scheduling options while targeting some of North Carolina's most sought-after game fish. Whether you're casting your first line or you're a seasoned angler looking to add to your cooler, these OBX waters deliver consistent action that keeps folks coming back season after season.
Your half or full-day adventure accommodates up to four anglers, making it perfect for family trips or small groups of fishing buddies. We launch from the protected waters around Duck and push into the productive shallows where Southern Flounder, Redfish, and Sea Trout cruise the grass beds and structure. The Outer Banks' unique geography creates a maze of channels, oyster bars, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. Morning trips often capitalize on the dawn bite when fish are actively feeding, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still catch plenty of fish as the tide changes. The four-hour window gives you solid fishing time without feeling rushed, and our local knowledge means we're always adjusting to current conditions and fish movement patterns.
Duck Hunter employs a variety of proven methods depending on what the fish are doing and where we find them. Popping cork rigs with live or artificial shrimp work magic over grass beds when Redfish and Trout are shallow. Spinning tackle with soft plastics lets you work structure precisely, bouncing jigs along oyster bars where Sheepshead hang out. When fish are scattered or holding in deeper water, we'll drift natural baits to cover more ground efficiently. Jigging comes into play around bridges and hard bottom where Bluefish school up. All tackle and bait are provided, though you're welcome to bring your favorite rods if you prefer your own setup. We carry everything from light spinning gear for finesse fishing to heavier tackle when bigger fish are around. The boat is rigged with quality electronics to locate structure and bait schools, plus we maintain a live well for keeping bait frisky and your catch fresh.
Southern Flounder remain the crown jewel of OBX inshore fishing, with these flatfish growing hefty in the nutrient-rich waters around the barrier islands. Fall months bring the best Flounder action as fish fatten up before their offshore migration, though summer fishing stays consistent around structure. These ambush predators lie buried in sand near channel edges and grass lines, striking fast when prey drifts overhead. Landing a doormat Flounder over 20 inches gets your heart pumping, and the firm white meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table. Redfish patrol these waters in impressive numbers, especially during their autumn spawning runs when schools of bull Reds push through the inlets. These copper-colored bruisers fight hard in shallow water, making long runs and testing your drag. Slot-sized Reds between 18-27 inches provide excellent table fare, while the oversized bulls offer pure sport before release. Sea Trout, locally called Speckled Trout, thrive in the grass beds and around structure throughout the warmer months. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and sharp teeth respond well to both live and artificial presentations. A good Trout bite can keep rods bent all morning, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and occasional gator Trout pushing over 20. Sheepshead show up around any hard structure - bridge pilings, oyster bars, and rock piles where they feed on barnacles and crabs. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and require finesse to hook, but their fighting ability and excellent eating quality make them worth the effort. Bluefish provide non-stop action when schools move through, hitting everything from topwater plugs to cut bait with aggressive strikes that test your reflexes.
Duck Hunter's Outer Banks charter fishing trips deliver exactly what serious anglers expect - knowledgeable guides, productive fishing spots, and the flexibility to target multiple species using techniques that match current conditions. The combination of morning and afternoon departure times means you can fit fishing into any vacation schedule, while our four-person capacity keeps groups intimate and everyone gets plenty of fishing time. These OBX waters produce fish year-round, but each season brings its own opportunities and target species. Don't wait until you're already on the beach to book - the best charter dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. Secure your spot now and get ready to experience why the Outer Banks has become synonymous with world-class inshore fishing.
Your fishing platform for these OBX waters is a solid 2006 Carolina Skiff that got a complete makeover in 2018. At 20 feet, she's the perfect size for navigating the shallow inshore waters where the big reds and flounder like to hide. The 75HP Yamaha four-stroke provides reliable power to get you to the fishing grounds quickly while staying quiet enough not to spook the fish. The wireless trolling motor is a game-changer when you need to position silently over structure or work the grass flats. Modern GPS keeps you on the productive spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and marks bottom structure that holds the good fish. With room for four anglers, there's plenty of space to work lures without getting tangled up. This boat handles the OBX conditions well, from the sound side flats to the inlet waters, giving you access to the diverse inshore fishery that makes this area special.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are some of the most aggressive predators you'll encounter in OBX waters. These silver-blue fighters typically range 3-10 pounds, though we've seen 20+ pounders that'll test your drag. They travel in schools and feed like there's no tomorrow, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the water white. Summer through fall is peak season when they're chasing baitfish in the surf, inlets, and offshore. What guests love is their hard-hitting strikes and bulldogging fight - they don't give up easy. Plus, smaller "cocktail blues" make excellent table fare when prepared fresh. They'll hit just about anything - spoons, plugs, cut bait. Pro tip: use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. When you find one, there's usually more nearby.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing with their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. School fish run 18-27 inches, but we target bull reds over 30 inches that can really bend a rod. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow creeks. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively before winter. What makes them special is their powerful runs and ability to fight in skinny water - plus they're great eating at slot size. They'll eat cut bait, live shrimp, and artificial lures. The trick is sight fishing the flats during incoming tide. When you spot their backs or tails in shallow water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. Once hooked, hold on tight - they'll make long runs toward deeper water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a bread-and-butter species that consistently produce action in OBX waters. Most run 12-16 inches with occasional "gator trout" over 20 inches that really get your heart pumping. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow bays, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening being prime feeding times. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite and decent fight on light tackle, plus they make excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. The secret is working the edges of grass beds where they ambush baitfish. Use popping corks with live shrimp underneath - the noise draws them in from a distance and that cork going under is always exciting to watch.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with black bars and human-like teeth that'll surprise first-time anglers. Most run 2-5 pounds around dock pilings, bridges, and rocky structure where they feed on barnacles and crabs. They're year-round residents, but spring spawning season brings the biggest fish close to jetties and inlets. What makes them fun to target is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with soft bites that require patience and skill. The reward is some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, firm white meat. Use fiddler crabs or shrimp on small hooks and get your bait right against the structure. Here's the key: when you feel that subtle nibble, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately. Their crushing jaws make short work of light tackle once hooked.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise that'll keep you guessing. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, but you can land one up to 30+ inches if you're lucky. They bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms around inlets, creeks, and shallow bays, ambushing everything from shrimp to small fish. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. What makes them special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side and the ability to change colors to match the bottom. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: when drift fishing, use just enough weight to stay near bottom and watch for that subtle tap-tap bite. They're notorious bait thieves, so set the hook quick when you feel them.
Outer Banks