Sunset Charter Fishing in the Outer Banks
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sunset inshore fishing charter accommodates up to four guestsTarget impressive catches during golden hour waterway fishingDuck Hunter guides provide local Outer Banks expertise
There's something magical about watching the sun paint the OBX sky in shades of orange and pink while you've got a line in the water. Duck Hunter's sunset charter fishing trips combine the best of both worlds – prime fishing time and one of the most beautiful shows nature puts on. We're talking about those golden hour moments when the fish are biting and the backdrop looks like something straight out of a postcard. Our 4-person capacity keeps things intimate, so you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with a crowded boat. Just you, your crew, and some of the best inshore fishing the Outer Banks has to offer.
Our sunset trips hit the sweet spot when the daytime boat traffic dies down and the fish start getting active again. We launch from the sound side where the water stays calmer, perfect for that relaxed vibe you're looking for. The beauty of inshore fishing here is that we're working the grass beds, oyster bars, and shallow structure where these fish love to hang out. You'll feel the difference immediately – no heavy seas, no long runs to the fishing grounds. We're talking about productive water that's just minutes from the dock. The boat stays steady while you work your bait, and when that rod tip starts dancing, you know you're connected to something special. Captain and crew handle all the navigation and fish-finding tech, so you can focus on what you came here for.
We run light to medium tackle that gives you a real fight without being overkill for these inshore species. Live bait is king out here – fresh shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows that we either catch fresh or pick up from local bait shops. Depending on what's biting, we'll set you up with everything from popping cork rigs for the grass beds to bottom rigs for working the deeper holes. The shallow water means we can sight-fish when conditions are right, watching for wakes and nervous water that give away where the fish are feeding. Artificial lures come into play too – soft plastics on jig heads, topwater plugs during the evening bite, and spoons that flash in the fading light. We keep multiple rods rigged so you can switch techniques quickly when the bite changes, which it often does as the sun drops lower.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of our fall and winter fishing here. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in the sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. What makes them so fun to catch is that they often hit hard and then put up a surprisingly strong fight for a fish that spends most of its time lying flat. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore migration, and we regularly see fish in the 3 to 6 pound range with some real doormat-sized fish mixed in. They love live finger mullet dragged slowly across the bottom, and there's nothing quite like watching that rod tip bounce as a big flounder chews on your bait.
Striped Bass, or rockfish as the locals call them, show up in good numbers during their spring and fall migrations. These fish are pure muscle and attitude – when a striper grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. They hit hard and make strong runs, often jumping clear of the water. The fish we catch inshore typically run from 20 to 35 inches, with some real cows mixed in during peak season. Live eels and large shrimp work great, but they'll also slam topwater plugs during low-light periods. What makes stripers special is their unpredictability – one minute they're busting bait on the surface, the next they've disappeared into deeper water.
Sea Trout are probably the most consistent biters we have in these waters. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and summer evenings. Speckled trout are sight feeders with excellent eyesight, making them perfect targets for our sunset trips when they move shallow to feed. A 2 to 4 pound trout puts up a scrappy fight with lots of head shaking and short runs. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, and the bite often gets better as the light fades. The bonus is that they school up, so when you find one, there are usually more in the area.
Redfish are the power hitters of our inshore waters. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallows looking for crabs and small fish, often with their backs or tails showing above the surface. A slot-sized red drum will test your tackle and your technique – they make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight against the current. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, when they're most active in the shallows. Cut bait works well, but watching a red drum crush a topwater lure in two feet of water is fishing at its finest. They're also one of the few fish that actually seem to get stronger as the fight goes on.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience what makes the Outer Banks special. The combination of productive fishing and natural beauty creates something you won't find anywhere else. Our small group size means personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to try something different, these sunset charters deliver on both fronts. The fish are biting, the scenery is world-class, and the memories you'll make will last long after the sun goes down. Don't wait around – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season. Give us a call and let's get you on the water for an evening you won't forget.
Cruise the Outer Banks shallows aboard our reliable 20-foot Carolina Skiff, perfectly suited for targeting redfish, flounder, and speckled trout in the pristine inshore waters. This well-maintained 2006 vessel received a complete makeover in 2018 and runs smooth with a dependable 75HP Yamaha Four Stroke that gets you to the fishing grounds quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip into skinny water without spooking fish, while the GPS keeps us on productive spots and the fish finder reveals what's lurking below. With room for up to four anglers, there's plenty of casting space whether you're working topwater plugs at first light or bouncing soft plastics along grass beds. The shallow draft design opens up back-country creeks and flats that bigger boats can't reach, putting you right where the fish are feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are built like copper-colored bulldogs with that signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big bulls offshore can hit 40+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet. They're year-round residents here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love is their power - they'll make long, determined runs and fight dirty near structure. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live crab. Local secret: on calm days, pole the skinny water and look for their copper backs or tailing fish. A weedless spoon worked slowly is deadly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are some of the prettiest fish in our waters with silver sides covered in distinct black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. You'll find them over sandy bottoms near structure in 3-8 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with early morning and evening being prime times. They're scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so keep steady pressure without horsing them. The meat is delicate and white - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They school up in winter in deeper channels. Pro tip: use light tackle with live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The cork sound attracts them, and when it goes under, set the hook gently but quickly.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. You'll recognize them by both eyes being on the left side of their head and those distinctive light and dark blotches. Most run 15-18 inches, but we've seen some push over 30 inches. They hang out in shallow bays, estuaries, and around structure in 5-20 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when they move offshore. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strike when they decide to hit - no gentle nibbling here. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My tip: use a slip sinker rig with live mullet or shrimp, and when you feel that thump, wait a beat before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the workhorses of our inshore waters, running 20-40 pounds on average with those classic dark horizontal stripes. They love structure - around pilings, jetties, and drop-offs where baitfish get pushed around by current. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're actively feeding. These fish fight hard with powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect for the grill. They're smart feeders too, often schooling up to chase bait balls at dawn and dusk. During our sunset trips, watch for birds working the water - that's usually stripers pushing bait to the surface. Live eels work great, but here's a local trick: when you see them busting bait topside, throw a large topwater plug right into the commotion.
Outer Banks