Private 6 Hour Outer Banks Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private inshore fishing trip for up to five guestsTarget Cobia, Bull Redfish, Black Drum, and multiple speciesExtended time increases chances for successful catches
When a quick morning trip just isn't enough to scratch that fishing itch, this extended 6-hour charter gives you serious time to work the waters around the Outer Banks. Captain Mike and the Eastern OBX Guide Service team know these inshore waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on some of the best fishing North Carolina has to offer. You're looking at a solid day targeting heavyweight fighters like Bull Redfish, Cobia, and Black Drum – fish that'll test your drag and make your arms burn in the best possible way. This isn't your typical tourist trip; it's designed for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and come home with stories worth telling.
Your 6-hour adventure starts early when the bite is hot and the crowds haven't hit the water yet. We'll cruise out to productive inshore spots where the grass beds meet deeper channels – prime real estate for the species we're after. The beauty of having this much time is we can move around, follow the fish, and adapt to conditions as the day unfolds. Morning might find us working shallow flats for tailing Redfish, while the afternoon could have us drifting deeper structure for Cobia and Black Drum. The Outer Banks offers incredible diversity, from the sound side waters to the nearshore ocean, and we'll fish wherever the action is best. You'll spend most of your day with lines in the water, not running from spot to spot, which is exactly how productive fishing trips should go.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find them. Live bait is king out here – blue crabs for the big Bull Reds and Black Drum, finger mullet and menhaden for Cobia, and shrimp for the Spotted Seatrout and Flounder. When the Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish are schooled up, we'll switch to light tackle with small jigs and spoons for fast action. The boat comes rigged with quality Penn and Shimano gear, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. We'll match the tackle to the target – heavy enough to handle a 40-pound Bull Red but light enough to have fun with a keeper Flounder. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait fishing, and we always carry a good selection of weights and rigs for different conditions. GPS and fish finder technology help us locate structure and bait schools, but local knowledge is what really puts fish in the boat.
Bluefish have been the most consistent producers, especially during the cooler months when they school up in massive numbers around bait pods. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight dirty, making them perfect for getting everyone on the boat hooked up quickly. You'll find them in 10-30 feet of water, often feeding so aggressively they push baitfish right to the surface. They're not picky eaters – cut bait, live finger mullet, or metal jigs all work when they're in feeding mode.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds common during their spring and fall runs. These bottom huggers love structure – old pilings, oyster beds, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and clams. They're not fast, but they're incredibly strong, using their broad sides to bulldoze toward structure. The fight is all about endurance, and landing a big Black Drum is something you'll remember for years.
Summer Flounder, or "Fluke" as most anglers call them, are the masters of camouflage and one of the best eating fish in these waters. They lie flat on sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to ambush baitfish swimming overhead. The key is keeping your bait moving just off the bottom – too high and they won't see it, too low and you'll hang up on structure. A good keeper Flounder around 18-20 inches provides excellent table fare and a satisfying fight on light tackle.
Bull Redfish are the crown jewel of Outer Banks inshore fishing, with fish over 40 inches not uncommon during peak season. These copper-colored giants cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, often in schools that can number in the dozens. When you hook into a slot-sized Red around 27 inches, you'll understand why they're called "bull" – they make blistering runs and use every trick in the book to throw the hook. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with September and October being absolutely phenomenal.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good day into an epic one. These brown sharks look-alikes cruise near the surface, often following rays and other large fish. They're curious by nature and will investigate the boat, giving you heart-stopping moments as you watch a 30-pound fish decide whether to eat your bait. When they do commit, the fight is spectacular – long runs, jumps, and enough power to test your knots. Late spring and early summer are prime time, when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 70-80 degrees.
Six hours gives you the chance to experience the full range of what Outer Banks inshore fishing offers, from the excitement of sight-casting to tailing Reds to the satisfaction of a hard-earned Black Drum. The trip accommodates up to 5 anglers, making it perfect for small groups who want a personalized experience without the crowds. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. Weather can be a factor, especially during transitional seasons, but the extended timeframe gives us flexibility to work around brief showers or wind shifts. Pack sunscreen, bring a cooler for your catch, and get ready for a day of fishing that showcases why the Outer Banks has earned its reputation as one of the
Get ready to fish the productive inshore waters of the Outer Banks aboard this reliable 2021 C Hawk center console. This 23-footer cuts through North Carolina's coastal waters with ease, powered by a dependable 200HP Suzuki that'll cruise you to the best fishing spots at 30 knots. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 5 anglers, giving everyone room to work their lines without bumping elbows. Your captain will use the onboard fish finder to locate schools of Cobia, Bull Redfish, and Black Drum, while the GPS keeps you on productive structure and drop-offs. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot summer days on the water. Whether you're battling a trophy Red or working a school of Spanish Mackerel, this boat provides a stable platform for serious fishing. Perfect for groups looking to explore the rich inshore fishery that makes the Outer Banks a legendary destination.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, and we get some real bulls here in the Outer Banks. These fish typically range 10-30 pounds, but the big spawners can push 50-60 pounds or more. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in shallow water, though they'll move to depths up to 80 feet. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we target the big ones. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so they put up a serious fight once hooked. Smaller drum under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. The key to success is getting fresh crab or clam bait right on the bottom - these fish won't chase anything very far.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, making them a reliable target during prime fishing season. These blue-green backed fish typically run 3-10 pounds, though we see some pushing 15-20 pounds. They travel in schools and go into feeding frenzies, especially around baitfish like menhaden and anchovies. You'll find them in the surf, around inlets, and over structure in 10-50 feet of water. What makes them fun is their aggressive strikes and strong fight - they'll hit just about any lure or bait you throw at them. The meat is excellent when fresh, especially the smaller fish. My tip: when you find one bluefish, there's usually a whole school nearby, so keep working that area with fast-moving lures or cut bait.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our premier offshore targets - dark brown, shark-looking fish that average 30-50 pounds with some reaching 60-80 pounds. They're usually solitary rather than schooling, often found around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-100 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area and spawn. What makes them special is their incredible fight and top-notch table quality - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're curious fish that will often follow the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. We typically sight-fish for them on the surface or work bucktail jigs around structure. Pro tip: when you see one cobia, work the area thoroughly with different baits because they often cruise in pairs, and the bigger one usually shows up second.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most sought-after inshore targets, known for that distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-bronze coloring. Most fish we catch run 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds, but we get some bull reds over 40 inches that'll test your tackle. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-6 feet of water where you can actually sight-fish them. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they school up, but we catch them year-round in our warm Carolina waters. What makes them special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight, plus they're fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. The slot fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table. My go-to technique is working a gold spoon or soft plastic over shallow structure - keep it moving just fast enough to stay off the bottom.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are one of the most popular flatfish we target here. These "left-eyed" fish lie on sandy bottoms and ambush prey, using their camouflage to blend perfectly with the seafloor. Most run 15-20 inches and 2-4 pounds, but we catch some nice "doormat" fluke pushing 5-8 pounds. They're found in 10-60 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and sandy areas near inlets. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love them because they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The trick is using a slow drift with live minnows or sea worms on a bucktail jig - let it bounce bottom and give it little hops to trigger strikes from these ambush predators.
Outer Banks