8 Hour Hatteras Inshore Nearshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore and nearshore fishing adventure in Hatteras waters.All fishing equipment and licenses included for hassle-free experience.Small group capacity of four guests with professional charter service.
When you're serious about fishing the legendary waters around Hatteras, NC, you don't settle for a quick half-day trip. This 8-hour inshore nearshore adventure with Got-em Inshore Charters gives you the time and flexibility to really work the water. We're talking about a full day where you can hit multiple spots, try different techniques, and target everything from hard-fighting redfish in the shallows to bruiser amberjack out in the nearshore zone. With all your gear and licenses covered, you just show up ready to fish. The Outer Banks didn't earn its reputation as a world-class fishing destination by accident – and this trip puts you right in the heart of the action.
This isn't your typical stick-to-one-spot kind of day. We've got 8 hours to work with, which means we can adapt to conditions, follow the bite, and give you a taste of what makes Hatteras fishing so special. We'll start by reading the water – checking tide charts, wind direction, and where the fish have been showing up lately. Some days that means working the grass flats for redfish and black drum, other days we're running out to structure for cobia and amberjack. The beauty of this extended trip is flexibility. If the inshore bite is hot, we can spend more time there. If the nearshore action is calling, we've got the range to chase it. You're fishing with a captain who knows these waters like the back of their hand, and with only 4 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention.
We'll be switching up our approach throughout the day based on what we're targeting. For inshore work, expect to throw everything from topwater plugs at first light to live bait around structure when the sun gets high. We've got spinning reels spooled with braided line for the sensitivity you need when working soft plastics through grass beds, and conventional setups ready for when we hook into something that wants to run. When we move nearshore, we're talking heavier tackle – the kind of gear that can handle a 40-pound amberjack trying to get back to the wreck. Bottom rigs with circle hooks for the drum, jigs for the cobia, and live bait setups that'll tempt just about anything swimming. All the rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait are included, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your fishing license – which we've got covered too.
Bluefish around Hatteras are the kind of aggressive feeders that'll make your day exciting in a hurry. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They'll hit just about any moving bait or lure, from spoons to live menhaden, and they fight hard with lots of head shaking and runs. Spring through fall is prime time, with the bigger blues – we're talking 5 to 15 pounders – showing up when the baitfish are thick. What makes them a customer favorite is the combination of aggressive strikes and excellent table fare when handled right.
Black drum in these waters are the heavyweights that'll test your patience and your drag system. These bottom dwellers can push 30, 40, even 50 pounds, and they use every ounce of that weight to fight you. They're structure-oriented fish that love oyster beds, bridge pilings, and drop-offs where they can root around for crabs and shellfish. The bite is often subtle – just a steady pull rather than a sharp strike – but once you set the hook, you're in for a bulldogging battle. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and catching a big black drum is one of those milestone fish that keeps anglers coming back to Hatteras.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Hatteras inshore fishing, and for good reason. These bronze-backed beauties are aggressive feeders that'll hit topwater baits, soft plastics, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. The slot-size fish – 18 to 27 inches – are perfect for dinner, while the over-slot bulls provide the kind of drag-screaming runs that get your heart pumping. They're year-round residents, but fall is when they really show off, schooling up in massive numbers during their spawning runs. What makes redfish special here is the variety of ways you can catch them – sight fishing in shallow water, working oyster bars, or fishing the surf line.
Greater amberjack are the nearshore powerhouses that separate the serious anglers from the weekend warriors. These fish live around wrecks and hard bottom, and when you hook a 40 or 50-pound AJ, you better be ready for a fight. They'll make long, powerful runs and try to get back to structure to break you off. The technique here is often live bait fishing or heavy jigs worked around the bottom, and the payoff is some of the strongest fish you'll find in North Carolina waters. Summer months are prime time when they're most active, and landing a big amberjack is a badge of honor among Outer Banks anglers.
Cobia are the opportunistic predators that can show up anywhere from the shallows to the nearshore zones. These brown sharks – as some folks call them – are curious fish that'll often come right up to the boat to investigate. They're excellent table fare and notorious fighters, using their broad tails and strong bodies to make impressive runs. Spring migration brings the best cobia fishing to Hatteras, when fish in the 30 to 50-pound range cruise the area looking for an easy meal. What makes cobia fishing so exciting is the variety – you might sight-cast to one cruising the surface or catch one on a bottom rig meant for something else entirely.
Set sail aboard our reliable 25' Parker Center Console for your full-day Hatteras fishing adventure. This well-built 2005 vessel runs smooth with its 250HP Suzuki engine, cruising comfortably at 25 knots to get you to the best fishing spots without wasting time. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish, accommodating up to 4 anglers with space to move around. You'll appreciate the onboard icebox keeping your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long hours on the water. The GPS navigation system gets you to productive waters efficiently, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where the fish are holding. Whether we're working the inshore flats for speckled trout and redfish or heading to nearshore waters for cobia and king mackerel, this boat handles both environments perfectly. The flybridge provides an elevated platform for spotting fish and gives the captain excellent visibility in all conditions.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, ranging from 5-30 pounds in our waters with some bruisers pushing 50+. These gray-black fish with chin whiskers hang around oyster beds, muddy flats, and bridge pilings in 2-15 feet of water year-round, but spring brings the best action when they school up to spawn. They're powerful fighters that use their weight and the structure to their advantage. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. You'll want fresh crab or cut bait fished right on the bottom since they're primarily bottom feeders crushing shellfish. Here's the key: use just enough weight to hold bottom and watch for subtle taps - drum don't slam baits like other fish.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that run 5-20 pounds around Hatteras, with their razor-sharp teeth and blue-green backs making them easy to identify. These fish travel in schools through our waters from spring through fall, hitting everything from live bait to metal jigs with serious attitude. You'll find them in 10-50 feet of water around bait schools, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the surface. They fight hard with long runs and are decent eating when bled immediately and kept cold. The smaller "cocktail blues" under 5 pounds are the best table fare. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - their teeth will slice through regular line in seconds, and always keep your fingers clear when unhooking them.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our most prized catches, averaging 30-60 pounds with that distinctive brown color and shark-like appearance that fools a lot of anglers at first glance. These fish are loners, cruising alone or in small groups around buoys, channel markers, and nearshore structure in 15-80 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime season when they migrate through our area and are most active on the surface. What makes them special is the combination of size, fight, and incredible table quality - firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. They're curious fish that will often follow the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Key tip: when you spot one, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly - they like to inspect before they eat, and patience pays off big time.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the muscle cars of nearshore fishing, typically running 20-50 pounds with some real tanks pushing 60+ around our wrecks and reefs. These silvery-blue bruisers with that amber stripe live on structure in 40-120 feet of water, especially around shipwrecks where they ambush baitfish. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're most aggressive and closer to shore. What makes them special is their raw power - they'll test your drag and endurance with deep, punishing runs. The meat is excellent when prepared right, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. Live bait works best, but heavy jigs get crushed too. Here's the deal: once you hook one, keep constant pressure and don't let them get back to the wreck or you'll get cut off every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, averaging 18-35 inches with that signature copper color and black spot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges where you can actually see their backs or tails sticking out. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active and aggressive. They're fantastic fighters with strong runs and bulldogging power, plus they make excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. What gets anglers hooked is watching them cruise the shallows and getting that visual strike. My go-to tip: cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sit still - redfish spook easily but curiosity usually wins if you're patient.
Washington